Among other selections Ms. Gheorghiu and Mr. Alagna sang ardent duets: familiar ones, from Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor" and Verdi's "Traviata," and the less familiar "C'est le Dieu!" from Delibes's "Lakmé," which ended the formal portion of the relatively short program at about 9 40.
She is joined by the sweet-voiced, energetic tenor Saimir Pirgu and the great tenor (turned, partly, baritone) Plácido Domingo, who sings with ardent presence at 72.
Aleksandrs Antonenko sometimes relied on stock gestures as Pollione, but sang with ardent, emotive conviction.
His singing is ardent, vibrant, clarion and, where called for, meltingly expressive.
Limber and handsome, he was a compelling Tamino, singing with ardent energy and burnished tone.
Mr. Hughes-Jones sang with ardent muscle, and Mr. Vassallo gave a firm, powerful rendition of the count's longing monologue, "Il balen".
Philip Webb's tenor is slightly grainy but robust, and on opening night he sang an ardent and crowd-pleasing "Nessun dorma".
Initially cocky and then remorseful as the swaggering Pinkerton, James Valenti sang with ardent vigor, although his tenor didn't always project.
From the opening cut, Werther's gloomy recitation "Pourquoi me réveiller," the singing is ardent yet nuanced, with admirable variety in dynamics, phrasing and attack.
Her suitor is Philip Webb, whose tenor is slightly grainy but robust; on opening night he sang an ardent and crowd-pleasing "Nessun dorma".
