The Valkyrie - ENO

[Ein Heldenleben]

I think even I could cope manfully with the first act in the unlikely event that I was ever cast as Wotan.

I don’t know. I think sitting in the dressing room listening over a tinny speaker to Act One with the demands of Acts 2 and 3 to come might be worse than being on stage and singing.

[underthecountertenor]

I don’t know. I think sitting in the dressing room listening over a tinny speaker to Act One with the demands of Acts 2 and 3 to come might be worse than being on stage and singing.

Well, there is that!

[Darkbloom]

One of the things I have always admired about opera is the way singers feel an obligation to help out if one of them is indisposed. Wotan is as demanding a role as it gets but someone is still prepared to step in at the last minute. I think something similar happened at ENO in the eighties when the tenor pulled out of Lohengrin and Siegfried Jerusalem stepped in and took over.

[LHC]

One of the things I have always admired about opera is the way singers feel an obligation to help out if one of them is indisposed. Wotan is as demanding a role as it gets but someone is still prepared to step in at the last minute. I think something similar happened at ENO in the eighties when the tenor pulled out of Lohengrin and Siegfried Jerusalem stepped in and took over.

It was the opening night of a new Parsifal under Goodall. Warren Ellsworth was ill and couldn’t sing and ENO were fortunate that Jerusalem agreed to sing at very short notice. He was in London because he was due to make his debut at Covent Garden a few days later as Erik in the Flying Dutchman, so not only did ENO get a first class replacement, they also hosted Jerusalem’s British operatic debut (in a much better role than the Opera House had booked him for)

He had a quick walk through of the production with one of the ADs in the afternoon and then gave a wonderful performance, including some tricky stage action which he pulled off perfectlly.

I was there and well remember the groans from the audience when Ellsworth’s indisposition was announced, which were very quickly followed by excited ooohs and aahs when Jerusalem was announced as the replacement.

[Ein Heldenleben]

It was the opening night of a new Parsifal under Goodall. Warren Ellsworth was ill and couldn’t sing and ENO were fortunate that Jerusalem agreed to sing at very short notice. He was in London because he was due to make his debut at Covent Garden a few days later as Erik in the Flying Dutchman, so not only did ENO get a first class replacement, they also hosted Jerusalem’s British operatic debut (in a much better role than the Opera House had booked him for)

He had a quick walk through of the production with one of the ADs in the afternoon and then gave a wonderful performance, including some tricky stage action which he pulled off perfectlly.

I was there and well remember the groans from the audience when Ellsworth’s indisposition was announced, which were very quickly followed by excited ooohs and aahs when Jerusalem was announced as the replacement.

I wish I’d been there. Call me cynical but I wonder if he filled in for Siegfried Jerusalem’s fee rather than Warren Ellsworth’s?
On the other hand I’ve had Jon Vickers replaced by some one or other at Covent Garden and some in the stalls shouting “Money back!”

[Darkbloom]

Anyone trying to replace Jon Vickers is always going to be on a hiding to nothing.

Thanks for correcting me, LHC. I don't know why I thought it was Lohengrin. There's always the lucky dip element involved in live opera. Unfortunately, all too often, the singer is available for reasons immediately obvious when they start to sing.

[Prommer]

So: tonight is the night Negus is conducting his one performance of the run (on little or no extra rehearsal, I think).

Am hoping some kind soul might be there to see it and report back, as for other reasons I no longer can. Fingers crossed a full turnout (including Anthony!)

Am curious particularly if anyone hears this in addition to a 'Brabbins night'... and can compare and contrast!

[Orphical]

Negus conducts The Valkyrie

So: tonight is the night Negus is conducting his one performance of the run (on little or no extra rehearsal, I think).

Am hoping some kind soul might be there to see it and report back, as for other reasons I no longer can. Fingers crossed a full turnout (including Anthony!)

Am curious particularly if anyone hears this in addition to a 'Brabbins night'... and can compare and contrast!

