La Forza Del Destino (Covent Garden)

[Conchis]

Kaufman has, apparently, pulled out of the public dress rehearsal, leading to rumours that he is going to pull out of the performances, too.

I have no interest in him, or this production, but I think the Riot Act needs to be read out loud (and by Pappano) if this happens. But this almost certainly won't happen.

[Cockney Sparrow]

I wonder if we get these "stars" on the basis its politic to accept engagements with Pappano / at his House - as undoubtedly he will move on, and presumably to a more influential house. I wonder how much pull ROH will have under a successor. ROH is perpetually cash strapped, and, again it seems to me, artists such as Kaufman (who always sounds to me like a baritone singing tenor pitch) prefer to stay in European houses for staged performances + The Met, alongside their $$$ earning other performances.
Unsettling to think that Kaufman might pull out, but lets hope they find an exciting replacement if it happens. I doubted his judgement taking on "Otello" at his career point, and looking at the TV performance he wasn't very involved dramatically nor in ultimate vocal commitment. So pulling out with him is always a factor (remember The Trojans - Hymel was a more than satisfactory replacement). With the likes of Harteros and Georgiou I learnt long ago not to bank on stars turning up.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Just on way back from the general rehearsal which was sensational. Kaufman's non appearance did cause a few mutterings but his replacement (Mr Netrebko as it happens ) was excellent . It was luxury casting right through the principals and for those who've paid £3,000 pounds per ticket to the touts Netrebko's Pace, Pace is arguably worth the money . Lovely solo playing by the ROH's principal clarinet. I won't make any remarks on the production as this was a rehearsal but frankly it would have been a top notch first night.

[Conchis]

Just on way back from the general rehearsal which was sensational. Kaufman's non appearance did cause a few mutterings but his replacement (Mr Netrebko as it happens ) was excellent . It was luxury casting right through the principals and for those who've paid £3,000 pounds per ticket to the touts Netrebko's Pace, Pace is arguably worth the money . Lovely solo playing by the ROH's principal clarinet. I won't make any remarks on the production as this was a rehearsal but frankly it would have been a top notch first night.

The ability to attract 'stars' is a virility symbol for major opera houses. Covent Garden may not be able to afford him but a frank admission of that fact puts it on a level with houses in Cologne or Bonn.

[underthecountertenor]

Kaufman has, apparently, pulled out of the public dress rehearsal, leading to rumours that he is going to pull out of the performances, too.

I have no interest in him, or this production, but I think the Riot Act needs to be read out loud (and by Pappano) if this happens. But this almost certainly won't happen.

You are correct that Kaufmann (sic) pulled out of the general. The reason given by the ROH was indisposition. I know of no reason to question that. As for 'rumours,' do you have a reliable source? Because all I have seen is wild speculation (most particularly on the website of mischief-maker-in-chief Norman Lebrecht, who chose the headline 'BREAKING: JONAS KAUFMANN MAY BE OUT OF COVENT GARDEN'S FORZA' on no other evidence than that he was not at the general.

He may do all the shows for which he is billed, or some of them, or none of them. But I'm not sure what the purpose is of this speculation, especially given that you say you have no interest in him or in the production.

[Declaration of interest: I have relatively modestly priced tickets for two performances, one scheduled as Netrebko/Kaufmann, the other with the other two principals (for which I got better seats for my buck). I won't be too upset if Kaufmann doesn't sing, but will be more so if Netrebko doesn't, as I've heard from more than one source that her 'Pace, pace' was sensational at the general.]

[Ein Heldenleben]

You are correct that Kaufmann (sic) pulled out of the general. The reason given by the ROH was indisposition. I know of no reason to question that. As for 'rumours,' do you have a reliable source? Because all I have seen is wild speculation (most particularly on the website of mischief-maker-in-chief Norman Lebrecht, who chose the headline 'BREAKING: JONAS KAUFMANN MAY BE OUT OF COVENT GARDEN'S FORZA' on no other evidence than that he was not at the general.

