Metropolitan Opera Archives

On Saturday at the Metropolitan Opera there were cast changes in the four major roles of Puccini's "Turandot." The news was made by Ruth Ann Swenson, in her first Liu.

This verismo role was a departure for Ms. Swenson, who excels in the bel canto coloratura repertory. And some listeners will prefer an innately darker, heavier soprano voice as Liu. But by focusing her sound and drawing upon the deeper colors of her timbre, Ms. Swenson's singing had a resonance that filled out the music effectively. Best of all, she brought soaring, unforced beauty and supple lyricism to Liu's highflying pianissimo phrases. Her performance sometimes seemed tentative; she will no doubt gain confidence in the role. The enormous ovation for her venture into Puccini must have been rewarding.

The soprano Eva Marton, who sang Turandot when this 1987 Franco Zeffirelli production was introduced, was back in the role. Ms. Marton was once a thrilling Turandot. But, though she is just 54, her voice is a sad remnant of what it was. She makes a lot of sound, but there is a wide wobble in her singing and her tone is often strident.

The Icelandic tenor Kristjan Johannsson, as Calaf, did little to change the impression from his earlier appearances at the Met that he is a bellower. Sergei Kopchak was solid and dignified as Timur. Nello Santi conducted with a subtlety that was too often wasted, at least during Ms. Marton's and Mr. Johannsson's shouting matches.

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