ROH - Reopening - BBC4

[ardcarp]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000kqq7

Anita Rani, Katie Derham and Antonio Pappano introduce highlights of the Royal Opera House’s first emotional performances after lockdown.

The programme features a world premiere from choreographer Wayne MacGregor, classic opera arias and songs performed by Gerald Finley, Louise Alder, Toby Spence, David Butt Philip, Sarah Connolly and the Royal Opera House’s Jette Parker Young Artists as well as excerpts from ballets by Ashton, MacMillan and Wheeldon.

Antonio Pappano is joined by musicians from the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House and the performances are filmed in line with social distancing rules against the backdrop of the beautiful Royal Opera House auditorium.

Intriguing reduced orchestra for the Mahler.

The website playlist seems totally at odds with the programme...or maybe I'm even more confused than usual.

[oddoneout]

Saw much of this. A somewhat odd(but not unpleasant) experience. The reduced 'orchestra' and its position on stage rather than below gave a very different sound world I thought - the first Mahler Lied von der Erde with Sarah Connolly sounded so much like Kurt Weill to my ears it was a bit disconcerting. The on-screen info was minimal for the most part, blink and you miss it, which was frustrating in terms of knowing more abut the dance items for instance*. The young artists did have the words on screen for their slots at least - and the scheme seems to be doing its bit for promoting BAME singers. Louise Alder's Handel aria I thought delightful, and her accompanist was seemingly greatly enjoying his part - but his facial expressions were distracting to say the least.

*and a quick look online was less than helpful to say the least.

[bluestateprommer]

Announcement on Wednesday from the ROH on re-opening in May (fingers crossed):

https://www.roh.org.uk/news/royal-opera-house-to-open-its-doors-to-audiences-for-first-time-since-november

"Today the Royal Opera House is excited to announce that it will once again open its doors to audiences on 17 May 2021, with a packed schedule of in-person performances from both The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera, brand new work available to stream online, and the world’s first opera in hyper-reality."