Well, Alwyn Mellor’s “vocal allergy” was later diagnosed as a viral infection, and she had to cancel last night’s performance. At least the audience who came for this first of Seattle’s RING cycles (of three) had the pleasure of hearing her impressive Seattle debut in DIE WALKUERE on Monday evening.
I doubt if anyone in the audience could have been too disappointed, though, since understudy Lori Phillips rose to the challenge magnificently. With weeks of observing rehearsals she knew the blocking, but with little musical rehearsal and absolutely no time with the orchestra or the conductor, this was an impressive feat. Read more →