Bizet's "Carmen" in Knoxville; Britten's "Billy Budd" in Pittsburgh
Bizet's "Carmen" (Tennessee Theater, Knoxville, May 4, 2007)
Went to see this with friends and family. I have heard the music, but never read the libretto, nor seen the opera. I had read a synopsis of it, though. I enjoyed this opera for the most part- who doesn't love the music and spice of Carmen? However, the director made changes to the production, which, as I have never seen it before, I shouldn't have noticed- but they stuck out like a sore thumb. In order to give the opera the "authenticity" of Spain, the director put in Flamenco dancing, singing and music in between acts and during overture. The dancing was cool during the overture...however, it was too long and the music too out of place in the rest of the opera. It totally threw the pace off- there is really very little "Spanish" music in Carmen in the first place. My other gripe (and I wasn't the only one)...Carmen was WAY TOO OLD. I mean, old. She looked like she was in her fifties. Hard to believe she's the lust of the town when she looks like my grandma. She also sang too softly, it was hard to hear her at times. The rest of the singing was good, although the acting had quite a bit to be desired. I think the biggest, BIGGEST mistake the director made in this was trying to create a love triangle between Carmen, Don Jose and Michaela by sticking Michaela into random scenes that would normally contain only Don Jose and Carmen. She just stood there silently, gaping like a fish, or trying to pantomime or something...it looked dumb. And then, he finally has Michaela, yes, Michaela, stabbing Carmen to death. WTF? This really, really, does not work. At all. I will give credit that the director tried to do something different, but sometimes different doesn't alway work.
Rating: 6/10
Britten's "Billy Budd" (Pittsburgh Opera, May 10, 2007)
Okay, this was my cursed opera viewing, I believe- what with about a million things going wrong before I could finally see it. Unfortunately, Nathan Gunn had to call out sick, but they were able to fly in David Adam Moore to play the title role. I can't tell you how impressed I was by everything- the staging, the lighting, the acting, and not least of all, the singing. It was all wonderful. I was especially impressed with Captain Vere (Robin Leggate) and Claggart (Greer Grimsley)- it was pure pleasure listening to them sing. Moore also did admirably- I was not disappointed with his performance. To be honest, I probably would not have liked this music very much just listening to it- but even in the slow parts, the production did a great job of keeping you interested. And the fast parts, full of chorus, really sucks you into the action (afterwards my husband and I were arguing about the size of frigates, carronades and whatnot...I wonder how many people in the audience understood even half of the naval jargon...and I'm a bit worried that I understood all of it). Still, this is an opera that I found to be wonderful, and very moving in the end. Despite the minimalist scenery and not-quite-authentic uniforms, I never once stopped believing the illusion that they were on a man-of-war. It's a great example of how the director CAN be different and have it work, even when the music might not be agreeable otherwise.
Rating: 10/10
Went to see this with friends and family. I have heard the music, but never read the libretto, nor seen the opera. I had read a synopsis of it, though. I enjoyed this opera for the most part- who doesn't love the music and spice of Carmen? However, the director made changes to the production, which, as I have never seen it before, I shouldn't have noticed- but they stuck out like a sore thumb. In order to give the opera the "authenticity" of Spain, the director put in Flamenco dancing, singing and music in between acts and during overture. The dancing was cool during the overture...however, it was too long and the music too out of place in the rest of the opera. It totally threw the pace off- there is really very little "Spanish" music in Carmen in the first place. My other gripe (and I wasn't the only one)...Carmen was WAY TOO OLD. I mean, old. She looked like she was in her fifties. Hard to believe she's the lust of the town when she looks like my grandma. She also sang too softly, it was hard to hear her at times. The rest of the singing was good, although the acting had quite a bit to be desired. I think the biggest, BIGGEST mistake the director made in this was trying to create a love triangle between Carmen, Don Jose and Michaela by sticking Michaela into random scenes that would normally contain only Don Jose and Carmen. She just stood there silently, gaping like a fish, or trying to pantomime or something...it looked dumb. And then, he finally has Michaela, yes, Michaela, stabbing Carmen to death. WTF? This really, really, does not work. At all. I will give credit that the director tried to do something different, but sometimes different doesn't alway work.
Rating: 6/10
Britten's "Billy Budd" (Pittsburgh Opera, May 10, 2007)
Okay, this was my cursed opera viewing, I believe- what with about a million things going wrong before I could finally see it. Unfortunately, Nathan Gunn had to call out sick, but they were able to fly in David Adam Moore to play the title role. I can't tell you how impressed I was by everything- the staging, the lighting, the acting, and not least of all, the singing. It was all wonderful. I was especially impressed with Captain Vere (Robin Leggate) and Claggart (Greer Grimsley)- it was pure pleasure listening to them sing. Moore also did admirably- I was not disappointed with his performance. To be honest, I probably would not have liked this music very much just listening to it- but even in the slow parts, the production did a great job of keeping you interested. And the fast parts, full of chorus, really sucks you into the action (afterwards my husband and I were arguing about the size of frigates, carronades and whatnot...I wonder how many people in the audience understood even half of the naval jargon...and I'm a bit worried that I understood all of it). Still, this is an opera that I found to be wonderful, and very moving in the end. Despite the minimalist scenery and not-quite-authentic uniforms, I never once stopped believing the illusion that they were on a man-of-war. It's a great example of how the director CAN be different and have it work, even when the music might not be agreeable otherwise.
Rating: 10/10