Pleased to note that In Tune, today, (11 Dec) will be presented from the set of Kurt Weill's American opera at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, although I reserve my counsel on the presenter and one of the guests! 
I'm curious, as I've just spent several days compiling a Weill triple bill from off-air video recordings to DVD. Some weeks ago, I came across a video recording, 1st Jan 1993, a revival of David Pountney's highly acclaimed ENO production - I first saw it, circa 1989, - and have always rated it as one of two 'Powerhouse' presentations which linger in the memory. T'other was a later production of DSCH's Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk.
Had to juggle my memory to recall the cast changes in the revival schedules; Richard van Allan and Kristine Cieskinski as Frank and Anna Maurrant in roles later taken by Mark Richardson and Janice Cairns with Lesley Garrett, heart-rending as their daughter, Rose. My notes reminded me that Rodney Milnes -bless his memory - was a staunch supporter of this work 'a work of fierce social protest and of music theatre that knows precisely what it wants to do and does it; the target is hit dead centre with a positively Puccinian certainty of aim, and content, form and achievement indissoluble'.
The design and choreography top notch and the ensemble had clearly been rehearsed to express their individuality rather than mouthing stock responses. The jitterbug dance due stopped the show. However, I'm aware that In Tune is due to be broadcast in an hour's time! Must close, gan schnell!
I've completed the triple bill with a rare Weill one act opera, Royal Palace, televised on Knowledge (precursor of BBC 4?) in the 2 Aug 2001 PROMS and a transfer of the American Film Theatre production of Lost in the Stars, (1974) - fine locations, too, with Brock Peters registering as a black priest in search of his son in Johannesburg. Rich pickings, indeed.
I'm curious, as I've just spent several days compiling a Weill triple bill from off-air video recordings to DVD. Some weeks ago, I came across a video recording, 1st Jan 1993, a revival of David Pountney's highly acclaimed ENO production - I first saw it, circa 1989, - and have always rated it as one of two 'Powerhouse' presentations which linger in the memory. T'other was a later production of DSCH's Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk.
Had to juggle my memory to recall the cast changes in the revival schedules; Richard van Allan and Kristine Cieskinski as Frank and Anna Maurrant in roles later taken by Mark Richardson and Janice Cairns with Lesley Garrett, heart-rending as their daughter, Rose. My notes reminded me that Rodney Milnes -bless his memory - was a staunch supporter of this work 'a work of fierce social protest and of music theatre that knows precisely what it wants to do and does it; the target is hit dead centre with a positively Puccinian certainty of aim, and content, form and achievement indissoluble'.
The design and choreography top notch and the ensemble had clearly been rehearsed to express their individuality rather than mouthing stock responses. The jitterbug dance due stopped the show. However, I'm aware that In Tune is due to be broadcast in an hour's time! Must close, gan schnell!
I've completed the triple bill with a rare Weill one act opera, Royal Palace, televised on Knowledge (precursor of BBC 4?) in the 2 Aug 2001 PROMS and a transfer of the American Film Theatre production of Lost in the Stars, (1974) - fine locations, too, with Brock Peters registering as a black priest in search of his son in Johannesburg. Rich pickings, indeed.
Comment