This is musically, probably one of my favorite operas. And this production by Willy Decker is one of my favorites as well. Today’s performance was conducted by Yannick Nezet-Seguin and featured Diana Damrau as Violette, Saimir Pirgu as Alfredo and Placido Domingo as Alfredo’s father.

The performance started out a little flat – not in pitch, but in energy. From all the way up in the balcony it was difficult to hear the singers. This was something I have not had a problem with at the Met. As the opera progressed, though, the energy picked up as well. Maybe it was because it was a matinee. Despite my criticism, the audience was quite appreciative, particularly of the performances of Damrau and Domingo.