When crossover goes haywire

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No one's saying that the mezzo of the moment, glamorous Latvian Elina Garanca, isn't a very class act indeed when it comes to high-quality opera, song and even zarzuela. But she didn't revert to the Age of Aquarius too successfully in this ill-advised TV show appearance, clearly not having visited Hair when it was on in London. The only protest here might have been from the hapless spectators. And the look makes Kiri as Michael Jackson on her Blue Skies album cover seem dignified.

Below, Elina Garanca sings "Aquarius" from Hair

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So let's be fair, and see and hear Ms Garanca at her best. On the operatic stage, she's singing every bit as well as she did when she made such an impression at - but failed to win - the Cardiff Singer of the World Competition back in 2001.

Below, Elina Garanca sings Rossini's "Non piu mesta"

Find good CDs by Elina Garanca on Amazon

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