Opera in Surrey

[Lat-Literal]

I have now heard and seen both Tosca and Die Walküre. Unlike a few weeks ago, the current weather is not the best for picnicking, and I even reversed my decision to give up vests for the "summer". Of the two performances I'd say that the Wagner is the better of the two, though may not appeal to so many. It is a rather weird plot and goes on for hours, but the final act is brilliant - and I don't just mean the Ride of the Valkyries. Wotan (Thomas Hall) is particularly strong in that act, along with Brunnhilde (Jane Dutton). The Bournemouth SO play very well indeed under Stephen Barlow. The performances of Tosca have been improving over the run, and the Tosca (Ekaterina Metlova) has a lovely voice - but surely she could have been given better direction. I hear reports that Jenufa is very good, but I've not seen it yet.

When you say you have given up vests, I assume that you are referring to them as an undergarment. I was advised by the box office that it is strictly black tie. Was it observed when you attended? What was the lowest level to which some descended, not that that would be my aspiration? This is important to me. There is absolutely no way that I could have access to such attire. So I've been looking at Glyndebourne. But they only relax their dress code when on tour, for example in a Woking building, but I need to be in an outdoors venue at best or if not an indoors venue surrounded by nice countryside or gardens and with plenty of breaks. I won't go into the detail but the contemplation of a first opera with reference to this location has brought the kindest of highs and then lows on "barrier logistics". I go back in my mind to all of the discussions we have had on this forum about improving access to classical music generally. I don't want to change these places but it is such a pity that there isn't somewhere more focus on the music than an expected presentation of oneself that some of us for reasons of money and indeed character cannot pull off successfully. My initially keen approaches to the idea of performance per se more than matched those of many.

[vinteuil]

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"I say beware of all enterprises that require new clothes... "

Henry David Thoreau [1817 - 1862]


I'm sure no venue, opera-house or otherwise, nowadays 'requires' black-tie or other folderols. Go as you are, comfortable and as smart as you wish. As long as you don't positively smell, I'm sure they'll let you in...



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[Lat-Literal]

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"I say beware of all enterprises that require new clothes... "

Henry David Thoreau [1817 - 1862]


I'm sure no venue, opera-house or otherwise, nowadays 'requires' black-tie or other folderols. Go as you are, comfortable and as smart as you wish. As long as you don't positively smell, I'm sure they'll let you in...



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(but is it true?)

(presentationally my strongest point is verbal - people can make of that what they will for good and ill )

[Dave2002]

When you say you have given up vests, I assume that you are referring to them as an undergarment.

Indeed - I've not resorted to Onslow type attire (Keeping up Appearances) though Onslow might be appropriate given the locatiion.

I was advised by the box office that it is strictly black tie. Was it observed when you attended?

To a large extent yes, though some had fancier outfits - embroidered gold coats for example - but not black.

I have had diverse reports about Longborough - though that's quite a way from London. Some friends who live very close to Longborough have suggested that there's a mix of attire at that venue, which sounds almost like "anything goes", but I've not experienced it myself. Possibly next week I'll have a more definitive view on that one.

Personally I never wanted to wear a DJ, nor have to learn how to tie a bow tie, but in the end I succumbed. I have friends who had similar views but who did not give way. As I recall the DJ wasn't too expensive. I still think it's a faff, but I have enjoyed some of the days out despite the dressing up aspects. Occasionally at Glyndebourne men wear regular suits, or even jackets (younger men can get away with more perhaps) - and it's tolerated, though probably only about 1-2% of the men are like that.

If it's a class thing - the "I don't want to be the sort of person who associates with people who are like that ... and wear DJs etc ..." then I can only leave it up to you to decide whether to break your own rules.

The ROH is much less of a problem dress wise these days, but that's indoors.

[vinteuil]

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... their web-site says -

WHAT TO WEAR

Most guests prefer to wear evening dress (black tie/long or short dress). Men who do not wish to wear black tie may opt for any stylish alternative. A shawl or wrap is useful for the cooler evenings.

So - be stylish.

Me, I loathe the black-tie/dj get-up (tho' I'm quite fetching in white-tie and tails... )

This whole dress-up palaver is ghastly. Be brave : go in a nice frock...


