Mendelsohn on "Lucia"

I'm not sure if Daniel Mendelsohn, who happens to be a friend, has ever written about opera before. But in the current issue of The New York Review of Books, he has an absolutely brilliant article/review of the Met's "Lucia." It has tons of insights into bel canto opera, Donizetti, and "Lucia," and his take on Dessay's performance resonates with what another connoisseur expressed to me, that her interpretation was somehow underwhelming despite her vocal endowment.

To the editors of the New York Review: Please have Daniel review more opera! His voice is much needed. And I'd say that even if he weren't a friend!