Opera Suggestions

[SaSherka]

I am in NYC! w\Went to La Clemenza di Tito last night and really enjoyed the whole thing - gorgeous music, pretty production. First time seeing the opera (except for watching scenes and knowing some arias). Most applause for Elina Garanca, but everyone sang well. Looking forward to the HD on Dec 1.
See you at Carnegie Hall tomorrow! I am in the 2nd row (wheeeeee!) and will stay for the CD signing. I'll try to come up to dress circle during intermission. Marge, I'll PM you my # if you don't have it.

[kwanfan1818]

I heard "Clemenza" on Sirius last night, and it sounded great.

Have a great time tomorrow at JDD everyone!

[emason]

We will, we will. Report will follow.

SaSherka, do try to come up. Marge, my friend Peter, and I are all up in the Dress Circle somewhere. I'm EE24 on the right somewhere on the aisle IIRC.

Warning though, the elevator at Carnegie Hall is a nightmare (unless it's been overhauled recently) - long lines and slow.

[Marge_Simpson]

Opera party! I will see everyone tomorrow.

[SaSherka]

Planning to get brunch at Carnegie Cafe (or whatever the place right across from Carnegie Hall is called)

[kwanfan1818]

So, so? How was it?

Elina Garanca was just interviewed on Sirius during the first intermission of tonight's "Aida" broadcast. She said she's making her NY recital debut at Carnegie Hall in April (6th), and will be singing Schumann's "Frauenliebe und Leben," some songs by Strauss, and something that some clashing out in the alley drowned out. She's just released an album, "Romantique," and maybe some of the encores will come from that.

The Aida, Liudmyla Monastyrska, sounds great over the radio.

[BlueRidge]

I'm listening to the live stream of Aida right now. Looking forward to the Live in HD!

[emason]

It takes a lot to upstage the great goddess that is Joyce DD, but her red dress did just that. I think it's the same one she wears in the publicity photos: first half she started off with half the dress draped over her arms like a scarf. After a brief interlude for the orchestra to play without her, when JDD came back on stage the drapes were now tied up in the back as a bustle. After the intermission, the bustle was gone, and - wait for it - the skirt now had panniers. Then there were the removable sleeves. JDD knew her costume was upstaging her, so she even made a joke of it while modeling the ensemble for the audience.

Oh, sorry, you wanted to know about the singing - brilliant, naturally. Maybe my only minor complaint would be that since most of the arias were not well-known, it was a little odd to listen to them outside the context of the operas and try to relate. Otherwise, a great afternoon at Carnegie Hall.

[kwanfan1818]

Only JDD

I can't believe they're selling her new DVD of those arias for $6.99, $7.99 for the download.

[Marge_Simpson]

It was glorious. I've decided I love Baroque music.

[emason]

We now all have an opera commission - finding suitable operas for Marge to go to so that she can continue to tell us that she loves opera, Baroque and otherwise.

[Marge_Simpson]

[Marge_Simpson]

It turns out that I am off on Wednesday. Should I see Don Giovanni? And, BTW, why is opera so expensive compared to ballet? If the prices were lower I'd just go check it out, but for the $$ they charge, I want to be sure I won't fall asleep in my seat.

[kwanfan1818]

Don Giovanni is not baroque opera, but it's a great opera. You don't have to pay for it this Wednesday: if you want, you can listen to it for free online or on an iPhone:
http://www.metoperafamily.org/stream/schedule.aspx

I don't know the women's singing very well, but the Don Giovanni (Ildar Abdrazakov, aka Mr. Olga Borodina) and the Leporello (Erwin Schrott, aka Mr. Anna Netrebko) are both terrific. I liked the production on HD, but a lot of people thought it was stark in the house.

[emason]

Don Giovanni is not baroque opera, but it's a great opera. You don't have to pay for it this Wednesday: if you want, you can listen to it for free online or on an iPhone:
http://www.metoperafamily.org/stream/schedule.aspx

I don't know the women's singing very well, but the Don Giovanni (Ildar Abdrazakov, aka Mr. Olga Borodina) and the Leporello (Erwin Schrott, aka Mr. Anna Netrebko) are both terrific. I liked the production on HD, but a lot of people thought it was stark in the house.

Um, you liked a production that made Seville look like a Neopolitan slum? OK

Marge: get a cheap seat in the balcony or in the family circle. You can hear really well up there up and see well enough and until you decide if you really like opera, don't spring for the expensive seats.

[Marge_Simpson]

Don Giovanni is not baroque opera, but it's a great opera. You don't have to pay for it this Wednesday: if you want, you can listen to it for free online or on an iPhone:
http://www.metoperafamily.org/stream/schedule.aspx.

Yeah, but I'm OFF.
If I stay home I will slop around in my pajamas and order Chinese takeout for dinner.
If I go out, I have an excuse to put on a skirt and eat at a nice restaurant first.

[kwanfan1818]

Take emason's advice and sit in the Family Circle--the acoustics there are great. You won't see much, but the audio is great.

It's too bad they don't have Operavision at the Met: for three performances of each opera (about half) at San Francisco Opera, they drop two smallish screen at the top of the Balcony (the top level). You get to hear it live, but see the closeups, whenever you want.

ETA:

Um, you liked a production that made Seville look like a Neopolitan slum? OK

It didn't look so bad on HD because of the close-ups. A lot of the older rich people city residences in Spanish cities are on narrow, tight streets, so it didn't look that incongruous. The buildings did look like they needed power-washes, though.

[kwanfan1818]

On another topic, Barihunks has just posted a link to this promo video for Berlin's Komische Oper's "The Magic Flute":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNY-I...ature=youtu.be

I want to be on a plane, now.

[SaSherka]

Oh, right. JDD @ CH. It was glorious. It will likely be THE concert of the year for me. I am pretty sure I was forgetting to breathe during some arias, and was holding on to my mom during Madre Diletta. I adored Il Complesso Barocco and it was a joy to see their smiling faces and sharing the moment with JDD and the audience.
I agree about Vivienne Westwood's dress sometimes upstaging JDD as I was studying the details of it a little too much (thank you, 2nd row seats!)
JDD posted the tour's photo album on FB.

emason, it was a pleasure to finally meet you and your friend, but apologies that we didn't have a chance to chat more. Marge, thanks for the present =)

And. Speaking of Baroque-ish operas, I'd recommend going to La Clemenza di Tito HD today or for the encore.

Also, Marge, you can get cheap tickets to the Met either via Weekday Rush (but beware of long lines) or via weekend lottery

[IoanaC]

I've just seen "Clemenza di Tito" in the live HD broadcast from the Met and I was completely blown away by Elina Garanca. It's been a few years since I noticed her in Vivaldi's Bajazet, but tonight was my first time seeing her in a full opera production. Amazing voice, rich and deep, excellent control and her acting is great as well. I'm a fan!
I wasn't too impressed by Filianoti as Tito and Barbara Frittoli as Vittelia, but Garanca's presence more than made up for that.
I envy you New Yorkers who get the chance to experience this live at the Met.