He may do all the shows for which he is billed, or some of them, or none of them. But I'm not sure what the purpose is of this speculation, especially given that you say you have no interest in him or in the production.

[Declaration of interest: I have relatively modestly priced tickets for two performances, one scheduled as Netrebko/Kaufmann, the other with the other two principals (for which I got better seats for my buck). I won't be too upset if Kaufmann doesn't sing, but will be more so if Netrebko doesn't, as I've heard from more than one source that her 'Pace, pace' was sensational at the general.]

UTC - As well as Netrebko's magnificent Pace,Pace - unbelievable control right throughout her range -you also have Ludovic Tezier's wonderful Don Carlo and Ferruccio Furlanetto's excellent Padre Guardiano to look forward to. Not to mention Veronica Simeoni's producing some excellent sounds ( and moves ! ) as Preziosalla. Yusif Eyvazov was in no sense an inferior substitute for JK . In short this was a great day of Verdi singing. Some one at ROH has opened up the Spinto treasure chest and found a few jewels ( for once ) . I had no luck in getting JK/AN perf tickets but I'm not complaining. Possibly the best £7.00 Ive ever spent ....

[underthecountertenor]

UTC - As well as Netrebko's magnificent Pace,Pace - unbelievable control right throughout her range -you also have Ludovic Tezier's wonderful Don Carlo and Ferruccio Furlanetto's excellent Padre Guardiano to look forward to. Not to mention Veronica Simeoni's producing some excellent sounds ( and moves ! ) as Preziosalla. Yusif Eyvazov was in no sense an inferior substitute for JK . In short this was a great day of Verdi singing. Some one at ROH has opened up the Spinto treasure chest and found a few jewels ( for once ) . I had no luck in getting JK/AN perf tickets but I'm not complaining. Possibly the best £7.00 Ive ever spent ....

Thanks for the mouth-watering account, HL, but at the same time I'm seriously regretting that I didn't manage to score a ticket to the general. It's not beyond the bounds of possibility that it will turn out to have been the best performance. I understand that the orchestra sounded gorgeous as well (although a hypercritic tells me that the pit/chorus co-ordination needs attention - perhaps as a result of the chorus being made to do silly things whilst singing??)

[Ein Heldenleben]

Thanks for the mouth-watering account, HL, but at the same time I'm seriously regretting that I didn't manage to score a ticket to the general. It's not beyond the bounds of possibility that it will turn out to have been the best performance. I understand that the orchestra sounded gorgeous as well (although a hypercritic tells me that the pit/chorus co-ordination needs attention - perhaps as a result of the chorus being made to do silly things whilst singing??)

The orchestra were on top form for this wonderfully scored opera. Some superlative clarinet playing - indeed I thought the principal clarinet should have had a solo bow. Wonderfully conducted by Pappano who seems to be enjoying himself hugely . Yes the usual synchro problems and yes a phenomenal amount of chorus movement in the 'wartime cabaret' scene - little chance of seeing the conductor's beat even with strategically placed monitors. AP's beat always seems at least an entire beat ahead of the music . I suppose Opera performers are used to it but I can't get my brain around it. I saw a tv feature once where the prompter's beat seemed about a half beat ahead of the conductor - still trying to work that one out.Final thought AP's colla voce conducting is superlative - is he following his singers or leading them ? It doesn't sound rehearsed but I guess that's the art of it...

[underthecountertenor]

The orchestra were on top form for this wonderfully scored opera. Some superlative clarinet playing - indeed I thought the principal clarinet should have had a solo bow. Wonderfully conducted by Pappano who seems to be enjoying himself hugely . Yes the usual synchro problems and yes a phenomenal amount of chorus movement in the 'wartime cabaret' scene - little chance of seeing the conductor's beat even with strategically placed monitors. AP's beat always seems at least an entire beat ahead of the music . I suppose Opera performers are used to it but I can't get my brain around it. I saw a tv feature once where the prompter's beat seemed about a half beat ahead of the conductor - still trying to work that one out.Final thought AP's colla voce conducting is superlative - is he following his singers or leading them ? It doesn't sound rehearsed but I guess that's the art of it...

