Live from the Met 2.04.11 - Wagner: Das Rheingold

[Don Basilio]

The venue was Bayreuth, the year was 1882, and the miscreant was one Richard Wagner.

Somebody particularly not noted for his consideration and sensitivity with regard to other live human beings.

[kernelbogey]

But hang on - wasn't he saying Bravo! to appreciate the performers?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

But hang on - wasn't he saying Bravo! to appreciate the performers?

When I was experiencing opera at the Arena di Verona in 1988, the enthusiastic Italians did not shout "bravo", but "BRAVI". It this a form of added value, or have we British got it wrong? I've often wondered.

[LHC]

When I was experiencing opera at the Arena di Verona in 1988, the enthusiastic Italians did not shout "bravo", but "BRAVI". It this a form of added value, or have we British got it wrong? I've often wondered.

Italians, being noted amongst other things for being able to speak Italian, shout "bravo" to male performers, "brava" to female performers and "bravi" when they are congratulating more than one performer.*

However, only the most pretentious of audience members in this country will affect these varied terms. For the rest of us "bravo" is perfectly acceptable.

(* except at La Scala, where audience members shout "bravo", "brava", "bravi" or "boo" depending on the claque they belong to)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

However, only the most pretentious of audience members in this country will affect these varied terms. For the rest of us "bravo" is perfectly acceptable.

That's OK then. (But I think I'll just clap. )

(* except at La Scala, where audience members shout "bravo", "brava", "bravi" or "boo" depending on the claque they belong to)

[kernelbogey]

[....]However, only the most pretentious of audience members in this country will affect these varied terms. For the rest of us "bravo" is perfectly acceptable.[....]

On another thread we debated the Guardian rant by Tom Service about someone bellowing 'Bravi', a nanosecond after the last note. Touch and go whether the pretentiousness or rudeness was the more infuriating.

[Wagner....]not noted for his consideration and sensitivity with regard to other live human beings

My point here was that W appreciated the performers, and thus was considerate, if not to fellow audience members!

[Auferstehen2]

Apparently, the publication of the famous Ernest Newman’s book on Wagner has been delayed for a year according to my bookseller. In the meantime, I have been recommended


Wagner’s Ring and its symbols, by Roger Donington, @ £16.99,

Wagner Remembered, by Stewart Spencer, @ £14.99,


Can any Wagnerite recommend these books, please?

Mario

[umslopogaas]

Aufersthehen, post 17 strongly recommends Donington's book, post 21 (me) notes it as an impenetrably obscure analysis based on Jungian concepts, and you probably need to be a Jungian to have any chance of getting much out of it. I thought Bryan Magee's 'Aspects of Wagner' (OUP) was very good, as was Martin van Amerongen's 'Wagner: A Case History' (Dent).

[ostuni]

I found Donington heavy going when I tried to read it, years ago. Michael Tanner's Faber Pocket Guide is very readable, up to date (2010) and cheap (£8.99 retail, £2.19 Amazon Marketplace).