Tosca: “E lucevan le stelle”

Michael Fabiano sings an excerpt from Cavaradossi’s Act III aria in the final dress rehearsal. Production: David McVicar. Conductor: Carlo Rizzi. 2022–23 season. Videography by Neville Braithwaite.

[rosy]

Un ténor talentueux et bien en voix ! Bravo !

[BrunoNeroAzzurro]

Un grande tenore
.dalla voce potente e chiara
.... l' ho visto recentemente a Napoli..nella Luisa Miller

[larrychan]

Wonderful performance, it should satisfy the audience that are hungry for that Pavarotti-like dynamic and sensitivity.
As a previous poster noted, his control is exacting.

[bothcarmen]

WOW! VERY NICE! SUPERB!! 🙏❤️❤️❤️🌹🌹🌹 Congratulations! MAESTRO!! 🙏❤️❤️❤️🌹🌹🌹💥

[bobcparker]

Excellent. Good tone and controlled emotion.

[pryan]

Operawire excerpt Re: Fabiano performance Opening Night-
To which I’ll say- I totally agree, having also been there.

“A Place Among the Greats
Michael Fabiano as Cavaradossi. One word: supernatural. Anyone who’s heard him knows the sheer power of his voice. At the closing of “Mario! Mario! Mario!”, with all eyes focused on Kurzak, Fabiano came out of nowhere from stage right with a stupendous, forte high B flat on the “Ah!” of “Ah! M’avvinci ne’tuoilacci.” Fabiano possesses an instrument handed down from the greats. It’s thrilling, it’s brilliant, and he stands among the most esteemed tenors of our time. That’s why we love to see him in action. However, the same awe-inspiring B flat destroyed any chance of hearing Kurzak, not because she’s not powerful enough for the role, but because Fabiano can overpower almost anyone on stage. As the evening progressed, adjustments were made and the Fabiano/Kurzak pairing was more balanced.

Fabiano’s entrance was fiery, confident, and in charge. His Cavaradossi got in people’s faces. He was not a timid painter; he was a painter with an attitude, unless with Tosca. Her coquettish playfulness held threats, which he took seriously.

Tenors face an early test in “Tosca.” They need to come out ready to sing “Recondita armonia” with its high tessitura, high A’s, and a big B flat towards the end, which Fabiano sat on. Was he grandstanding in doing so? Perhaps, but let’s put his bravura Act one in context. Fabiano is a North Jersey guy, so singing at the Met is a homecoming of sorts. Of course, he’s going to put on a barnburner performance for the home crowd. But also, this was a rainy Tuesday evening performance, with empty seats. Things felt weighed down, not just subdued, but heavy. Fabiano changed that. The electricity he brought flowed into the audience and got the blood pumping. His singing was a delight for the ears and caviar for the musical mind. This is what audiences come to hear, and Fabiano delivered it in spades. Likewise, with “Vittoria! Vittoria!”

“E lucevan le stelle” is to Cavaradossi as “Vissi d’Arte” is to Tosca. It’s the big tenor moment the audience waits for all evening. Fabiano showed his versatility, both with his acting and his singing. Gone were the trumpet blast notes of the happy and in-love painter. The piece is gut-wrenching and one of the most beautiful tenor arias. Fabiano took it slow, letting the audience take in his lovely legato lines. When singing the words “… forme disciogliea dai veli, ” Fabiano used his head voice to sing the high notes—the top note being a high A. It was a surprise and going falsetto gave the impression of shying away from the topmost notes. Whatever the reason for the head voice, he sang a full-throated high A a few bars later, and, again, he sat on the note, and it felt right, not showy. Passion filled each note”.

[patriciapaape]

What a beautiful voice. Reminds me of Giuseppe di Stefano.♪♫•*♫♪ ¨*•♫♪

[jannetashabshis]

BUTIFYL, SACH A TALLANT NOW!!! SENKY AND GOOD LUK WITH YOU OPERA PROFORMENSIS!!!

[operafairy]

So bad dynamic, so forcing, uneven, almost flat sound without proper chest support, no colours, no chiaroscuro, weak climax, piani without any projection and emotionally sterile deliver. Plus Carreras-like emission which will not lasting too long.

[catherinecozzano]

Fabiano is more concerned with the sound than with the interpretation. He forces too much to catch the applause. He doesn’t feel what he’s singing. Quite disappointing on the whole.

[operalover]

So sad seeing what Met became these days. Only a few exceptions..

[n_kit]

He started off great and amazing. But he didn't have the strength for more

[siukola]

He is a good Cavaradossi, but not outstanding.
There are a lot tenors like him.

[oksanasum]

I could only enjoy him with my eyes closed, his acting is terrible, sometimes ridiculously out of context!