Thanks again. The collective ability of an orchestra (or choir) to respond at exactly the same 'wrong' time to a conductor's beat is one of the great mysteries of music-making. It amuses me when people in choirs I sing in make a point of coming in exactly on the conductor's beat and then are flagged down (quite properly in my view) for being early. It shows a lack of instinctive awareness, in my view. But this is probably opening a can of worms (and certainly has nothing whatsoever to do with the OP )

AP's colla voce conducting verges on the miraculous.

[Conchis]

You are correct that Kaufmann (sic) pulled out of the general. The reason given by the ROH was indisposition. I know of no reason to question that. As for 'rumours,' do you have a reliable source? Because all I have seen is wild speculation (most particularly on the website of mischief-maker-in-chief Norman Lebrecht, who chose the headline 'BREAKING: JONAS KAUFMANN MAY BE OUT OF COVENT GARDEN'S FORZA' on no other evidence than that he was not at the general.

He may do all the shows for which he is billed, or some of them, or none of them. But I'm not sure what the purpose is of this speculation, especially given that you say you have no interest in him or in the production.

[Declaration of interest: I have relatively modestly priced tickets for two performances, one scheduled as Netrebko/Kaufmann, the other with the other two principals (for which I got better seats for my buck). I won't be too upset if Kaufmann doesn't sing, but will be more so if Netrebko doesn't, as I've heard from more than one source that her 'Pace, pace' was sensational at the general.]

The problem is, his frequent cancellations have only made stories like this more newsworthy than they would otherwise be.

I lost interest in Herr Merchant when he started doing silly things, like his solo version of Das Lied and that ridiculous attempt at Vier Letzte Lieder (the London performance of which was cancelled)

He has far too much power behind the scenes and the way he wields it does not make for good artistic results. When a singer is allowed to overrule a conductor (as Kaufmann was seen to to in that notorious documentary), it is time to withdraw your support.


A pox on uppity singers!

[Ein Heldenleben]

Off thread but didn't Solti a former music director at ROH insist on the orchestra coming in ( and following ) exactly on his beat ? Equally wasn't it said by musicians of Richard Strauss's laid back style " don't start till the baton has passed the third button of his waistcoat on the upbeat "? Both great conductors....

[Prommer]

but will be more so if Netrebko doesn't, as I've heard from more than one source that her 'Pace, pace' was sensational at the general.]

It was. Her voice is now a miracle, across the range. The opportunities for her chest voice in this opera were especially gratifying at the general. I am not a Jonas groupie, but very much like his voice. He was missed here - Yusuf Eyvazov was fine but his voice has a quality I do not like (nasal? heady?). Furlanetto and Corbelli were a great pair of monks!

[Ein Heldenleben]

I think Yusuf has quite a fast 'tight'(?) vibrato - not to every one's taste but he can hit the notes which these days with Verdi tenors is a real bonus. Also thought his voice warmed up well. Though it's not a huge role is it? ...and yes a great pair of monks . Not to be trifled with I thought ..

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

... wasn't it said by musicians of Richard Strauss's laid back style " don't start till the baton has passed the third button of his waistcoat on the upbeat "? Both great conductors....

I think that that was a reference to Furtwangler, rather than Strauss - but these apocryphal stories do get bandied around, so it may well have been used about Strauss. WF had the most peculiar conducting style (to watch - flapping about like a penguin with broken wings) and the version of this that I've heard is that a young member of an orchestra (VPO, IIRC) couldn't work out how the rest of the orchestra managed to synchronise their entries, so asked an older coleague who made the waistcoat comment.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Thanks Ferney ..I knew it was an uber talented German conductor ..just the wrong one.How WF achieved such sound with that conducting style is one of the miracles of music. Didn't a BPO timpanist say the orchestra would play better when WF just happened to walk into another conductor's rehearsal?