A Night at the Opera

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

I didn't hear The Turn of the Screw from the Barbican on Radio 3 yesterday evening, but judging by my colleague's review, it was a coruscating affair, held in tribute to Sir Colin Davis, who was originally to have conducted:

http://www.opera-britannia.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=905:the-turn-of-the-screw-barbican-hall-16th-april-2013&catid=8:opera-reviews&Itemid=16

Worth catching on iPlayer.

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

A few recent reviews from Covent Garden. I saw the final (as well as the opening) night of Don Carlo, as well as Rossini's La donna del lago, being relayed live via cinemas by the ROH this evening:

http://www.opera-britannia.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=933:don-carlo-royal-opera-25th-may-2013-&catid=8:opera-reviews&Itemid=16

http://www.opera-britannia.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=925:la-donna-del-lago-royal-opera-17th-may-2013-&catid=8:opera-reviews&Itemid=16

[jean]

I did start a thread for the relay of La Donna del Lago, but nobody's replied.

I thought the sound of the relay was awful, especially Juan Diego Florez's voice. I know it didn't sound like that really, because I heard it at Covent Garden last week.

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

I did start a thread for the relay of La Donna del Lago, but nobody's replied.

I thought the sound of the relay was awful, especially Juan Diego Florez's voice. I know it didn't sound like that really, because I heard it at Covent Garden last week.

What did you make of the production, Jean? Despite the confusion re the antiquaries, Sir Walter Scott and Rossini, I felt that in crucial moments it let the singers be and allowed them to sing. I actually bumped into Joyce DiDonato in the ROH shop on Wednesday and we chatted about the production. I dared to ask her how it compared with the Paris/ La Scala production which the ROH scrapped... she replied that this new on was 'about a million times better'!

[jean]

I quite liked the production, though I had some reservations.

The rapes before they went into battle seemed to me quite wrong - surely they would have raped only enemy women, and they hadn't captured any yet.

And Elena allowing the King to kiss her on the lips while at the same time telling him he couldn't even kiss her hand - that was wrong, too. And both of these were not what Scott would have expected.

I did think of reading the Lady of the Lake and got as far as looking it up online, but when I saw that it was a hundred pages long, each page more turgid than the last, I abandoned that idea.

But I was particularly reminded of a production of Aida by Deutsche Oper am Rhein that I saw in the mid-1990s, where Aida and Radames returned to their glass cases in a museum gallery to be immured. I haven't seen that mentioned anywhere - and maybe it was pure coincidence.

Colin Lee was back for this evening. I did think his top notes were better than Michael Spyres'.

[amateur51]

I did start a thread for the relay of La Donna del Lago, but nobody's replied.

The only thing I could think to say about it was that it is the only opera that Maurizio Pollini has recorded as a conductor, jean

[Barbirollians]

I went on Friday - what spectacularly wonderful singing especially from Florez and di Donato . Shame it is a such a slight work based on a hammy old Scott poem . The production , inspired by a clever idea of romanticising historical legends by those seeking to forge a distinct albeit harmless Scottish identity - fails in its execution - the idea falls flat and is just irritating.

I hope di Donato is slated to replace Dessay ( who has given up the role ) in the revival of that wondrous la Fille du regiment next year - the accuracy, brilliance and passion of her and Florez's portrayals were bel canto performances of one's dreams .

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

I hope di Donato is slated to replace Dessay ( who has given up the role ) in the revival of that wondrous la Fille du regiment next year - the accuracy, brilliance and passion of her and Florez's portrayals were bel canto performances of one's dreams .

It's Patrizia Ciofi who is down to sing that revival next season, presumably her reward for 'stepping in' late in the day to the doomed Robert le diable production.

[Barbirollians]

I haven't heard or seen here IGI . Is she up to it ? Dessay's portrayal , both in the DVD verson with Florez and with Colin Lee the other year at Covent Garden - was magical even though it was pretty clear that her voice was not going to fit the role for much longer .

I should love di Donato to have a go at it - so long as she feels at 44 she is not too old for the role .

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

Ciofi wasn't overly impressive in Robert le diable, surprising given that she was shunted into the production to replace a young soprano who Covent Garden suddenly decided wasn't right for the role (Jennifer Rowley, who spoke out about the debacle on her Facebook page: http://www.opera-britannia.com/index...d=884&Itemid=1 ). Ciofi had sung the role before, yet I found her less than secure at the top of her range. I don't doubt that she's in better vocal nick than Dessay, but it would have been a good opportunity to try other younger sopranos in the role.

I'm not sure the vocal range of Marie would suit Joyce DiDonato, who is a mezzo, admittedly one quite happy taking on a role such as Maria Stuarda.

[David-G]

Elektra ticket

I find that I have a spare ticket for "Elektra" at Covent Garden tomorrow 1 October, 8.00 p.m. It's a good seat and not expensive.

If anybody is interested, PM me.

[teamsaint]

has anybody seen the upcoming La Traviata production from the WNO? recommended?

and any wise thoughts on the Henze " Boulevard Solitude". I'm rather tempted by this.
Thanks.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

... any wise thoughts on the Henze " Boulevard Solitude". I'm rather tempted by this.

Not quite my own cup of tea, ts (then again, I've never seen in staged, so it might well be more wonderful than I believe) - but youTube lets you make up your own mind:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lESbtDE4iw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJsLu8VpHw0

[teamsaint]

thanks ferney, I'll have a look.

[Cockney Sparrow]

I've looked for a thread mentioning WNO's production of Prokofiev's "War and Peace" (and failed). 1st London (ROH) performance last night - very well done - what more can I say as its such a rarity but really, so well done all round by WNO. Seems Sir David Pountney - he was of course director of the production and of WNO itself- and thus behind this enterprise - good to see him on stage at the company bow. And the Pountney / Elder years at ENO were pretty much the start of my opera going...........

According to the ROH website, 94 tickets left for the 2nd and last performance of this run (and who can say when the next War and Peace will come along....).

https://www.roh.org.uk/productions/war-and-peace-by-welsh-national-opera

More details:

https://wno.org.uk/whats-on/war-and-peace-prokofiev#cast-and-creative