ANNA NETREBKO - THE ELIXER OF LOVE

OPERA DIVA - ANNA NETREBKO - LOVELY & TALENTEDThe Metropolitan Opera opened the 2012-13 season with a fantastic deja-vu!  Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore starring AnnaNETREBKO AS ADINA - L'ALISER D'AMORE - DONIZETTI Netrebko as Adina.  One year ago the opera debuted a new production of Anna Bolena, another Donizetti Opera, with the title role performed by the hottest newcomer to the opera world in the last decade - Anna Netrebko.   That Donizetti opera was staged with a dark and dramatic set and Netrebko blew audiences away.   In the year since this production, Anna has continued to set the Opera world on fire.   Her career is in superstar territory, and her schedule is probably booked for the next 5 years.   **Performances on this scale are planned years in advance and the scheduling of all the talent on stage and in the orchestra pit must be as daunting a task as one can imagine**  In this Donizetti Opera,  Netrebko's Adina was playful, seductive, and powerful!  The most exciting part of the show was to see how comfortable Ms. Netrebko has become on stage.  Her energy was real and she was clearly having a good time.  If not, she deserves an Oscar in addition to a Grammy!

Netrebko was born in Russia, now resides in Vienna, and is truly a citizen of the world.  Her schedule MARGIE STERN - GIVING FASHION AT THE MET BALL, WITH YOURS TRULYnow takes her around the world, as every major Opera company in the world is anxious to have Anna perform.   Netrebko is destined for world of showbiz.   The fashion world is courting her now.   The world is her oyster, and this pearl of Russia is ready for her close up!  

I am lucky enough to have been invited to the debut performances of both Anna Bolena & L'eliser d'amore.  The opening gala brings out the chicest society crowd in New York.   Gowns, jewels, and divas - the kind that don't perform on a stage!

The opening gala raises millions of dollars to fund the production.  The costs are staggering for these elaborate shows.    

There was fashion all around.  Martha Stewart was beautiful in chocolate brown, and Courtney Love in black lace.   Designers Oscar de la Renta and Zac Posen aka Zac Poison were also on hand.