ROH 'William Tell'

[Prommer]

As for the booing, I didn't join in though sorely tempted. It was cacophonous and widespread though originating in the Amphi.

I just don't like the music being disrupted.

[Roehre]

another production which I musically would have liked to attend, but thank goodness didn't, confirming again why I have lost all confidence I will ever enjoy modern productions of pre-1930 operas.

[gurnemanz]

Going on Sunday and was greatly looking forward to it, having studied Schiller's original many years ago. Alas, nothing I have read encourages me to think I will enjoy the experience unless I shut my eyes for four hours and am lucky enough not to be sitting near any selfish, baying claque members. I have nothing in principle against re-interpretations (if coherently done - which this seems not to be), but it seems to me that this approach is much less valid with works which many people (like me) will be seeing for the for the first time and would like to get to know in a more conventional way before being subjected to eccentric and excessive flights of fancy.

[Flosshilde]

Hiya Giacomo,

The ROH William Tell production is being relayed through the Odeon Cinemas in a few days on the 5 July. I'm in two minds now whether or not to attend now.

Indeed. I was planning on going; now I might take Shaw's advice re Wagner productions & sit with my back to the stage (metaphorically - difficult to do literally in a cinema). I regret even more now not going to see Welsh Opera's (?) production.

[MrGongGong]

Kasper Holten is Director of Opera for The Royal Opera, either:
1. He thought it acceptable and so should be sacked.
2. He knew it was bad and chose to do nothing so should be sacked.
3. He didn't know about the production and so should be sacked.

Anyone else you want to put in the stocks?

Hiya Giacomo,

The ROH William Tell production is being relayed through the Odeon Cinemas in a few days on the 5 July. I'm in two minds now whether or not to attend now.

I would go and make up your own mind (i'm going to see Mozart in a park in Lincolnshire or I would go)

[french frank]

i'm going to see Mozart in a park in Lincolnshire

Okay, so we know you've got a lot of musician friends…

The thing about breaking social taboos is that in the modern cultural-artistic world there seems to be a feeling that if you can see a taboo anywhere, art has an absolute duty to break it, because that's what art is about.

It seems a somewhat grandiose attitude - self-important. Just an opinion - can't be proved.

[teamsaint]

Okay, so we know you've got a lot of musician friends…

The thing about breaking social taboos is that in the modern cultural-artistic world there seems to be a feeling that if you can see a taboo anywhere, art has an absolute duty to break it, because that's what art is about.

It seems a somewhat grandiose attitude - self-important. Just an opinion - can't be proved.

IMO you could substitute the word comedy for Art in your post FF.

But I obviously don't" get" a lot of modern comedy.My loss maybe.

[Frances_iom]

ROH has just sent out a long email to those who bought tickets warning of the scene but justifying it as part of the setting - "However, we are aware that some audience members might not want to be exposed to
a depiction of sexual violence in this way, and so we are writing to you to make
sure you feel properly warned about this short scene in act 3 in advance of
watching the production."

[french frank]

IMO you could substitute the word comedy for Art in your post FF.

But I obviously don't" get" a lot of modern comedy.My loss maybe.

I would include comedy in 'cultural-artistic'. It seems to be an aspect of western contemporary 'culture' to shock, break rules &c in areas where doing so is not (any longer) illegal. I think this is the new meaning of the word 'edgy' - operating at the limit of what you can get away with. A bit like schoolboys, really

[Conchis]

The ROH has recent 'form' where rape is concerned.

I recall a rape during the overture of Les Vepres Siciliennes a couple of years back. As it was a strictly one-on-one affair, it didn't elicit much comment.

[Zucchini]

It seems to be an aspect of western contemporary 'culture' to shock, break rules &c...A bit like schoolboys, really

Put your catapault way Beethoven - and tie your shoelaces...

[MrGongGong]

[/I]k;494872]Okay, so we know you've got a lot of musician friends…

The thing about breaking social taboos is that in the modern cultural-artistic world there seems to be a feeling that if you can see a taboo anywhere, art has an absolute duty to break it, because that's what art is about.

It seems a somewhat grandiose attitude - self-important. Just an opinion - can't be proved.

1: The Mozart gig doesn't feature any of my friends

2: I guess you must be unfamiliar with the circumstances surrounding the premiere of Le Sacre de Printemps?

[french frank]

1: The Mozart gig doesn't feature any of my friends

That was a joke. You said you were going to see Mozart in the park I didn't really think you were claiming him as a personal friend.

2: I guess you must be unfamiliar with the circumstances surrounds the premiere of Le Sacre de Printemps?

Yes, in fact I thought of that. One vital difference is that both ballet and music were newly composed: in that sense the music itself was as much a shock as the ballet. Not sure what social taboo was being broken there, though.

The William Tell (and other operas) don't break social taboos until the contemporary directors get hold of them.

[MrGongGong]

That was a joke. You said you were going to see Mozart in the park I didn't really think you were claiming him as a personal friend.

Yes, in fact I thought of that. One vital difference is that both ballet and music were newly composed: in that sense the music itself was as much a shock as the ballet. Not sure what social taboo was being broken there, though.

The William Tell (and other operas) don't break social taboos until the contemporary directors get hold of them.

I'm not an expert on Opera (but one of my friends definitely is ) but I don't think you are right in your last sentence.

I've not seen it, nor have most (but obviously not ALL) the people who seem so outraged by it.

[Flosshilde]

ROH has just sent out a long email to those who bought tickets warning of the scene but justifying it as part of the setting - "However, we are aware that some audience members might not want to be exposed to
a depiction of sexual violence in this way, and so we are writing to you to make
sure you feel properly warned about this short scene in act 3 in advance of
watching the production."

But not offering a refund?