1.   In an impressive debut as Natasha, the Russian soprano Anna Netrebko revealed her clear, ample, cool Nordic voice.

2.   Russian sopranos have been more of an acquired taste, like kvass, the viscous brown home brew with the wild afterbite.

3.   Singers who immediately come to mind are the young Russian sopranos Olga Guryakova and Irina Gordei.

4.   There were rough vocal patches in the performance of the gifted Russian soprano Galina Gorchakova as Elizabeth.

5.   Loudest applause went to Maria Guleghina, a Russian soprano who sang the title role, delivering high notes of pure emotion that hung in the air.