ROH Otello with Kaufmann Debut

[Prommer]

I was at the general rehearsal today: it was very fine indeed. And he will grow in the part, I am sure. But there is a lot 'there' already.

[gurnemanz]

We saw our daughter this afternoon who had been there with partner. They were bowled over. Her partner is not usually an opera fan and said it was the first time he had really enjoyed the experience. We're going on 2 July.

[Cockney Sparrow]

Tonight in the last part of "Newsnight" (BBC2) a piece of at least 10 minutes with Jonas Kaufman and Pappano discussing the role of Otello, with rehearsal clips. Looks good - its being relayed in cinemas next week. I and Mrs CD will be going in early July. Fingers crossed he keeps in good voice.
He also was on a Radio 4 News programme (Today, as couple of days ago? Or PM?) - saying that he felt opera houses in regions and more local places were under severe threat, and that could imperil opera as an art form.

[Frances_iom]

It opened with a flash + a bang and certainly kept the volume and impetus going for the whole performance - however Iago (Marco Vratogna) was probably the outstanding performer last night - the production was somewhat strange (many sliding panels) and what appeared at first to be the loading ramp of a RORO ferry spilling the very full chorus onto the stage but after the full chorus describing the storm etc a rigged vessel slowly slid into view at back of the stage somewhat it seems to the surprise of the chorus who were looking the other way.
The fairly minimal scenery needed was moved around on open stage to adjust for the various acts - mostly worked quite well but a few somewhat strange moments which may explain some of the rather muted boos at the end for the production.
Desdemona had a few rather ungainly stage moments (tho sang extremely well) of the 'is my bum too big in this" variety - Kaufman was fine, not a natural to writhing on the floor in jealousy but never really looked the part of a successful military leader.

[Prommer]

Very enjoyable as the new Otello was, try this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvmQA5j-iEA

From a live broadcast by Capital Radio (!), with commentary, in 1980 - Carlos Kleiber conducting, Domingo and Price as the lovers.

Un-bloody-believable!!

[David-G]

Very enjoyable as the new Otello was, try this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvmQA5j-iEA

From a live broadcast by Capital Radio (!), with commentary, in 1980 - Carlos Kleiber conducting, Domingo and Price as the lovers.

Un-bloody-believable!!

I was there! Outstanding it certainly was. And that was the day after the one occasion I saw Frederica von Stade (in Werther). Happy days!

I don't know how or where you discovered this, but thanks so much for posting the link!!!

[Barbirollians]

The Times put the boot into the production this morning but were evidently impressed by the singing , the orchestra and Pappano .

[Frances_iom]

The Times put the boot into the production this morning but were evidently impressed by the singing , the orchestra and Pappano .

yes any R3 broadcast should be good but obviously can't really compete with orchestra + full chorus in fine form.

[Ein Heldenleben]

I went to the general and also last night . Last night was certainly a few notches higher than the already excellent general .From twitter those lucky people who have also been to the first night think it's getting better with ever perf so the cinema relay should be outstanding. Last night's was also being filmed .
Most of Germany seemed to be in the stalls last night - rather touching that they turned out to support their man - and his reception was overwhelming. Still not sure he has the real "trumpet tones " for Otello but he is such a musical singer I would be happy to listen to him in anything. Act 3 was v. Good last might but with a nod to those who mentioned the 1980 Otello nothing will ever efface the way Domingo , Price and Kleiber ratcheted up the tension in that act - (the tensest in opera with the exception of Act 2 Gotterdamerung ?)
Finally ,David - G , I was also lucky enough to do the Werther / Otello double . Wasn't Carreras Werther? So over five years or so we had him , Domingo, Pavarotti , Bergonzi and Vickers all singing at Covent Garden . Happy Days indeed . We need more than one Kaufman ....

[kernelbogey]

Not sure whether to post here or on the tv broadcast thread. I was wondrously moved by the whole performance. Kaufmann sang and acted excellently - but in a way Marco Vratogna stole the show: he acted superbly and was evil incarnate.

I liked the production a lot and thought the set worked very well in the tv pictures, which were shot to use carefully aspects of the set like the blood-red background, the mirrors, the sliding panels and so forth.

Off to bed now, moved and rather shaken by it.

[BBMmk2]

I thought that Kauffman had retired?

[kernelbogey]

I thought that Kauffman had retired?

D.o.b: 10 July 1969 (age 48)!

Edit: PS: there's only one f in Kaufmann

[Conchis]

I thought that Kauffman had retired?

You may be confusing him with Vilaizon, who now has a career in light entertainment.

[LHC]

You may be confusing him with Vilaizon, who now has a career in light entertainment.

Neither Kaufmann nor Villazón have retired. Villazón’s recovery from his vocal crisis a few years ago has been very difficult, but he does still sing in operas (he is singing in Eugene Onegin in Vienna in February next year and also has engagements in Monteverdi’s Orfeo and the Magic Flute). He has also taken up directing.

Kaufmann had several months off, but is now back and has a very full schedule. It is rumoured that he will sing in Forza del Destino at Covent Garden in 2019.

[Stanfordian]

I thought that Kauffman had retired?

Come on maestro. Get a grip!