The Merry Widow from the Met (Opera on 3)

[Prommer]

I love this piece: how sinful. Ach, das ist so schoen...

[DracoM]

Renee Fleming has not sung a note, but gets applause - just for walking on. Crikey.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I like this piece, too - but I've had to switch off; everything sounds so forced and effortful - and such hammy attempts at acting!

[DracoM]

And bellowing dialogue, shrieking and mugging etc........phew!

[johnn10]

And bellowing dialogue, shrieking and mugging etc........phew!

It all sounded very English as distinct from American, and not necessarily in a good way. Apart from Ms Fleming who at times sounded like a cross between Dames Joan and Kiri.

[Flosshilde]

Fortunately I was at an excellent performance & production of the Marriage of Figaro at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Excellent, despite all the principals going down with the lurgy at the beginning of the week, including both singers scheduled to sing the Countess; fortunately one was recovered enough to act the role & sing the recitatives on stage, while her arias were sung by Susannah's understudy from the side (who only knew she was singing the role this morning).

[DracoM]

I felt more and more that Mme Fleming sounded under pressure and got a teeny bit squally?

[Nick Armstrong]

And bellowing dialogue, shrieking and mugging etc........phew!

It surely came as no surprise...?