A Night at the Opera

[french frank]

Rihm's Jakob Lenz in new ENO production: http://operabritanniauk.wordpress.co...-april-2012-6/

The distressing (!) thing about this forum is how packed it is with enticements away from doing what one is supposed to be doing. Several YouTube clips to give a taste of what's on offer.

I quite agree with the comment in the review about not seeing here many of the contemporary works composed outside the UK.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I quite agree with the comment in the review about not seeing here many of the contemporary works composed outside the UK.

Absolutely! Even so important a work as Lachenmann's "Match Girl" hasn't had a UK production and Shadowtime hasn't been staged here, either: one-off "semi-staged" events don't really count!

Still; there's always this to look forward to:

http://www.artlyst.com/articles/stockhausen-opera-with-helicopters-for-london-2012-festival

[aeolium]

That does look an interesting ENO production and all credit to them for mounting it. I love the Büchner novella. Unfortunately I have had my annual visit to London for the BL illuminated manuscripts exhibition and (vide another thread on unaffordable London) cannot afford another. It's a pity that ENO do not have the cinecasts that other opera companies are presenting these days as I would certainly go to see that if it was at a screen nearby.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

It's a pity that ENO do not have the cinecasts that other opera companies are presenting these days as I would certainly go to see that if it was at a screen nearby.

Or, indeed, that there isn't some kind of national television broadcasting service that could broadcast the productions to the nation's televisions. I don't know what they'd call such a corporation ... ?

[amateur51]

Or, indeed, that there isn't some kind of national television broadcasting service that could broadcast the productions to the nation's televisions. I don't know what they'd call such a corporation ... ?

Didn't ENO have some sponsorship deal with Sky at one point in the not-too-distant past?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Didn't ENO have some sponsorship deal with Sky at one point in the not-too-distant past?

Now that would be a "Faust-ian Contract"!

[aeolium]

Yesterday I went to a very fine performance of The Barber of Seville by ETO at Cheltenham. The production was simple with a largely uncluttered stage and painted backdrop (according to the programme note echoing productions of the time) but with ingenious use of lighting and other effects. The acting was well choreographed and it was a real ensemble performance, with the action being moved on at a good pace. I thought all the singing was good and some - e.g. Alan Fairs' Don Basilio - outstanding. Andrew Slater was superb as the curmudgeonly Bartolo. The small-scale orchestra was excellently conducted by Paul McGrath and brought out the wit and subtle touches in the score (despite Rossini's nickname of Signor Crescendo, there is invariably much to surprise in his music).

I've been really impressed by productions in recent years by the ETO. Despite operating on a small budget they are very ambitious, recently touring with a week of Handel operas and this autumn touring with Maxwell Davies' The Lighthouse, Britten's Albert Herring and Ullmann's The Emperor of Atlantis. They do a great deal for the musical life of the regions and deserve a lot of support.

[Barbirollians]

I have just been informed by the ROH that this coming Saturday's performance of La Boheme will be interrupted by Act II being repeated under the baton of the celeb who won the BBC Maestro contest with a cast of young Jette Parker singers The winner will be announced from the stage.

Thanks a lot ROH had we been warned I could have gone to a different performance . Moreover, why wedge it in the middle of the opera interrupting the drama - no doubt because they suspect the audience would leave otherwise .

[amateur51]

Yesterday I went to a very fine performance of The Barber of Seville by ETO at Cheltenham. The production was simple with a largely uncluttered stage and painted backdrop (according to the programme note echoing productions of the time) but with ingenious use of lighting and other effects. The acting was well choreographed and it was a real ensemble performance, with the action being moved on at a good pace. I thought all the singing was good and some - e.g. Alan Fairs' Don Basilio - outstanding. Andrew Slater was superb as the curmudgeonly Bartolo. The small-scale orchestra was excellently conducted by Paul McGrath and brought out the wit and subtle touches in the score (despite Rossini's nickname of Signor Crescendo, there is invariably much to surprise in his music).

I've been really impressed by productions in recent years by the ETO. Despite operating on a small budget they are very ambitious, recently touring with a week of Handel operas and this autumn touring with Maxwell Davies' The Lighthouse, Britten's Albert Herring and Ullmann's The Emperor of Atlantis. They do a great deal for the musical life of the regions and deserve a lot of support.

Agreed aeolium - I greatly enjoyed their Cunning Little Vixen when it came to Richmond a while ago

The three pieces you mention for autumn sound attractive too - I've only seen the Ullmann in a performance by Guildhall students but they did well & I'd see the piece again if I could. I'll check for details - many thanks for the alert

[aeolium]

I'll definitely be going to the Ullmann, am51. It seems it's going to be produced together with a dramatisation of Bach's cantata Christ lag in Todesbunden. And apparently ETO are also mounting a production of Tippett's King Priam for 2013.

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

I've been really impressed by productions in recent years by the ETO. Despite operating on a small budget they are very ambitious, recently touring with a week of Handel operas and this autumn touring with Maxwell Davies' The Lighthouse, Britten's Albert Herring and Ullmann's The Emperor of Atlantis. They do a great deal for the musical life of the regions and deserve a lot of support.

I'm always impressed by the touring shows that ETO puts on. I didn't see their Barber, but did see Eugene Onegin at the Hackney Empire - a simple but highly effective set and very well sung. I'm already looking forward to their autumn tour, especially Albert Herring.

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

Delighted to report that Opera Britannia is back online, with new reviews including Scottish Opera's Tosca, Einstein on the Beach at the Barbican and from Florence, Der Rosenkavalier, rom the opening performance at the 75th Maggio Musicale Fiorentino:

http://www.opera-britannia.com

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

5 star reviews are something of a rarity for me, even more so when it comes to the Royal Opera, but Robert Carsen's new Falstaff is wonderful, Ambrogio Maestri magnificent in the title role, nearly upstaged by a horse...

http://www.opera-britannia.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=708:falstaff-the-royal-opera-15th-may-2012&catid=8:opera-reviews&Itemid=16

[NickWraight]

I largely agree with your comprehensive review IGI. I did find the slab sided pannelled walls rather domineering, heavy and dull but then again they served their purpose. Once the run settles in I would imagine a little of the slightly breathless conducting will calm down to let in some air, it did seem rushed at a few points, and the brilliant band was having a few problems of ensemble even though (rarity of rarities) there was much applause from them for Gatti at the end. An altogther woonderful ensemble evening of a great work.

[french frank]

A wonderful read, IGI, even though I'm not likely to get there to see the performance. Thanks very much.