Prom 68: Britten - A Midsummer Night's Dream, Garsington Opera / Philharmonia, Boyd

**Darkbloom** · 30-08-24, 12:27

Lucy Crowe and Christine Rice were tipped for major stardom at one point, but it doesn't seem to have quite happened. I don't mean any disrespect to Garsington, but they aren't one of the major opera festivals of the world and presumably have to draw from an affordable talent pool rather being able to choose from the best singers around. It's curious how certain singers seem to be ubiquitous for a while and then virtually disappear without trace. Whether that's due to vocal trouble (which is incredibly common) or they develop a reputation for being difficult, I'm not sure.

**Prommer** · 10-09-24, 13:14

Looking forward to this...! Did anyone see it at Garsington?

**Ein Heldenleben** · 10-09-24, 13:26

Originally posted by Darkbloom View Post

Lucy Crowe and Christine Rice were tipped for major stardom at one point, but it doesn't seem to have quite happened. I don't mean any disrespect to Garsington, but they aren't one of the major opera festivals of the world and presumably have to draw from an affordable talent pool rather being able to choose from the best singers around. It's curious how certain singers seem to be ubiquitous for a while and then virtually disappear without trace. Whether that's due to vocal trouble (which is incredibly common) or they develop a reputation for being difficult, I'm not sure.

Lucy has sung Gilda at Covent Garden and is singing Susannah at the Met later this year. She’s all singing with Rattle and the Bavarian later this year. I would certainly describe her as a “major star.” Christine has sung a lot of major roles at Covent Garden also - but arguably more recondite fare e.g. Handel and Ades. A lot of a singers careers hang on what suits their voice and what they feel comfortable with . The big Wagner , Puccini and Strauss female roles aren’t for every one or every voice . That doesn’t mean they are not exceptional artists.

**smittims** · 10-09-24, 13:28

As a fan of Christine Rice, I've noticed the phenomenon Darkbloom refers to, of once-famous singers disappearing,. Of course , everyone is an individual , so there could be many reasons. It happens to TV actors too. I imagine that, however good you are, keeping your name up high enough is a constant problem. A good example here I think,is Myleen Klass, who began as a member of a compettition-winning group, then decided to emerge as a classical pianist, found it overcrowded, and reverted to (or was advised by her agent to ) appearences on Classic Fm, then on chat shows talking about her baby, and eventually taking a shower in a bikini on 'I'm A Celebrity, get me out of here!'

I don't mean to scoff. It must be tough. I'm just relieved I never had to do it.

**Darkbloom** · 10-09-24, 13:44

Originally posted by Ein Heldenleben View Post

Lucy has sung Gilda at Covent Garden and is singing Susannah at the Met later this year. She’s all singing with Rattle and the Bavarian later this year. I would certainly describe her as a “major star.” Christine has sung a lot of major roles at Covent Garden also - but arguably more recondite fare e.g. Handel and Ades. A lot of a singers careers hang on what suits their voice and what they feel comfortable with . The big Wagner , Puccini and Strauss female roles aren’t for every one or every voice . That doesn’t mean they are not exceptional artists.

That's interesting, thanks. I think the last opera I saw Christine Rice in was The Minotaur, which is about as recondite as it gets. One singer who just dropped off the radar completely was Alastair Miles - who was everywhere at one time, back in the early '90s, but I haven't heard him since. I remember seeing him talked up as a potential Wotan even, but dropped down the memory hole and the last time I heard him mentioned it was as the father of someone who was in a talent contest on TV (I think). I remember being at the Coliseum to see Rosa Mannion's (another rising star at one time) career implode during a run of Manon. Jane Eaglen is teaching in America now after vocal trouble. I'm sure there are lots of other singers that people could name who you find yourself thinking, 'whatever happened to them?'.

**Cockney Sparrow** · 10-09-24, 14:14

Last December I saw Lucy Crowe in the title role – Rodelinda, Handel – concert performance - also in the cast: Christine Rice (and Iestyn Davies ) - Harry Bicket, The English Concert. Next stop was Carnegie Hall……

**Ein Heldenleben** · 10-09-24, 14:17

Originally posted by smittims View Post

As a fan of Christine Rice, I've noticed the phenomenon Darkbloom refers to, of once-famous singers disappearing,. Of course , everyone is an individual , so there could be many reasons. It happens to TV actors too. I imagine that, however good you are, keeping your name up high enough is a constant problem. A good example here I think,is Myleen Klass, who began as a member of a compettition-winning group, then decided to emerge as a classical pianist, found it overcrowded, and reverted to (or was advised by her agent to ) appearences on Classic Fm, then on chat shows talking about her baby, and eventually taking a shower in a bikini on 'I'm A Celebrity, get me out of here!'

I don't mean to scoff. It must be tough. I'm just relieved I never had to do it.

I don’t think Mylene Klass was anywhere near becoming a professional concert pianist and I think she knew that early on and sensibly went down the singing , presenting , modelling , reality show route . Concert pianism is massively overcrowded with talent who can play anything whereas she was technically just not at that level.

**LHC** · 10-09-24, 14:27

I would describe both Lucy Crowe and Christine Rice as major stars, and both appear to have very full diaries so don't lack for engagements.

In the 2023/24 season, Christine Rice has sung in Peter Grimes for ENO, Rodelinda on tour with the English Concert in the UK, China, Korea and the US, the Exterminating Angel in Paris, Un Giorno di Regno and a Midsummer Night's Dream in Garsington, as well as individual concerts. In the coming year she will be singing at ENO and the ROH, the Bavarian State Opera, Santa Fe and Rome Opera

Lucy Crowe has been similarly busy. She was also in the English Concert Rodelinda tour (as was Iestyn Davies) as well as A Midsummer Night's Dream, and has performed in lots of concerts and recitals across Europe.

