The Gold & Silver Gala

Placido Domingo headlines the Gold and Silver Gala honoring London's Royal Opera House's 50th birthday and 25 years of his work there, and introduces opera stars of the future. Angelina Gheorghiu commands attention through her fascinating, aggressive interpretation and sensitive musicality, even if the tone is not always even. Roberto Alagna's pleasing, inherently beautiful voice, part Pavarotti lyricism, part Domingo dramatic depth, titillates the ear, but his musical instincts are undeveloped and need grooming. In the duet from Don Carlos, Dwayne Croft's rich, open baritone does a synchronized swim in the pool of Domingo's dark tenor. Leontina Vaduva's pretty voice, but pretentious phrasing makes for a charmless Norina and a graceless and indelicate Adina. An interesting look into opera's future. --Barbara Eisner Bayer