Tracy Dahl stepped in as an admirable substitute, then did it again and again -- and yet again, as Swenson missed four performances with a seemingly unshakable viral infection.
Her return to the stage found Swenson in strong form but not at her unmatchable best. Her vocalism was vibrant and shapely, particularly in the mad scene, which came through with heart-tugging intensity.
She lavished lustrous tone on ``Regnava nel silenzio'' in Act 1 and followed it with a deftly ornamented account of ``Quando rapito in estasi.'' Her coloratura was silvery and precise throughout.
At the same time, there was evidence of strain in her upper range, especially in the Act 2 duet that followed the fire alarm. And a general air of tentativeness surrounded the performance, suggesting that Swenson may still be feeling her way back to full health./ Review |
