by Mickie

I thought nothing would ever top Hartford, but Philadelphia was magic! Maybe because we were in the front row, and so close, but also because I've never heard anything so wonderful. Andrea gave the performance of his life! He was a little nervous at first, fiddling always with his foot marker, but he loosened up (and he also wore a tux that fit). He sang every note with an emotion I've never seen before. He brought tears to my eyes.



When he sang "Core 'ngrato" his left fist was closed so tight, like he really was feeling the pain of the song, and then at one point he hit himself in the thigh with his right hand, while he was singing. It was really something to see and hear. And when Martinez sang "Si, mi chiamano Mimi" he kept edging closer and closer to her, and touching her. She sang this song beautifully, and he was obviously totally mesmerized by her. After she sang it, before they sang "O soave fanciulla," he kissed her on the forehead. She was so great! And they were wonderful together, always smiling. She beamed at him every time she sang with him. It was so lovely to see.

Andrea and Mercurio were so good together once again, laughing and shaking hands after every single song. Mercurio kept turning him around and pushing him in the back to take his bows, and Andrea would just do it and laugh. Finally, at one point, Andrea grabbed Mercurio, and pushed him out there to take a bow! Everybody laughed. And then Andrea hugged him around the waist, and Mercurio ruffled up Andrea's hair. I just can't tell you how relaxed and happy AB looked during this concert!

And his voice - just incredible!! I've never seen him sing with such passion. The whole evening was truly glorious. Once again the audience clapped before Andrea could finish his last beautiful notes, and when he sang "Vi piaccia dir" at the end of "Che gelida manina," since no one could hear the last beautiful soft note, Andrea just cut it short.

I had the wonderful fortune to be able to speak to him the previous day, and I told him that I’d love to hear him sing "La Vedova Allegra" in encore. He hadn’t sung this in Pittsburgh or Hartford. He looked dismayed, and told me, "We have not rehearsed. We have not rehearsed."

Then the magic moment. The last encore. The orchestra struck up the beginning strains of..."La Vedova Allegra." I couldn't believe my ears. Allow me my fantasy...I'll always think he sang it for me ;-)

Then, at the very end of the concert he spoke to us. He said (big smile) "I want to say, in my bad English, that you have been very kind. The reception that I have received here makes me feel very warm, and I feel very much like I am at home in Italy."