FROM AROUND THE WORLD: PHILADELPHIA.(Review)

Star singers and seasoned conductors have been missing from Opera Company of Philadelphia's productions in recent years. The difference they make could be heard in Rossini's L'Italiana in Algeri at the Academy of Music on November 8. In his company debut, Italian maestro Corrado Rovaris shaped a buoyant but elegant musical performance. After a deftly paced, crisply articulated account of the overture, Rovaris crafted graceful, pliant accompaniments for the singers and built the act-ending ensembles to exciting climaxes. Dominating the performance were Stephanie Blythe and Juan Diego Florez.

To her first Isabella, Blythe brought a delightful sense of comic timing and a delicious command of the music. The tall, grandly proportioned mezzo-soprano won the audience at her first entrance. Blythe's rich-toned, caramel-colored voice flowed seamlessly through Isabella's entrance cavatina and then shot with sparkling ease through the florid conclusion. Toying with the vocal line of "Per lui che adoro," Blythe beguiled all three of her suitors with the insinuating grace and melting charm of her singing.

In his American debut, Florez proved a captivating artist. Aside from a few edgy top notes, his tightly strung voice soared suavely through Lindoro's ornate vocal lines. Shaping the music like an instrumentalist, he molded phrases elegantly and articulated the filigree with ease. Adding to the appeal of his singing, Florez revealed a winningly eager stage presence.

This "Italian Girl" looked almost as good ...