As EH has said, they have both sung at the major opera houses and continue to do so. I think its a little unfair to suggest that they have disappeared without trace and to ascribe that to either having vocal problems or being difficult, when neither of them have had any such difficulties or shown any such tendencies.

Incidentally, Alastair Miles' recent performances in the last year and a bit include Pelleas et Melisande in Paris, Werther at the ROH, Rakes Progress at Glyndebourne, Don Giovanni in Zurich and Ernani in Buxton. He's also singing in Tales of Hoffmann at the ROH later this year, so also seems to be keeping very busy.

**Prommer** · 10-09-24, 14:42

I give you... Marina Poplavskaya. Ubiquitous a few years ago.

**Pulcinella** · 10-09-24, 14:44

During the Covid pandemic, as soon as conditions allowed, Lucy Crowe sang occasionally outside her house to a spatially distanced assembly in the street. My godson, who lives nearby, sent a couple of video clips.
A star indeed!

**Darkbloom** · 10-09-24, 16:18

Originally posted by LHC View Post

I would describe both Lucy Crowe and Christine Rice as major stars, and both appear to have very full diaries so don't lack for engagements.

In the 2023/24 season, Christine Rice has sung in Peter Grimes for ENO, Rodelinda on tour with the English Concert in the UK, China, Korea and the US, the Exterminating Angel in Paris, Un Giorno di Regno and a Midsummer Night's Dream in Garsington, as well as individual concerts. In the coming year she will be singing at ENO and the ROH, the Bavarian State Opera, Santa Fe and Rome Opera

Lucy Crowe has been similarly busy. She was also in the English Concert Rodelinda tour (as was Iestyn Davies) as well as A Midsummer Night's Dream, and has performed in lots of concerts and recitals across Europe.

As EH has said, they have both sung at the major opera houses and continue to do so. I think its a little unfair to suggest that they have disappeared without trace and to ascribe that to either having vocal problems or being difficult, when neither of them have had any such difficulties or shown any such tendencies.

Incidentally, Alastair Miles' recent performances in the last year and a bit include Pelleas et Melisande in Paris, Werther at the ROH, Rakes Progress at Glyndebourne, Don Giovanni in Zurich and Ernani in Buxton. He's also singing in Tales of Hoffmann at the ROH later this year, so also seems to be keeping very busy.

Just to be clear, I'm not saying that any of them have had vocal problems, merely suggesting that this is often the reason why singers suddenly aren't around any more, particularly when they have been so prominent before. There may be other reasons, of course (caring for children, older relatives etc) but it's something that I have noticed quite often in the opera world. I don't follow it as closely as I used to so perhaps that is one reason why I am not so familiar with all the comings and goings.

**Master Jacques** · 10-09-24, 16:33

Originally posted by Pulcinella View Post

During the Covid pandemic, as soon as conditions allowed, Lucy Crowe sang occasionally outside her house to a spatially distanced assembly in the street. My godson, who lives nearby, sent a couple of video clips.
A star indeed!

Yes indeed, and still one of the biggest around.

Mind you, these singers ... whatever happened to that Maria Malibran? I haven't heard a word about her for centuries, though she was tipped for great things at one time. I heard she went to Manchester, and hasn't been seen since.

**LHC** · 10-09-24, 18:03

Originally posted by Darkbloom View Post

Just to be clear, I'm not saying that any of them have had vocal problems, merely suggesting that this is often the reason why singers suddenly aren't around any more, particularly when they have been so prominent before. There may be other reasons, of course (caring for children, older relatives etc) but it's something that I have noticed quite often in the opera world. I don't follow it as closely as I used to so perhaps that is one reason why I am not so familiar with all the comings and goings.

Apologies for any misunderstanding, but the juxtaposition did make it look as if you were suggesting that these might be the reasons for them dropping off your radar.

You are quite correct though that opera singers can be subject to vocal problems that curtail once promising careers much earlier than expected, especially if they are encouraged to take on too many large roles too soon. That was certainly the case with Marina Poplavskaya, who was mentioned earlier in this thread.

Its not a new phenomenon either. Wilhelmine Schröder-Devrient, although much admired by Wagner and others, had a fairly short career, possibly because she started singing at a young age (she sang Pamina in Vienna when just 17 and Leonore in Fidelio at just 18) and was determined to sing bigger and more dramatic roles than were suitable for her voice.

**bluestateprommer** · 10-09-24, 21:20

Originally posted by Prommer View Post

Looking forward to this...! Did anyone see it at Garsington?

Obviously I didn't see this AMND production at Garsington, but I did see it at Santa Fe Opera (posted about it way back when) back in 2021. (Well, most of it; got there 15 minutes late, because I mis-timed the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival concert the same night.)

This Proms performance today of AMND was a very, very good performance indeed. It'll be interesting to look at social media pictures later to see what got "opened up" in re-tooling the Garsington staging for the RAH. The modest size of the orchestra exposes any fractional ensemble slips, which very occasionally happened, but were of no concern at all.

Very enjoyable discussion as well between the original stage director, Netia Jones, and Andrew McGregor. For anyone inclined to compare "dueling galleries" of the same production in two very different spaces:

(a) Santa Fe Opera, 2021
(b) Garsington Opera, 2024

Prom 68: Britten - A Midsummer Night's Dream, Garsington Opera / Philharmonia, Boyd

Prom 68: Britten - A Midsummer Night's Dream, Garsington Opera / Philharmonia, Boyd

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