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[Lat-Literal]

The last post and parts of the previous one are very funny for which thanks. Generally chavs seem to see me as one of their kind but substantially inferior until I open my mouth. Then they tend to go off in a huff or run for the hills. It's not the accent - very mid range almost as to be classless in the proper sense - but the content which while hardly highbrow is far more rangy than they anticipate or are willing to endure. I am more than capable of being in a suit and an ordinary tie with decent shoes if necessary. But if that is seen as rebellion at opera then I don't like that idea because I want to blend in if I can. There are no negative agendas other than feeling I would be seen as having them. I will have a look at Longborough.

[Dave2002]

Another probably less problematic dress wise possibility is Holland Park Opera - but it's not really country house opera - and in fairness I've never seen anything as good there as at West Horsley - though I've enjoyed many good evenings there. http://www.operahollandpark.com/2017-season/

If you want to blend in at these events, rather than stand out it is possible to get a DJ and accessories for rather less than the price of a ticket for many of these events, which assumes you have no real objection to wearing those. Obviously some people spend more, and get all sorts of fancy things, but you don't have to.

Otherwise, perhaps buy one of these, and wear black trousers and a cravat. - http://www.topman.com/en/tmuk/produc...A&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Conchis]

I enjoyed Thursday's Walkure premiere, although some may feel that Stephen Medcalf's high concept production goes too far (he makes it very period specific and creates his own very interesting sub-plot to the main action): certainly the reviews I've read seem to concentrate on that, rather than the singing which was of a very high standard throughout. And quite an achievement to have got the building up and running a mere eleven months after construction began!

[Dave2002]

The "very interesting" sub plot isn't that fascinating - unless I missed something really big, and confuses some people. It can fairly safely be ignored.

[Conchis]

The "very interesting" sub plot isn't that fascinating - unless I missed something really big, and confuses some people. It can fairly safely be ignored.

I thought it verged on (but didn't topple over into actually being) distracting but the 'cliffhanger' at the end made me want to see a Medical cycle. He's obviously got the whole thing worked out in his head already.

[Dave2002]

I thought it verged on (but didn't topple over into actually being) distracting but the 'cliffhanger' at the end made me want to see a Medical cycle. He's obviously got the whole thing worked out in his head already.

Perhaps the tawdry little sub plot will continue with Siegfried in a year or two!
Is it supposed to be a parallel comment on the main action maybe?

[Conchis]

Perhaps the tawdry little sub plot will continue with Siegfried in a year or two!
Is it supposed to be a parallel comment on the main action maybe?

I'll pm you my theory - don't want to put any spoilers out for those yet to see it.

[Dave2002]

I am more than capable of being in a suit and an ordinary tie with decent shoes if necessary. But if that is seen as rebellion at opera then I don't like that idea because I want to blend in if I can. There are no negative agendas other than feeling I would be seen as having them. I will have a look at Longborough.

The Longborough crowd is diverse, and while there is a preponderance of DJs other attire is certainly to be seen - though perhaps not down to the level of my Onslow or Rab C Nesbitt vests obliquely hinted at earlier. Depending on where you live Longborough may be a long way to go, and there may not be any public transport. The Surrey venue does have shuttle buses to Horsley station, and I've heard that nobody respectfully dressed will be frog marched off the site. My feeling, based on a very limited sample, is that productions in Surrey are even now at a higher level than most of the other venues - excluding Glyndebourne and the ROH.

[Cockney Sparrow]

At ROH, I've seen a sleeveless T shirt and Kilt - as it was being worn with conviction, I suppose it was a fashion statement. I don't suppose the ROH will be caught out giving the press a chance to run an "elitist" story by ejecting anyone as long as they maintain what presently passes for decency.
Glyndebourne - I got away (meaning I didn't feel uncomfortable, socially, with a dark suit and bow tie for my first visit - then joined a chorus and had to have a DJ (then the chorus dropped them in favour of Black shirts). I hate wearing a tie - now I'm retired its weddings, Glyndebourne, Funerals and (should there be any) Court appearances.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

The only time I've ever been to Glyndebourne Festival Opera (as opposed to the Touring Group at Glyndebourne), Jean-Paul Gaultier was standing watching The Rake's Progress resplendent in black leather kilt - and thoroughly enjoying himself (and the opera). As I was a guest of someone, I wore tuxedo and bow tie - but nothing now would induce me to wear anything in which I didn't feel comfortable for an event which I was paying money to attend.

Oh - and I've just remembered - I took a party of "A"-level Performing Arts students to the Glyndebourne Festival premiere run of The Second Mrs Kong. Their "posh" tee shirts and jeans weren't greeted with outrage by the audience "regulars" - if there was any reaction it was welcoming so many younger people to the "Glyndebourne Experience".