I’m unable to comment on Martyn Brabbins conducting as I was only able to attend one performance and it had to be by Antony Negus.
I’m old enough to remember him stepping in for an indisposed Goodall for the WNO Parsifal with a wonderful Warren Ellsworth and Linda Esther Gray as Kundry.
I was in my late teens and it was one of my first encounters with Wagner in the theatre.
Tonight had a lot to live up to.
Enough has been said about the production, pointless additional figures, too much running around, an underwhelming visual picture to end act three on.
And as soon as the prelude to Act 1 began I cried.
To experience Wagner live, in the theatre, conducted so sympathetically and wisely by Anthony Negus unmanned me.
I warmed to Rachel Nicholls, an interpretation that will grow and mature yet I fear for her voice in such a large house.
I so wanted to like Matthew Rose but the direction he was given did everything to distract from the natural lyricism and nobility in his voice. His appearance, costume etc. Enough already. We are all so so tired of Wotan stripped of dignity, nobility of bearing etc.
Checked shirt and cords goddammit. How can we empathise?
Emma Bell was outstanding. Who else was reminded of Anne Evans?
Nicky Spence was very good and so was Sherratt.
The evening belonged to Negus.
Everything felt right. And the orchestra played magnificently for him. The ovation at the end said it all.
The Rhinegold next season? I will travel down to see it even if Anthony Negus isn’t offered an evening but I really think he should have at least one performance. I remember how generous Richard Armstrong was to Goodall.
Hope this makes some sense! I’m back at my hotel Feeling very tired and a little emotional.

[Prommer]

I’m unable to comment on Martyn Brabbins conducting as I was only able to attend one performance and it had to be by Antony Negus.
I’m old enough to remember him stepping in for an indisposed Goodall for the WNO Parsifal with a wonderful Warren Ellsworth and Linda Esther Gray as Kundry.
I was in my late teens and it was one of my first encounters with Wagner in the theatre.
Tonight had a lot to live up to.
Enough has been said about the production, pointless additional figures, too much running around, an underwhelming visual picture to end act three on.
And as soon as the prelude to Act 1 began I cried.
To experience Wagner live, in the theatre, conducted so sympathetically and wisely by Anthony Negus unmanned me.
I warmed to Rachel Nicholls, an interpretation that will grow and mature yet I fear for her voice in such a large house.
I so wanted to like Matthew Rose but the direction he was given did everything to distract from the natural lyricism and nobility in his voice. His appearance, costume etc. Enough already. We are all so so tired of Wotan stripped of dignity, nobility of bearing etc.
Checked shirt and cords goddammit. How can we empathise?
Emma Bell was outstanding. Who else was reminded of Anne Evans?
Nicky Spence was very good and so was Sherratt.
The evening belonged to Negus.
Everything felt right. And the orchestra played magnificently for him. The ovation at the end said it all.
The Rhinegold next season? I will travel down to see it even if Anthony Negus isn’t offered an evening but I really think he should have at least one performance. I remember how generous Richard Armstrong was to Goodall.
Hope this makes some sense! I’m back at my hotel Feeling very tired and a little emotional.

Thank you! Great reportage...

[Prommer]

I was able to make it after all... I would echo your comments on the production!

Negus got a very fine performance from the orchestra. They look a bit startled at his very clear and precise cueing of most things (not used to this with M. Brabbins?), but as things began to flow inexorably, they paid him much more attention, even when not playing. A sure sign.

I saw/heard only act I of the dress rehearsal, which was limp. This had more tension and fire, though not much difference in the tempi. Act II the highlight of the conducting, where his real experience showed. I had the added pleasure of being near the bank of harps, so I had a harp symphony to enjoy in Act III - bliss.

Rachel Nicholls as Brunnhilde was good, but she seems to have lost a degree of amplitude in her voice. Emma Bell as Sieglinde has a 'proper' Wagner voice, but pretty indifferent diction. Should they not have been singing each other's roles, was my thought?

Spence's diction very fine - but he could afford to sing out more. Matthew Rose has a great voice in mid range, and is a sensitive singer, but I felt he is nowhere near inside the part yet, lacking authority - not helped by his costume etc. It will come, I am sure.

Very affecting curtain call, with loud cheers for Negus - and the cast clearly delighted and moved to have worked with him, and to have helped ensured that he got his gig after all.

Rae Nicholls looking very tearful, as she welcomed him from the wings, and Matthew Rose whipping his phone out on stage to take a picture of Negus out front, receiving his applause. Lovely.

I would be surprised if this were not the performance of the run. One more, though, on Friday.