At the opening night of a new Metropolitan Opera production of Giacomo Puccini'sTosca on Monday night, the performance by Finnish soprano Karita Mattila in the title-role was generally well-received by the New York public and the critics alike, but the director Luc Bondy got a right royal roasting.
When Mattila called out the director to join her on stage for the closing curtain-calls, the audience erupted in loud boos and jeers.
Bondy's direction was not at all to the New Yorkers' liking, in particular the second act of the opera, where the villain Scarpia was surrounded by a harem of female escorts in various stages of undress, performing simulated oral sex on him.
The critics particularly warmed to Mattila's acting performance and credibility, although there were some reservations about her suitability as a natural Tosca.
We shall present a full review of the opening night in our weeklies next week.
