CARMEN b'cast thoughts, 1

a. What's wrong with Borodina? This is not the first Carmen she's missed this season.

b. Good to hear this new comprimario baritone, Stephen Gaertner, singing Morales. He's scheduled for Melot later this season. I like a baritone Melot (check out Bernd Weikl in the Karajan recording!), and young Gaertner sounds like he's got just the right sound.