By Do Je-hae
For opera fans soprano Hong Hei-kyung is known for Mozartian roles, with a lyrical voice and an elegant stage presence.
But the veteran signer of the Metropolitan opera in New York recently showed that she is just as comfortable in modern productions.
The 52-year-old was lauded by fans and critics last week when she was thrown in at the last minute to headline Willy Decker’s striking modern production of Verdi’s “La Traviata,” replacing Natlalie Dessay, who had to withdraw due to illness.
Wearing a red dress, she displayed an outstanding singing and acting ability as the dying courtesan Violetta on the opening night.
An AP review read: “Hong remains a marvel of vocal freshness and allure after nearly 30 seasons at the Met. The rapid passage work of Sempre libera held no terrors for her, and the purity and control of her Addio del passato, with its long-held final A-natural, was like a master class in technique.”
A winner of the 1982 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, the Korean-American singer made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Servilia in Mozart’s “La clemenza di Tito” in November1984.
Decker’s “La Traviata” continues through May 2 at the Metropolitan Opera House at the Lincoln Center.