mad...

the most incredible opera performance i ever saw was a production of Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor sung by Sumi Jo. It was also a total fluke.

i was in paris on one of my annual jaunts and had purchased ticket for the Opera Bastille. Each time i go to opera in paris it seems that something doesn't work right. once, i went when the country was having a rolling series of grêves, ie "strikes." each night a different type worker went on strike. One night it was the lighting people. another night it was the stage hands. it's always fun.

this night, of Lucia di Lammermoor, the entire main cast had the flu and couldn't perform. after all of the disappointment sighs from the announcement ended, the replacement cast was announced. Sumi Jo was going to sing the Lucia. There was instant excitement.

excitement was too mild of a term. this spectacle (the french word for "performance") was the most extraordinary happening i've ever been to hear. to this day, i still don't remember who was in the original cast.

Sumi Jo's portrayal in what is known as the mad scene brought about a 20 minute standing ovation in the middle of the opera. i had never been witness to this. american audiences are polite and will only applaude for a conservative amount of time. the europeans let a performer know when they have done something memorable. not only do they do it through extended applause but also, the ultimate, with the entire audience clapping in unison.

this night and this performance was by far the most incredible musical experience i've ever had.

so, i give to you Sumi Jo in the mad scene from Lucia di Lammermoor. Sadly, this is not the perfomance i saw. that was a once in a lifetime happening. it is splendid none the less.




gives a whole new meaning to mad, doesn't it?