Cav and Pag, ROH, BBC4 12.06.16

[Guest]

Anyone watch this last night?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b07g8nrm/pappanos-italian-double-bill-at-the-royal-opera-house

I enjoyed it, fine singing by all the leads.

Radio Times says there were some boos on the first night, anyone know why? The statue of the Virgin coming to life during the Easter procession seemed a little superfluous and - well, not very verismo, statues don't do that, and making the two operas (set in Sicily and Calabria) take place in the same place on the same day perhaps a directorial conceit too far. It was nice to know (spoiler alert) Santuzza was going to be OK, but that just doesn't happen. And the revolving stage business during the show got a bit confusing - I didn't think we needed that......

But the music and acting was tremendous, powerful stuff.

[greenilex]

I can imagine the reaction of any devout Catholic audience members to that statue business.

The Virgin simply does not shame anyone. Not what she does.

[Stanley Stewart]

Hugely enjoyable on a day which also provided a show within- a- show on The Mall! In between, I also viewed an off-air video/ DVD recording of the Richard Tauber, Pag film version from the mid-30s. What a charmer who also relished singing on a stand or sit and deliver basis.

[Barbirollians]

I thought it was terrific when I went and the Pag in particular . Some of the business with crying during the Pag intermezzo however was very annoying .

[underthecountertenor]

As I recall, the boos on first night were far outweighed by cheers. I think they probably came from a vocal minority who, after Guillaume Tell, were determined to voice their disapproval of Michieletto come what may. The production certainly didn't justify booing. I agree Barbirollians, save that I found the stage direction in the Pag intermezzo intensely moving and not annoying at all.

I haven't yet seen the BBC recording, and will be interested to see how the production comes across on the small screen.

[Richard Tarleton]

I thought it was terrific when I went and the Pag in particular . Some of the business with crying during the Pag intermezzo however was very annoying .

Did Santuzza's and Mamma Lucia's agents get them an enhanced fee for appearing in Pagliacci, I wonder? - I daresay the priest was a member of the Chorus.

In retrospect, wasn't that Nedda making a non-singing appearance in Pagliacci, being given a little something by the baker during the Intermezzo? Having a wander round before the performance. Looked jolly like her.

[LeMartinPecheur]

I can imagine the reaction of any devout Catholic audience members to that statue business.

The Virgin simply does not shame anyone. Not what she does.

Umm, don't we all know that? Wasn't it meant to point up Santuzza's guilt about what she's being up to with Turiddu?

[makropulos]

As I recall, the boos on first night were far outweighed by cheers. I think they probably came from a vocal minority who, after Guillaume Tell, were determined to voice their disapproval of Michieletto come what may. The production certainly didn't justify booing. I agree Barbirollians, save that I found the stage direction in the Pag intermezzo intensely moving and not annoying at all.

I haven't yet seen the BBC recording, and will be interested to see how the production comes across on the small screen.

That's exactly my recollection too. Michielotto definitely came good with this Cav & Pag. A marvellous evening. I can't wait to watch the broadcast now.

[Barbirollians]

That's exactly my recollection too. Michielotto definitely came good with this Cav & Pag. A marvellous evening. I can't wait to watch the broadcast now.

I would not at all have minded a dumb show with Mamma Lucia and Santuzza but the sniffing and moaning was a bit of distraction . Having a spotlight focused on the mirror in the dressing room in Pag was also not good for those of us in the stalls circle shielding our eyes in that bit .

[greenilex]

Not sure that we do "all know" the difference between what is intended to be internal and external in these matters...

[LHC]

Did Santuzza's and Mamma Lucia's agents get them an enhanced fee for appearing in Pagliacci, I wonder? - I daresay the priest was a member of the Chorus.

In retrospect, wasn't that Nedda making a non-singing appearance in Pagliacci, being given a little something by the baker during the Intermezzo? Having a wander round before the performance. Looked jolly like her.

Yes, it was Nedda, and the baker was Silvio, hence explaining how she came to be having an affair with one of the locals in I Pagliacci.

[Don Basilio]

My understanding of popular religion in Italy is that prostitutes often have a great devotion to the Madonnna.

But Santuzza isn't on the game, she's feeling rejected both by her ex and society. The Madonna pointing an accusatory finger at her, is showing how she feels.

I'm always grateful nowadays for a production that keeps to the plot, which this did.