Ariadne auf Naxos
On Friday, H, Mr. H, A, and I went to Wolf Trap to see Ariadne auf Naxos, the opera within an opera. It was, in a word: weird.
The music was lovely and the performance commendable. It was the story I didn't quite get. There was just a lot going on, including with all the symbolism interjected. The problem was, although a lot of the props and direction were obviously symbolic, their meaning was less so. I like going to an opera and having everything spelled out for me. I don't like leaving, wondering, "What was that?"
But I still had a good time. This was probably the most acting I've ever seen in an opera, and it was quite comical at times so there was a lot of laughter. Now that I know about the opera company at Wolf Trap, I'll be on the look out for next summer's offerings, for sure!
Pics from Ariadne's tech week: http://picasaweb.google.com/kimpensingerwitman/AriadneTechWeek/photo#5233856066042237938
Btw, my favorite character was this little Filipino guy who played the role of the dancing master. He was flamboyant and hiarious, and you have to be impressed with the way he strutted around in those tight pants and four-inch heels. I wish I could look as good as he did in those pants!
The music was lovely and the performance commendable. It was the story I didn't quite get. There was just a lot going on, including with all the symbolism interjected. The problem was, although a lot of the props and direction were obviously symbolic, their meaning was less so. I like going to an opera and having everything spelled out for me. I don't like leaving, wondering, "What was that?"
But I still had a good time. This was probably the most acting I've ever seen in an opera, and it was quite comical at times so there was a lot of laughter. Now that I know about the opera company at Wolf Trap, I'll be on the look out for next summer's offerings, for sure!
Pics from Ariadne's tech week: http://picasaweb.google.com/kimpensingerwitman/AriadneTechWeek/photo#5233856066042237938
Btw, my favorite character was this little Filipino guy who played the role of the dancing master. He was flamboyant and hiarious, and you have to be impressed with the way he strutted around in those tight pants and four-inch heels. I wish I could look as good as he did in those pants!