Lithuanians in the News
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24th December, 2006
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A Triumph for Lithuanian Diva Violeta Urmana |
![]() Violeta Urmana as Aida.
Photo courtesy "Lietuvos Rytas" It is the first time ever in the history of "La Scala" that the leading role in a premiere of "Aida" has been entrusted to ![]() Violeta Urmana and Roberto Alagna after the premiere.
Photo courtesy "Lietuvos Rytas" After the premiere an enthusiastic audience continued with the applause for a full quarter of an hour. The lavish production of "Aida" was directed by the famous Italian director Franco Zefirelli and the conductor was Riccardo Chailly. In the audience were many distinguished personages, including Italy’s Prime Minister Romano Prodi and Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel. Even with tickets costing 2,000 euros and more, all the seats were sold out. But "Aida’s" premiere did not pass without controversy. On the second night, the tenor in the role of Radames, the Frenchman Roberto Alagna, did not take kindly to ‘boos’ from the audience and walked off stage. His role was quickly taken by his understudy Antonelli Palombi, still dressed in jeans and a black shirt! Urmana had been waiting in the wings for her cue, when all this happened, and then continued with her role unnerved, but unfazed. Further information: Lietuvos Rytas www.lrytas.lt 9,16/12/06 The Sydney Morning Herald, www.smh.com.au 13/12/06 |