Jonas Kaufmann double bill (documentary/ROH Otello) BBC4, 15.10.17

[Zucchini]

reminder

[Stanley Stewart]

Jonas Kaufmann double bill, BBC4, tonight, 15th October

HD recorder set for tonight's documentary, Jonas Kaufmann - Tenor
for the Ages, BBC 4, 21.00hrs, followed by Kaufmann's Otello/Pappano
at the ROH, 22.30 - 01.00hrs. The documentary follows Kaufmann
through the first half of this year, taking in a Bayern Munich match, a residency
at London's Barbican after a hiatus caused by vocal problems, and rehearsals
for Covent Garden's Otello - an inviting appetiser for Otello, directed by
Keith Warner. Disappointed by the late night scheduling as the early part of
the evening has scheduled two repeat items.

[Pianorak]

Thanks for the heads up, Stanley. Thank god This programme will be available shortly after broadcast

[gingerjon]

Thanks for the reminder.

10.30pm is a bit of a brutal start time for an opera though! I'm also wincing at the official listing being "Kaufmann's Otello" ...

[Cockney Sparrow]

Thanks for the reminder.

10.30pm is a bit of a brutal start time for an opera though! I'm also wincing at the official listing being "Kaufmann's Otello" ...

I can only conclude its a real problem for the schedulers - I mean the former slot for new documentaries on non-rock non-pop (ok - let's just say classical music) at 7.30 on Friday being under enormous pressure - there must be so much demand for the repeats of "Top of the Pops" and "The Good Old days" (Friday 13th October).

[Stunsworth]

I enjoyed that. What a likeable and down to earth chap he appears to be.

[kernelbogey]

Watching Act I. Superb direction and singing.

Edit: added some thoughts on the other thread.

[DracoM]

Saw him as Parsifal at the Met. He was the best thing by a mile. Production was drenched in blood, orchestra were ....erm.....a bit rough, but Kaufmann did his stuff.

[Dave2002]

I enjoyed that. What a likeable and down to earth chap he appears to be.

Absolutely, and he seems to be very skilled and musical also - which of course most of us knew.

[Stanley Stewart]

A most absorbing documentary followed by a stunning production. Time to retire and will discuss in due course as I'm about set an overnight transfer from HD to a 240 mins DVD.
One to treasure!

[kernelbogey]

A most absorbing documentary followed by a stunning production. Time to retire and will discuss in due course as I'm about set an overnight transfer from HD to a 240 mins DVD.
One to treasure!

I, too, will return to this.

[Stanfordian]

Thanks for the reminder.

10.30pm is a bit of a brutal start time for an opera though! I'm also wincing at the official listing being "Kaufmann's Otello" ...

Hiya gingerjon,

The BBC showing an opera production. This is the BBC so please be thankful for small mercies!

[Stanley Stewart]

Kept right on to the end of the road in the witching hours of the morning; quickly fell asleep after a short period of reminiscence. Retired after checking that an overnight transfer from HD to DVD was underway, always relieved to know that I have a separate 'finalised' DVD as a master copy if my HD recordings disappear into cyberspace! I'm convinced that the Kaufmann documentary and ROH Otello will be collector's items of value. The digital age has enormously advanced production standards; no more bumping and clatter which used to follow the tedious
process of closed traverse curtains, even scenic changes follow smoothly; the craft of lighting almost an art in itself. Enhanced picture and sound adds enormously to TV viewing.

I warmed to the documentary and was charmed by Jonas Kaufmann's lack of pretence or
affectation. Quietly confident of his worth, intelligent in discourse, capable of a twinkle in the eye. A gift for any MD or Stage Director. His vocal problems for several months must have been a matter of extreme concern. Shrewd, too, to tackle Otello in his forties for he is likely to be in demand for at least the next 20 years. If I have one caveat about his Otello, it didn't arise until his final scene when, possibly, exhaustion prevented him from tapping into the delirium of a character predisposed to murder his wife. Made me wonder whether he discussed these aspects with Keith West! I also remembered seeing Charles Craig, Sadler's Wells Italianate!, as Otello, delivering a natural dignity and probity to the role, circa 1982, a touching contrast with
Rosalind Plowright, a young Desdemona, of grace and pliancy,with Neil Howlett's Iago
chillingly convincing. A surprise 'hit' for ENO in an era of draconian cuts, yet still vivid in
my memory.

[alywin]

Retired after checking that an overnight transfer from HD to DVD was underway, always relieved to know that I have a separate 'finalised' DVD as a master copy if my HD recordings disappear into cyberspace!

Quite. Can I ask what your equipment is, Stanley, maybe by PM if you don't want to clog up here? I may need something new myself.

[DracoM]

Tiny bit weird was that the BBC ran Otello twice in less than four days - one on TV, one on R3.