If the nightly Met Opera streams disappoint (which they rarely do) opera buffs will be delighted that the Vienna State Opera are now streaming an opera every night (for 24h at 1pm Eastern). They bravely went ahead with their revival of Peter Konwitschny's 2004 Don Carlos (Verdi) in October this year. Audience were socially distanced and allow to de-mask during the performance but not in intermission. And cast distancing? Well very, very interesting given this particular opera! Still not sure I could prefer Konwitschny's production to Hytner's for the Met, but must wholeheartedly applaud his incredible boldness, intelligence and simplicity of staging for Vienna. And it's growing on me! Goes to show how indestructible and tectonic is Verdi's opera. Jonas Kaufman, as the son fatefully in love with his father's new wife (alas his father the most powerful guy in Europe), is amazing bringing to the role a softness and tenderness to his upper register not often heard.
Well: you have until 1pm tomorrow (Mon) to see this not so crazy production of one of the greatest operas ever composed.
Oh. And did I mention conductor Bertrand de Billy's 'period instrument' interpretation of Verdi's score, i.e. non-vibrato from all the Wiener Staatsorchester instrument sections. Have no info, but sounds so much more exciting like that. And so, so contemporary.
On that note, new Met Opera Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin was such great news. His first Met 'hit' as MD was La Traviata, and in a mini-doc he was seen asking the orchestra to cross out fortissimo/pianissimo markings. Where did these come from? We've checked several sources. They never existed!
So so remember working with the late, great Dr. Jonathan Miller on Bach's St Matthew Passion. So, so passionate about brushing away the cobwebs whereby folk sat there every Easter patiently through 'booring' recitatives awaiting the 'famous' arias. Whatever one believes in, a 'Matthew' was so passionate and dedicated to write down what he saw.
Nobody wants a 'gravy train' of culture anymore. Let alone those in their graves!
The amazing Isabel Leonard was just in the right place and the right time for the opera Marnie. Not to be missed (it is available on demand-7-day-free-trial-, always worth checking what is and what isn't). Saw Poulenc's Carmélites for the first time the other night in a gazillion decades. Good old John Dexter. Who was it that quipped he seemed an accountant or so arriving at rehearsal with his briefcase. Then worked wonders.
Kitty: Question, Captain.
Andrew: Hmmmm?;)
Kitty: [snappy] Don't make fun of my humming.
Andrew: I wasn't:)
Kitty: Why do those two small trees still have their leaves?
Andrew: Ahhh. Very good question. Oaks. They hang on till the very last moment. They're kinda crazy beautiful trees. Or as we say in the 'new world' 'challenged'. Worldly. [pause] You would love this book The Hidden Life of Trees. Don't know if there's a 'talking book'. Well, if there isn't I'll read it to you.
Kitty: Meow, meow, meow!!!!
Andrew: Do you remember Dolly and her oak leaf?
Kitty: Dolly Parton?
Andrew: No! What is it with you and C/W? Dolly Levi!
Kitty: [thinking] OHHHHHH.
Andrew: Yes, that Dolly.
t’b’
Kitty’s Theme ;) (performed by Itzhak Katz, 2023)
c[;]t
Those few devoted followers that may be out there somewhere in the pale moonlight, are in luck because: the Wiener Staatsoper are streaming their controversial Don Carlos again this Saturday at 1pm Eastern (for 24h). That's unmissable. Hope I don't ever use that accolade lightly and disappoint someone. But everyone is different. Maybe 75% of films and culture I've seen in my life were missable, alas. Remember a distinguished colleague exiting a Hollywood screening, looking at each other, and he said, "that 2hours of your life you will never get back". Then again, if you don't try one will never know.
Methinks the Met Opera could do with some more 'eyes' assessing its future. Certainly not overpaid external consultants who in reality know little of running an enormous ship such as The Met. I see GM Peter Gelb's position in asking for Met Orch pay cuts. But isn't that like asking Renee Fleming or Jonas Kaufman etc etc to dress yourself, pay for your own ride home. Your dressing room mirror's a bit dirty…!!!!!! These folk will never be out of work. And would opera singers perform for 50% of normal salary? I'm sure many would if the artisans making opera happen were clearly taken better care of. Covid has totally screwed it all up. Or maybe not. Huge cultural institutions need a re-think. When I see a production such as the Wiener Staatsoper Don Carlos, or indeed Frankfurt Oper productions, let alone….then clearly there was always a way forward. But America has virtually no Federal Government subsidy unlike Europe. The funding folk work their 'arses' off getting people to donate. It's not a structure I admire. At all. But it us what it was and is what it will be. Yet there are those extraordinary Americans who believe that without the Aaron Coplands, Leonard Bernsteins, John Cage's, Balanchines etc etc they would be no great art. No great achievement. No future. Only a questionable comfortable past.
Kitty: Thank you for allowing Farouk for Thanksgiving!
Andrew: You're very welcome. Just remember the protocols, and strictly speaking he's an 'illegal creature'.
Kitty: He's SUCH a nice creature…
Andrew: I totally trust your judgement on that Kit. I do. I'll be upstairs if you need anything. But I'd rather u just kept everything beneath yourselves.
Kitty: Oh, captain……what about you?
Andrew: I'll be fine. In mine reverie…..
Did you know about the Humane Society of New York? Help with 'hospital bills' for the animals of folk who are struggling?! Hello, again, Stars in the House. May I just say that perhaps one should learn to love yourself before asking a furry 4-leg for love. That's not to say that a creature comfort won't aid that solace. Just, I feel it's a little unfair to expect a furry creature to be humane, even though, they are most probably more humane than many human relationships one may have! Is that being too honest or unfair? Maybe I should market myself as a Freudian animal consultant. Or would that be Jung. Or is simply that thought of taking money for such just too damn repulsive!
