KEY POINTS:
The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra's Thursday night concert was a Roman affair in which all the works were inspired by Italy's capital city.
It included excerpts from Wagner's Rienzi and Puccini's Tosca, each featuring visiting Metropolitan Opera stars, New Zealander Simon O'Neill and Swedish-American Erika Sunnegrdh.
O'Neill is now performing the role of Florestan in Beethoven's Fidelio at the Royal Opera House in London, and will fill the same role in the APO's Gala Opera in Concert on Friday, August 10.
High point
Like all Vero Aotea series concerts, Rome, the Eternal City was narrated, with actor Paul Barrett playing the tour guide. Turn up the heat and you could almost be there.
Low point
That guest artist Erika Sunnegrdh, a waitress until 2005, wasn't discovered sooner.
- Flash, NZHERALD
