Who's Hot at the MET

#1 ) Anna Netrebko is going to be a wonderful Elvira in I Puritani. It is one of my favorite "Callas" roles. I believe Callas recorded it in 1958. I think it is a good choice for Netrebko because it is bel canto and the costumes are beautiful and so is she. Also, she has the vocal weight to give us a big sound. She also will get to sing Qui la voce sua soave and Son vergin vezzosa two beautiful arias that were last made famous by Dame Joan Sutherland. This leaves me to think that Miss Netrebko is going to provoke another bel canto revival worldwide and I sure hope so. Radio Broadcast January 6, 2007, 1:30 WQXR

#2 )Cristina Gallardo-Domâs - is making her debut as Cio-Cio San opening night and there is a free rehearsal open to the public. She must be planning to max out ticket sales. And although I didn't see this new star rising, I suspect she is a sure bet. Because why would they put an unknown in this role on opening night. We will see. She is also alternating Mimi with Netrebko which will be broadcast February 3, 2007, 1:30 WQXR

#3 )Marcello Giordani - I'm going to have to stick this tenor in here because he is HOT. Marcello is singing Pinkerton to Gallardo-Domas' Cio-Cio San opening night and for the rehearsal. He is also singing Gabriele with Angela Gheorghiu in Simon Boccanegra.

#4 ) Angela Gheorghiu - The magnificent Angela Gheorghiu sings Amelia in Simone Bocannegra, and Marcello Giordani is her lover Gabriele, in this tale of political struggle and abduction in 14th-century Genoa.

#5 ) Patricia Racette - I think the surprise of the year is going to be Patricia Racette in Don Carlo Broadcast December 23, 2006, 1:00 p.m. ET WQXR. Girlfriend got rave reviews from her Madama Butterfly out West this year and I want to give a shout out to Pat to "continue the trend" of real vocalism. Viva Verdi!

#6 ) Dolora Zajick - As Azucena in Chicago Lyric's Il trovatore - You can't get any HOTTER than this. Sondra Radvanovsky portrays Leonora so this is going to be HOT. These ladies are smokin.

#7 ) Ana Maria Martinez - As Donna Elvira in Chicago Lyric's Don Giovanni. Everyone needs to keep an eye on this girl. She sang Michaela in Denyce Graves' Carmen and this girl has pianissimi for days. Hopefully she will be the next Liu with those piannisimi con morbido.