OPERA WATCH.(Review)

1. The Opera Comique is a principal location for writer/director SALLY POTTER's new Universal Focus film THE MAN WHO CRIED, the story of a refugee Russian Jewish girl who joins the chorus of a Parisian opera company in 1939. The Comique stage showcases scenes from Il Trovatore, Tosca and Les Pecheurs de Perles, all featuring JOHN TURTURRO, cast as Dante Dominio, leading tenor of the fictional opera troupe. Turturro's singing voice is provided by SALVATORE LICITRA, who makes his recording debut with the Man Who Cried soundtrack. Licitra, who opened the 2000-01 season at La Scala as Manrico in Il Trovatore, will be featured in Sony Classical's new complete recording of that opera conducted by Riccardo Muti and scheduled for release in the fall. The Man Who Cried also features original music by Osvaldo Golijov and performances by the Kronos Quartet, the Romanian Gypsy ensemble Taraf de Haidouks and duo-pianists Katia and Marielle Labeque. Turturro's on-screen co-stars are CHRISTINA RICCI, JOHNNY DEPP and CATE BLANCHETT.

2. Congratulations to WALDEMAR KMENTT, who at seventy-two made his Metropolitan Opera debut this season as the Major-domo in Ariadne auf Naxos. (See review on p. 55.) Why did it take him so long to arrive at the Met? "It is not my fault," he said shortly after the Ariadne first night. "I would have arrived here before, but I was not asked! But it is better to be late than never, as you say here. This was a wonderful opportunity, wonderful cast. And with JAMES LEVINE to conduct! A really very happy occasion ...