Thomas,
I know you're a Renee Fleming fan. As I said before, I've had problems of long-standing with her artistry and taste, though never with the quality of her voice. She has truly pulled it all together and is obeying the scores again. I heard her Desdemona in Verdi's Otello and she was sensational, fastidious and reckless at once. After her final act scena the audience was rapt and did not applaud. She so subordinated herself to the drama that the audience simply knew not to break the unbearable tension. No diva turn. She looked as beautiful as she sounded (needless to say).
Perhaps her ten or so years of noodling were a necessary experiment that brought her to this final fulfillment, as some of her stylistic marks were still apparent, though now employed sparingly and heartbreakingly. Even if so, it's hard not to regret those ten years. Ten years are an eternity in the career of a lyric soprano, even one with as large and healthy a voice as she has. I'll hope for ten more.
Best,
Michael
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