Roberto Alagna doesn't scare easily. Scheduled to sing Pinkerton in Anthony Minghella's production of Puccini's Madama Butterfly this fall, he also stepped in at the eleventh hour to replace two ailing colleagues, as Rom_o in Rom_o et Juliette and, more dauntingly, as Radams in Aida. This last was a role he hadn't sung since a highly publicized performance at La Scala a year ago that ended in controversy.
The tenor faces another challenge on December 15, when he stars in Rom_o opposite Anna Netrebko for the season's first live high-definition performance transmission into movie theaters around the world. Between rehearsals and performances, he spoke to the Met's Philipp Brieler about exorcising demons, singing on camera, and how Mario Lanza changed his life.
Three major roles in three weeks! How did that that come about?
Eight or nine months ago, Peter Gelb called me and said, "We had this great success with this new Butterfly, and Anthony Minghella would like to work with you. Would you like to do Pinkerton?" I thought, "Oh, my God, I have never sung this role, and I have no time to learn." But I knew Minghella and his movies — he's a great director. So Peter sent me a DVD, and I told him, "Okay, it's a beautiful production. I will do it."
Then several months later, he called again and said, "Rolando Villaz‹n has had to cancel Rom_o, and it's very important because it's the second performance of the season. Would you like to sing, since you'll be here anyway?" I said, "Peter! When will I learn Butterfly?!"
And Rom_o and Pinkerton seem like a breeze next to Radams ...
That was like a sign of destiny. I had decided to retire the role from my repertory. I thought, maybe I'm wrong, maybe it's not for me. I read everywhere that nobody wants me in Aida, and I had already called the director of [the Gran Teatre del Liceu in] Barcelona to tell him I wanted to cancel the performances next month.
But when the Met called me, I thought it was a strange sign. I told myself, maybe it will be my last Radams, but I need to try it one more time. To exorcize the ghost. And I was right to do that. It was a big success, but that's not what really matters. It's more what I feel on stage, inside.
When you sing Rom_o on December 15, you will perform for 3,800 people at the Met and tens of thousands more around the world watching the HD transmission. How do you feel about the HD series as a way to spread the word about opera?
I think it's very important to do it. It's a way to show opera is alive, that it's still music of today. [The transmissions] give us the opportunity to bring it to many people — to young people, people who never go to the opera. So they can become interested in it because something catches their attention.
You know, I came to opera because I saw Mario Lanza on television. Thank God I had this opportunity, because it put the flame inside me. And maybe in those thousands of people there will be one young guy watching who realizes he wants to be in opera. So it's not just about new audiences, it's also about new singers!
Does it make a difference to you when you're singing to know there's a camera?
Yes. When you have a camera you must think only for the camera. You have to forget the audience to be credible. You can't turn your face to them or look at the conductor as much as usual, because when you do, people go away from your character. You have to open your mouth less, and all gestures must be smaller.
I've produced four DVDs myself, with my brothers, and I have some experience with this. To me, it's very important for it to be like a real movie. Everything has to be in your eyes. And you can't step out of the character even for one frame. Normally, when you're on stage, there are moments when you can relax or even make a joke, but not with a camera. It's about the character, all the time.
But at the same time, you're also singing for the audience in the theater.
Yes, and you know what? Whenever you sing for the camera, it's also good for the audience. Sometimes, I like to think that they're filming me, even if there's no camera. And each time the show is better!
