ROH - goodbye to the Copley La Boheme

[Barbirollians]

Went to see the revival of the Copley la Boheme at the ROH on Friday evening apparently rehearsed by John Copley himself despite now being well in his 80s.

I had only seen it once before and in all respects but one it was a significantly improved affair . Netrebko and Calleja shone in the lead roles a pair as affecting in Act 3 as in Acts 1 & 4 - an outstanding Marcello and Jennifer Rowley a splendid and truly comic Musetta .

Act4 was outstandingly well acted and tightly directed .

The downside the loud and unsubtle conducting of Dan Ettinger - he seemed determined to drown out the voices in the big numbers - Semyon Bychkov was in a different league a couple of years back .

I wondered at the end whether there had been a curtain malfunction. After a curtain call for the six principals it closed and they emerged one by one eventually with the Conductor . A poor show if this was deliberate as it meant no curtain call for the chorus including the children or the smaller parts .

Excellent though and well worth catching on Wednesday on the big screen or at the cinema.

[underthecountertenor]

I wondered at the end whether there had been a curtain malfunction. After a curtain call for the six principals it closed and they emerged one by one eventually with the Conductor . A poor show if this was deliberate as it meant no curtain call for the chorus including the children or the smaller parts .

As far as I recall, this is the standard curtain call at the end of the ROH Boheme (the Bychkov run being no exception). Given that the chorus and smaller parts are all done over an hour before the final curtain, I imagine that most if not all of them are happy to trade a curtain call for an early train/pint. As for the children, they are all done even earlier (just after 8.30 by my reckoning), and I'm not sure that their parents and schools would be happy if they were made to hang around until 10.30.

[Pianorak]

Radio 3 at 19:15 tonight:

Puccini's la boheme
Opera on 3

Live from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, one of opera's most endearing love stories: Puccini's La Boheme with Anna Netrebko bringing to London her celebrated portrayal of Mimi opposite Joseph Calleja as Rodolfo. Dan Ettinger conducts a starry cast and the Royal Opera House orchestra and chorus in the final run of John Copley's classic production, recreating the struggles of young bohemians in 19th-century Paris. Presented by Martin Handley.

Mimi.....Anna Netrebko (Soprano)
Rodolfo.....Joseph Calleja (Tenor)
Marcello.....Lucas Meachem (Baritone)
Musetta.....Jennifer Rowley (Soprano)
Schaunard.....Simone Del Savio (Bass Baritone)
Colline.....Marco Vinco (Bass)
Benoit.....Jeremy White (Bass)
Alcindoro.....Ryland Davies (Tenor)
Parpignol.....Luke Price (Tenor)

[Simon Biazeck]

As far as I recall, this is the standard curtain call at the end of the ROH Boheme (the Bychkov run being no exception). Given that the chorus and smaller parts are all done over an hour before the final curtain, I imagine that most if not all of them are happy to trade a curtain call for an early train/pint. As for the children, they are all done even earlier (just after 8.30 by my reckoning), and I'm not sure that their parents and schools would be happy if they were made to hang around until 10.30.

As a member of the extra chorus in this revival, I can confirm that you are correct on all points, although I am touched that Barbi. wants to see us all again at the old-style curtain call! The full time chorus and many of the regular extras have a merciless schedule week in week out with barely a full weekend to relax. The opportunity to go home early is welcomed by all, especially those with long journeys and school runs in the morning. There are three operas on stage at the moment with reh. for Guillaume Tell in full swing. We love what we do, but singing doesn't work well without proper rest.

Good night!

[Barbirollians]

As a member of the extra chorus in this revival, I can confirm that you are correct on all points, although I am touched that Barbi. wants to see us all again at the old-style curtain call! The full time chorus and many of the regular extras have a merciless schedule week in week out with barely a full weekend to relax. The opportunity to go home early is welcomed by all, especially those with long journeys and school runs in the morning. There are three operas on stage at the moment with reh. for Guillaume Tell in full swing. We love what we do, but singing doesn't work well without proper rest.

Good night!

Ah of course . I did not remember it in the Bychkov run but it certainly would have made sense the night I went with the ghastly extra Act2 "conducted "by Craig Revel Horwood

[gradus]

Saw it in the local cinema tonight and enjoyed every moment. Unfortunately there was a persistent low level buzz throughout that at home I'd associate with an earth loop or something similar but it didn't really get in the way of the glorious music. Some great singing and I quite enjoyed the conductor's way with the score which seemed to get more intense from the third act onwards, probably though it was my reaction to the music, oh! that third act.

[Barbirollians]

Saw it in the local cinema tonight and enjoyed every moment. Unfortunately there was a persistent low level buzz throughout that at home I'd associate with an earth loop or something similar but it didn't really get in the way of the glorious music. Some great singing and I quite enjoyed the conductor's way with the score which seemed to get more intense from the third act onwards, probably though it was my reaction to the music, oh! that third act.

Netrebko is very affecting in Act 3 . She is excellent throughout I thought .

[Prommer]

There are three operas on stage at the moment with reh. for Guillaume Tell in full swing. We love what we do, but singing doesn't work well without proper rest.

Good night!

Simon, can you give us any steer on the new Tell? How is it going?

[Simon Biazeck]

Simon, can you give us any steer on the new Tell? How is it going?

Hi there! As a member of the ensemble, I can't really talk about specific details. That is information beyond my pay grade, I'm afraid! I hope you understand. Sorry! However, it is very full-on and exciting and shaping up well! We had a Sitzprobe a couple of days ago and it sounds terrific too. The orchestra is on cracking form with Pappano at the helm, and Sofia Fomina as Jemmy is quite something - an absolute star!

One thing I can tell you, perhaps less interesting, is that I will feature in the cinema relay interval interviews. I did a filming for that on Monday along with a colleague and it was very exciting and not a little nerve-wracking! We will be talking about our involvement as Gesler soldiers.

SBz.

[Prommer]

Thank you Simon!

[Simon Biazeck]

Thank you Simon!

Guillaume Tell: I saw the end of Act 4 today and wept - I was not alone. Quite something! That is all. No spoilers here!

[Stanfordian]

Hi there! As a member of the ensemble, I can't really talk about specific details. That is information beyond my pay grade, I'm afraid! I hope you understand. Sorry! However, it is very full-on and exciting and shaping up well! We had a Sitzprobe a couple of days ago and it sounds terrific too. The orchestra is on cracking form with Pappano at the helm, and Sofia Fomina as Jemmy is quite something - an absolute star!

One thing I can tell you, perhaps less interesting, is that I will feature in the cinema relay interval interviews. I did a filming for that on Monday along with a colleague and it was very exciting and not a little nerve-wracking! We will be talking about our involvement as Gesler soldiers.

SBz.

Hiya SB,

You have whetted my appetite for William Tell. I'm looking forward to the forthcoming Odeon Cinema relay. Break a leg Simon!

[underthecountertenor]

Guillaume Tell: I saw the end of Act 4 today and wept - I was not alone. Quite something! That is all. No spoilers here!

Simon: thanks. I am drooling at the prospect and can't bloody wait!

[Prommer]

Going Monday! Will pop an apple in my bag...

[Simon Biazeck]

Hiya SB,

You have whetted my appetite for William Tell. I'm looking forward to the forthcoming Odeon Cinema relay. Break a leg Simon!

Thank you! I hope you enjoy it!