Perm Opera is one of the oldest theaters in Russia. The theatre is dubbed 'Tchaikovsky's House', as the composer was born in the region. It has good reason to be proud still. Not sure how long this performance will be available, but from 2016 is the greatest production of Verdi's La Traviata I have ever seen. And certainly one the the greatest opera productions I have ever seen. And that says a lot. Not for some time have I seen the work of American director/artist Robert Wilson. This was a joyous, incredible experience. No one can claim that the Dumas story isn't as relevant today anywhere in the world as it was back when. (No sub-titles).
It is 2.5 hours of the most pellucid art and music ever to immerse you. Mr. Wilson has always sculpted and designed with performers and light on stages throughout the world. He began, though, as a downtown New York artist simply exploring other possibilities. I once worked with a renowned singer who said that, surprisingly, his singing had never felt so free choreographed by Wilson's precise, abstract physical gestures.
It's also true for the viewer/listener. Wilson's vision truly allows the music to speak to its audience. Nothing clutters perception. The performances are equally stunning and world class.
It's free, treat yourself.
Another treat (again, not sure how long its on YouTube) is a collaboration between the Royal Opera and the Royal Ballet of Handel's Acis and Galatea from 2009. Choreographer Wayne McGregor's production is just heavenly. The Royal Ballet dancers weave like sea creatures or plants intertwining in the beauties of existence. It's absolutely seamless.
well, so far so good that'll keep me afloat for the week. Won't rest on my seaweed, though;)
Fun Met Opera production (streaming until 6.30pm April 13) of Mozart's Così fan tutte totally striking the right comic tone.
English actor/director Phelim McDermott uses 1950's Coney Island as habitat for the fickle and fidelity of love.
And if opera isn't quite your thing, then on YouTube is Robert Wilson's 1990 The Black Rider- a collaboration with Tom Waits and writer William S. Burroughs. Vaudevillian Faust and noir fun!
t.b. c..at
Phelim McDermott's Così just gets better and batter as the hours chortle by. I've rarely seen a production of Cosi as earthy as this. Very well-drained soil comedy needs to flourish. They've been amazing casts, sets etc etc. ..but..Fiordiligi's aria: Per pietà, ben mio, perdona( Please, my beloved, forgive) is unforgettable in a carnival hot-air balloon as she desperately tries sticking the colors of fidelity to its non-existent mast.
The only parallel in my mind is Peter Sellars' production (heavily criticized by many at the the time as 'gimmicky' updating).
May have to book into a monastery after all this surfeit of tempting/turous online culture:)
INT.NIGHT.
Kitty is restless, but also rested without all the 'hoopla' of her normal life. Her paws have fully recovered after all the therapy and the prolonged seclusion of the pandemic. She knows she shouldn't, but she does little leaps and reaches up to Andrew's files, in particular, one marked DOGS. Instead, she accidentally pulls down the one marked DINOSAURS that's been pushed to the back of the shelf, out of sight. It unfolds on the floor. She is astonished. There are photos of her mother. Letters. Pressed flowers. And a CD. For minutes she simply stares at the contents of the box. The photos. She then gently takes the CD from the jewel case marked with xxx and begins to play it.
For a long time Kitty sailed her little ship into the unknown. Just like Tristan. She had poked her head and paws through the fretwork of a chair to hear better the speaker, having turned down the volume. Outside was a furious storm. Yet only occasionally her ears twitched as branches lashed against the house and rain seemed to rant against her at the window.
Finally she eased herself out like Houdini from a tube of toothpaste. Gingerly she placed everything within the folder and like a messenger to a General, urgent yet not wishing to fall, slipped back the folder from whence it fell.
She settled herself into the armpit of Andrew's winter puffer jacket that had laid unused for weeks beneath the chair. The warmth confusingly reminiscent of something close yet so far.
...
