I really want to hate her.

Nobody turns me off more in opera today than Angela Gheorghiu. I have heard enough horror stories from public and private sources, not to mention having had her cancel two performances to which I had tickets (one in the wake of 9-11, for which I can forgive her and another after the start of the Iraq war, for which I can't). I've read too many interviews (like this one in the Independent, courtesy of Andante.com), where I imagine she thinks she's behaving like a prima donna, but to me sounds only petulant. Her husband, Alagna, while somewhat erratic himself, comes off to me as likeable. She's just frightening.

So it is with some trepidation that I gave a listen to her new Puccini album, mostly because it has been pretty well praised in the press. Well, despite myself I liked it. There is something about the quality of her voice that seems fragile while at the same time conveys strength. The whole thing is not necessary on the same level (Tu che di gel from Turandot is somewhat anonymous and Laggiu nel Soledad underpowered) but there are a few gems here. I imagine that someday she will be very good in Manon Lescaut and for me Sola, perduta, abbandonata is a highlight of the album along with the Edgar and Le Villi arias. In questa reggia is beautiful if, well, wrong.

She's beautiful and a lovely artist. But I hope I never meet her in a dark alley.