Britten on BBC4

[mercia]

I watched BB on 4 last night - was Claggart booed at the end because he is a baddy, or because the audience didn't like his performance ?

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

I watched BB on 4 last night - was Claggart booed at the end because he is a baddy, or because the audience didn't like his performance ?

A pet peeve of mine: audience inability to separate character from performer. It reduces opera to pantomime. Pinkerton and Scarpia are other such curtain call victims.

[mercia]

It reduces opera to pantomime.

well quite. I guess I'd assumed (not being an opera-goer myself) that a Glyndebourne audience would be an ultra-sophisticated lot.

[Richard Tarleton]

A pet peeve of mine: audience inability to separate character from performer. It reduces opera to pantomime. Pinkerton and Scarpia are other such curtain call victims.

Interesting that - doesn't happen in Wagner does it? I haven't heard Hagen or Alberich being booed?

[Richard Tarleton]

Back to last night's programme - I did wonder if those running today's BBC, watching this programme, paused to reflect on the amount of music coverage on TV in those days - perhaps they simply regard it as an historical curiosity.

[VodkaDilc]

A pet peeve of mine: audience inability to separate character from performer. It reduces opera to pantomime. Pinkerton and Scarpia are other such curtain call victims.

Scarpia was booed at the recent WNO Tosca in Oxford, but I'm sure it was meant to be a compliment. Actually he wasn't an especially strong Scarpia, but I don't think that caused the boos - they were very good natured.

[jean]

It's always very obvious when the audience is booing the character, because they are booing and applauding loudly at the same time, and it's the same people - it is clearly not two groups of audience members with opposing views in competition, something you don't get in this country much anyway because we are too polite.

It happens in serious theatre as well.

.

[Flay]

It's always very obvious when the audiesnce is booing the character, because they are booing and applauding loudly at the same time, and it's the same people - it is clearly not two groups of audience members with opposing views in competition, something you don't get in this country much anyway because we are too polite.

It happens in serious theatre as well.

Yes - it is a compliment, and is always received with good humour (often with a scowl or leer at the audience, generating a greater response).

[Nick Armstrong]

Thankyou....I wanted to explore the 3rdQ a little more....

I do not know his String Quartets but found the segment concerning the final movement of the 3rd quartet enthralling. So now, I need to get a recording, not sure which one

I am precisely in the same position, 8tho & BS

Takács on Hyperion ... Emperor Quartet on BIS, containing Quartets 1 and 3 (I adored their disc of No.2 a few years ago)... is recorded very close and the Emperors have a 'go fro broke' intensity which not all will take to... Belcea Qt on EMI and the Magginis on Naxos.

Just the steers I was looking for, thanks

Sounds like a choice between the Takács & the Magginis, for me. Any views on their relative merits, IGI? And the Elias Quartet are very well thought of, iirc... any views?

[Stephen Whitaker]

I went to this at G in summer 2010 - Billy's monologue before his execution was sublime; but the Claggart was too 'melodrama villain' and JM Ainsley failed to cut it in the theatre, I thought, as the Captain. He might we come over much better on the tv...

I thought J-M A. came across very well on screen by being understated and visibly conflicted in the final scenes.
Maybe not the qualities that cross the footlights well.
His chief merit for me was in his total difference from P.P.,
never once recalling the original creator's performance.

[Richard Tarleton]

Any views on their relative merits, IGI?

And indeed on the Belceas? I've been enjoying their rendition of all 3 on a double CD for a tenner.

I was at the Maltings for the first perf. of 3 by the Amadeus - only shortly after BB's funeral, a solemn occasion. They also played a Razumovsky, IIRC.

[Nick Armstrong]

the Belceas?

I left them out as I usually have a problem with the sound they make...

[Richard Tarleton]

I left them out as I usually have a problem with the sound they make...

I'd be most interested to hear what that is, Cali perhaps I need another version as well! I still have the Albernis on LP.

[eighthobstruction]

Not sure if it is my Sound System (such that it is)....but the sound landscape/acoustics of Maggini Naxos 3Q is a bit lacking....whereas a full version of End game rendition would be favourite....

....but I'm no expert (as you should all by now know).....

[Nick Armstrong]

a full version of End game rendition would be favourite....

Interesting, yes it sounded great - I failed to note which version was used in the programme, anyone notice?

I'd be most interested to hear what that is, Cali

I just find their sound a bit ripe and not quite as plumb in-tune as my ears need... (cf. recent LvB quartets, as heard on BAL and the following Monday morning)

Knowing my luck, it was probably that one used in the programme...