Hard to imagine a better cast: Netrebko soared vocally, ranging from the full-throated spoken words of the title character’s stage recitations to the soaring notes of her death scene; 34- year-old Rachvelishvili, as her evil destroyer, showed why she is today’s reigning Verdian mezzo; and tenor Beczala brilliantly matched the vocal power of the ladies fighting for his affection. It was a New Year’s Eve to remember at the opera house. Yes, as drama the opera may be something of a clinker, a hoary, less than believable plot. But such powerfully beautiful music, in the pit by the Met Orchestra and on stage by incomparable vocalists, easily transforms soap opera into convincing tragedy. Even fighting drenching rain to make our way home from the opera house, Cilea’s neglected Lecouvreur kept ringing in our ears. Making seeing it one of your New Year’s resolutions.