An interesting 2013/14 season has been announced, the details here
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And somewhat à propos, an article about the ROH and the views of Antonio Pappano.It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world. -
He speaks sense, and as someone who sings chorus on that stage, I totally agree. We're in the right hands with Pappano - he's brilliant, and I'm totally star-struck. A pity some of the top stars don't have the same commitment to their art.Originally posted by french frank View PostComment
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I'm with you on this Simon
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It's already had a biting response from Jennifer Rowley, who left the production of Robert le diable just days before the first performance.Originally posted by french frank View Post
Regarding the new season, I think there's an excellent balance of 'bums-on-seats' revivals, mostly excellently cast, and new productions of some meatier, more challenging works.Our chief weapon is surprise...surprise and fear...fear and surprise.... Our two weapons are fear and surprise...and ruthless efficiency....Comment
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I don't understand. Didn't the Opera House have a contract with her? Can it just tear it up?Comment
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It was reported that the withdrawal was 'mutually agreed' and that this was not a suitable role for a debut appearance from a relatively inexperienced newcomer. Others claimed she was effectively 'fired' while the queries were why she was given the role in the first place. I don't think Pappano mentioned her, but some of the papers did some cursory research and came up with her as possibly meant.Originally posted by David-G View PostIt isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.Comment
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Sadly, I think Pappano's real target was the cancellitis amongst the big stars, not the likes of Jennifer Rowley, but bizarrely he referred to young singers and has therefore given many people a misleading impression. I assume he chose to cloak his words slightly in this way, as he fears the immediate impact that taking on his friends at the top of the profession would have on his own House - especially if none of his peers in the major opera houses is prepared to stick his head above the parapet too. Which is part of the very problem (ie we are beholden to too small a group of star singers and they have started behaving very badly - because they can get away with it).
As a result, Fabio Luisi from the Met has weighed in saying that the problem is offering young singers roles for which they are not yet ready. This is indeed a problem (often because some other established star has pulled out, as above!), but for whatever reason he too has missed the point.
If only Pappano and others like Luisi tackled the main problem head on. Instead, they prefer to cloak their words and dissemble (in the words of the Prayer Book Evensong service) and just dance around the key point.Comment
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Erm.............Anna Netrebko, anyone?Comment
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I don't think Pappano mentioned 'young' singers himself. He referred to 'this generation' of singers, which lazy journalists have interpreted as meaning the younger generation and then young singers. In fact, young singers don't tend to cancel as they can't afford to. It is the established singers, like Gheorghui, Harteros, etc who are more likely to cancel. Generally speaking, younger singers are the beneficiaries as they are often called in to save the show.Originally posted by Prommer View Post
Of course there have always been serial cancellers (Pavarotti and Caballe were notorious in the past), but the problem does seem more widespread now; perhaps because every house is chasing the same small group of singers and they don't allow themselves sufficient rest time between engagements.
One final point of order. Fabio Luisi's main house is the Zurich Opera House, rather than the Met"I do not approve of anything that tampers with natural ignorance. Ignorance is like a delicate exotic fruit; touch it and the bloom is gone. The whole theory of modern education is radically unsound. Fortunately in England, at any rate, education produces no effect whatsoever. If it did, it would prove a serious danger to the upper classes, and probably lead to acts of violence in Grosvenor Square."
Lady Bracknell The importance of Being EarnestComment
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If this is the case, then yes, I was wrong (and thank you for pointing this out): journalists have thereby conspired to make him appear to be hitting the wrong target, which is the worst of all worlds. He will therefore be doubly frustrated.Originally posted by LHC View PostComment
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Has Anna N cancelled recently at Covent Garden - I see she is due back in Faust with a stellar cast - Calleja/Terfel and Keenlyside.Comment
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i don't think Anna N has a reputation for no shows; she did have a run of cancellations last year (or was it the year before?) because of urgent foot surgery, but I don't think she's quite in the Georghiu class.Originally posted by Barbirollians View PostComment
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No, indeed! I have worked with her many times and she is a goddess - turns up on time, takes direction and sings like a dream. She is also delightful and refreshingly free of diva behavior.Originally posted by Mandryka View PostComment
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