Glyndebourne Festival 2015

[aeolium]

Did anyone see Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail relayed this afternoon?

No, it was not showing at any cinema close enough to where I live. It is though still available to watch on the Telegraph's website until 26 July:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/glyndebourne/11738785/Glyndebourne-live-stream-Die-Entfuhrung-aus-dem-serail-Abduction-from-the-Seraglio-Mozart.html

[duncan]

I was lucky enough to see a dress rehearsal of Saul on Saturday. I thought it was absolutely tremendous both musically and visually. It wouldn't be right to give a full review but I thought was a very strong telling of the story and almost entirely successful as an staging. Only the final couple of scenes felt a little static. Handel was a great pragmatist regarding staging his works and I doubt if he would be unhappy about his oratorios evolving back into operas if it meant attracting a paying audience.

Many of the images are arresting and one scene may arouse comment but I thought the directorial choices were entirely valid and in the spirit of the story. The parallels with Lear are very clear. I wonder too if Kosky had Kurosawa's Ran in mind for the Witch of Endor scene.

Christopher Purves is most impressive in title role, totally believable as the maddening, despotic Saul; a light heavyweight boxer gone to seed like Ben Kingsley in Sexy Beast. The chorus look like they are having a terrific time. The OAE sound splendid of course under Ivor Bolton.

[jean]

No, it was not showing at any cinema close enough to where I live...

It was near enough to me, so I went.

Sparkling playing, and excellent singing, especially from Tobias Kehrer as Osmin. The one thing about the production that grated with me was that Konstanze was so susceptible to the Pasha, even before she found out what an unpleasant family he came from. This isn't Cosi fan Tutte.

And those interval shots inviting me to marvel at punters in evening dress having picnics I hadn't been invited to! I'd almost rather have had a succession of tweets.

[duncan]

It wouldn't be right to give a full review but I thought was a very strong telling of the story and almost entirely successful as an staging.

Reviews are universally outstanding.


FT
Indy
Times (pay-walled)
Guardian
Telegraph
ES

[jean]

I'm not sure this is in the libretto:

[jean]

This wasn't in the libretto when I last looked:

[aeolium]

Just an alert that a recording of the 2015 Glyndebourne production of Saul is on R3 this Saturday at 6.15 pm:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06gp9ps

[duncan]

Christie card from Glydebourne

[doversoul1]

I didn’t spot John Travolta in the cast

It certainly looks like a feast for the eyes but I can't say I enjoyed all that much listening to it on the radio. I suppose that’s opera for you (me) but then Saul isn’t an opera. Ah well.