Die Meistersinger at the ROH

**underthecountertenor** · 09-03-17, 09:32

Originally posted by Belgrove View Post

Kasper Holten's last production as Director of Opera at Covent Garden kicks off at the weekend. The Mastersinger's is always an event and a challenge for a major opera house to stage. I'm looking forward to seeing Bryn Terfel as Sachs, whose first stab at the role for WNO was rather fine. Also Johannes Martin Kranzle's Beckmesser - his portrayal at Glyndebourne, quite apart from being funny and poignant, reminded one that Beckmesser is a mastersinger. I've been unable to discover whether R3 is planning a broadcast.

Anyone going?

Antonio Pappano makes some interesting comments about the score at an 'insight event'

http://www.roh.org.uk/news/watch-insights-into-die-meistersinger-von-nurnberg-to-be-live-streamed-on-15-february-2017

at about 20 minutes in. I'd never spotted the similarity between the opening to the Prelude to Act 3 and Mendelssohn's Midsummer Night's Dream. We live and learn...

I was lucky enough to bag a great ticket (amphi row F centre) for the general yesterday. I think it's a wonderful show. A virtuoso staging with some real coups de théâtre. The acting is superb, and clearly results from meticulous and detailed rehearsal, and it is cast from strength vocally. Kranzle is indeed wonderfully funny and, as you say, poignant.

There's a twist at the end that traditionalists almost certainly won't like, but which made me think for hours afterwards and is one of the things that makes me glad I'm going again.

Should be a hit.

**Cockney Sparrow** · 09-03-17, 10:27

We go on 25 March, glad to hear it should be a good evening! Only previously seen Terfel at the Proms Concert performance which was wonderful. And only other time was the 1st run at Glyndebourne.
Rehearsals - I wonder to what extent singers mark their role at these final dress rehearsals - its always put me off trying for those tickets.... Also, I didn't know they streamed insight events - a welcome development - anyone know if there have been, or will be, others?**

**Edit - I see I can subscribe to the ROH You Tube Channel to catch future streaming events (another internet account to open and have a password for, no doubt......).

**Ein Heldenleben** · 09-03-17, 11:26

I'm going on the 25th as well. Like UTC-T above I was privileged to be at the rehearsal yesterday . I won't abuse that by giving away too much but musically this was and will be a very fine night - it's very strongly cast . I love Bryn's Sachs - first seen in the Richard Jones production at WNO in Cardiff a few years back. As for the (very lavish and meticulously directed )production as it has some counter- textual elements comment must be reserved till after the first night !
Finally no one was marking yesterday - least of all Bryn . I also went to the Rosenkavalier rehearsal - very little marking there either . The real problem , depending on where you sit are the constant camera shutter noises . These were not audible in the rear amphitheatre yesterday but were in the lower slips for Rosenkavalier. There were quite a few returns around yesterday. £19 for 5 hours of top class Wagner - the best value in Britain ?

**underthecountertenor** · 09-03-17, 12:08

There is always a warning/disclaimer before curtain-up that some elements of the production may still be unfinalised and that some singers may choose to mark. In my experience the latter has never happened, and as Heldenleben says, certainly no one appeared to be marking yesterday. It was a wholehearted performance by all.
I agree about camera shutter noises - they mean that the amphi seats (from far enough back that you can't see the stalls) are probably the best for generals. No problems in row F, certainly.

**Conchis** · 09-03-17, 19:55

Originally posted by underthecountertenor View Post

There is always a warning/disclaimer before curtain-up that some elements of the production may still be unfinalised and that some singers may choose to mark. In my experience the latter has never happened, and as Heldenleben says, certainly no one appeared to be marking yesterday. It was a wholehearted performance by all.
I agree about camera shutter noises - they mean that the amphi seats (from far enough back that you can't see the stalls) are probably the best for generals. No problems in row F, certainly.

Hopefully, this will be a valedictory hit for Holten, after the rough ride he's had at Covent Garden. From what I can gather, only his production of Krol Roger has been judged a success.

**BBMmk2** · 10-03-17, 08:32

I can't wait for this. this should be very good. That's what I like about radio performances. You don't have to look at the visual side, if it doesn't agree with you!!

**Prommer** · 10-03-17, 10:43

No cinema transmission but it will be broadcast on 10th June.

I too attended the general...

**Prommer** · 10-03-17, 10:44

Originally posted by underthecountertenor View Post

There is always a warning/disclaimer before curtain-up that some elements of the production may still be unfinalised and that some singers may choose to mark. In my experience the latter has never happened, and as Heldenleben says, certainly no one appeared to be marking yesterday. It was a wholehearted performance by all.

Agreed. There was a puff piece for it on Today this morning - at about 8.40am if you want to listen in on the iPlayer.

**underthecountertenor** · 10-03-17, 11:43

Originally posted by Conchis View Post

Hopefully, this will be a valedictory hit for Holten, after the rough ride he's had at Covent Garden. From what I can gather, only his production of Krol Roger has been judged a success.

By my reckoning this is only his third production. (His predecessor Elaine Padmore didn't manage three in her much longer tenure, I think). Don Giovanni had mixed reviews but a number of successful revivals: I was one of many who thought it very good, and certainly an improvement on its predecessor.

**Nevilevelis** · 10-03-17, 11:57

Originally posted by underthecountertenor View Post

By my reckoning this is only his third production. (His predecessor Elaine Padmore didn't manage three in her much longer tenure, I think). Don Giovanni had mixed reviews but a number of successful revivals: I was one of many who thought it very good, and certainly an improvement on its predecessor.

If by "this" you mean Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, then I believe it is his fourth for the ROH.

1. Евгений Онегин
2. Don Giovanni
3. Król Roger
4. Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg

Am I right? I was/am in 3/4 of them, so I should know!

NVV.

**Prommer** · 10-03-17, 12:59

I am bursting to talk about this one but shall restrain myself...!!!

**Pianorak** · 10-03-17, 12:59

Евгений Онегин What a simply splendid production. Set me wondering what Krassimira Stoyanova made of that Nederlandse Opera production by Stefan Herheim who was also responsible for the Salzburg Meistersinger. Sorry to go off at a tangent.

**Conchis** · 10-03-17, 13:36

Originally posted by underthecountertenor View Post

By my reckoning this is only his third production. (His predecessor Elaine Padmore didn't manage three in her much longer tenure, I think). Don Giovanni had mixed reviews but a number of successful revivals: I was one of many who thought it very good, and certainly an improvement on its predecessor.

I didn't see it. His Onegin, which I did see, was widely considered a disaster, although I can remember only one thing about it (Lensky's corpse lying on the stage throughout the final act).

He has presided over some generally disliked productions (Guglielmo Tell, Ballo) so he will carry the can for those.

**underthecountertenor** · 10-03-17, 13:57

Originally posted by Nevilevelis View Post

If by "this" you mean Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, then I believe it is his fourth for the ROH.

1. Евгений Онегин
2. Don Giovanni
3. Król Roger
4. Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg

Am I right? I was/am in 3/4 of them, so I should know!

NVV.

You are of course quite right, and age is clearly catching up with me.

Die Meistersinger at the ROH

Die Meistersinger at the ROH

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