La Rondine - Puccini
Nov. 8th, 2007 09:52 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
theatokosI finally figured out why I do not like Puccini very much. It's his vocal lines. Nothing really sounds good or singable. The singers never sound like they line up much with the music, which is undeniably beautiful. Puccini is early 20th century, so there are distinct strains of the American musical in his scores. I hear Bernstein and Gershwin loud and clear. I wish Puccini's overtures were longer so I could enjoy that aspect more.
As it stands, La Rondine is the most boring opera I may have ever seen. It is trite, pointless, moralistic, and bland. Last night's production was beautiful - Act III's set garnered applause as the curtain went up. (You can see a bit of the staging and get a clip here.) Angela Gheorghiu starred as Magda. Ms. Gheorgiu is a big star in the opera world and she is undeniably beautiful. Her voice has a lovely, rich quality to it with warm and powerful high notes. However, it's too bad her acting is one dimensional, her middle range is at times inaudible (seriously, there were a couple of times I was confused as to why there were supra titles when I thought no one was singing!), and she moves awkwardly and stiffly. I didn't enjoy the main romantic lead tenor - his voice lacked any subtlety or nuance. The best part was Anna Christy, who played Lisette, the flirty maid character. Her voice was light but strong, her movements cute (in a good and appropriate way) and energetic.
I was actually glad when the opera was over. I don't ever recommend seeing this production. It is rarely performed and I think I can see why. I also don't recommend going out of your way to see Angela Gheorghiu. Save your money for Ruth Ann Swenson and Susan Graham!
However, no matter how mediocre I may find an opera at the San Francisco Opera, it is always a joy to attend. They *do* put on excellent theatre, and bad live opera is often better than most good film. Live music and theatre is hard to beat. I look forward to reading what The Opera Tattler has to say about last night. She is sure to mention the old man who stood behind us and jangled the coins and keys in his pocket throughout the show, or the person with the oxygen machine in front of us in Act III. Or maybe even the old man who stood on our left and seemed shocked? titillated? by the brief dance scene in which a man put his head under a woman's skirt!
As it stands, La Rondine is the most boring opera I may have ever seen. It is trite, pointless, moralistic, and bland. Last night's production was beautiful - Act III's set garnered applause as the curtain went up. (You can see a bit of the staging and get a clip here.) Angela Gheorghiu starred as Magda. Ms. Gheorgiu is a big star in the opera world and she is undeniably beautiful. Her voice has a lovely, rich quality to it with warm and powerful high notes. However, it's too bad her acting is one dimensional, her middle range is at times inaudible (seriously, there were a couple of times I was confused as to why there were supra titles when I thought no one was singing!), and she moves awkwardly and stiffly. I didn't enjoy the main romantic lead tenor - his voice lacked any subtlety or nuance. The best part was Anna Christy, who played Lisette, the flirty maid character. Her voice was light but strong, her movements cute (in a good and appropriate way) and energetic.
I was actually glad when the opera was over. I don't ever recommend seeing this production. It is rarely performed and I think I can see why. I also don't recommend going out of your way to see Angela Gheorghiu. Save your money for Ruth Ann Swenson and Susan Graham!
However, no matter how mediocre I may find an opera at the San Francisco Opera, it is always a joy to attend. They *do* put on excellent theatre, and bad live opera is often better than most good film. Live music and theatre is hard to beat. I look forward to reading what The Opera Tattler has to say about last night. She is sure to mention the old man who stood behind us and jangled the coins and keys in his pocket throughout the show, or the person with the oxygen machine in front of us in Act III. Or maybe even the old man who stood on our left and seemed shocked? titillated? by the brief dance scene in which a man put his head under a woman's skirt!
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A wigbleichette!
Date: 2007-11-08 07:58 pm (UTC)Lots of news here too (but nothing as exciting as yours).
I'm thrilled...thrilled for all three of you.
x Pád.
Re: A wigbleichette!
Date: 2007-11-08 08:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-08 09:57 pm (UTC)I look forward to discussing it with you after I go.
no subject
Date: 2007-11-09 02:33 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-09 12:01 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-09 02:32 am (UTC)