When the time came for his big Act 2 aria, the meltingly beautiful “Una furtiva lagrima,” (a favorite showpiece of both Caruso and Pavarotti), he stepped out of the rehearsed staging format and strode bravely to the front of the stage. Then he gestured toward Zagoroba and sang the beguiling song right to her.

The initial fury of the stage director, some other cast members and the conductor eventually gave way to an amused forgiveness — and Zagoroba and Margita have been happily married for the past 20 years.

(RTWT)