Nov 20, '07, 4:33 pm

JMJ_coder Senior Member   Join Date: April 4, 2006 Posts: 6,307 Religion: Catholic

The State of Opera Hello, This thread is to discuss the current state of opera in the United States and worldwide. And also, anything else to do with opera. __________________ May grace and peace be yours in abundance.

#2   Nov 20, '07, 4:41 pm

Scout Book Club Member   Join Date: July 7, 2004 Posts: 1,425 Religion: Catholic

Re: The State of Opera I've never seen a live opera. I've caught a couple on PBS on occasion, but somehow I don't think that's quite the same thing. It's just that they don't come along through central Illinois very often, and Chicago and St. Louis doesn't have them very often, either. I'd love to see one, though. Scout __________________ "Miss Jean Louise, stand up. Your father's passin'."

#3   Nov 20, '07, 4:48 pm

JMJ_coder Senior Member   Join Date: April 4, 2006 Posts: 6,307 Religion: Catholic

Re: The State of Opera Hello, Quote: Originally Posted by Scout I've never seen a live opera. I've caught a couple on PBS on occasion, but somehow I don't think that's quite the same thing. It's just that they don't come along through central Illinois very often, and Chicago and St. Louis doesn't have them very often, either. I'd love to see one, though. Scout What do you mean they don't have them often. Here is the largest (as far as I know) opera company in Chicago - Lyric Opera of Chicago Saint Louis also has an opera company, but not as large as the one in Chicago. __________________ May grace and peace be yours in abundance.

#4   Nov 20, '07, 5:05 pm

Sarabande Regular Member   Join Date: March 9, 2007 Posts: 5,662 Religion: Catholic

Re: The State of Opera Thanks JMJ_coder, for directing me to this. Speaking as a young, emerging professional opera singer, I can say it is still very competitive. I've heard some older singers say it is even more competitive than ever before because there are apparently more people getting into it and many more superficial requirements that previous generations of singers didn't have to go through. When my teachers (now in their late 60s) were starting out, the only way to really jumpstart their careers was to go to Europe - mainly Germany as that country was very open to singers, especially American singers. American singers were apparently the hardest workers. They would work when others would call out sick. There used to be a rule over there that women could take off from work during their time of the month. My former teacher told me that she and her other female American colleagues never took advantage of that rule, so the opera houses loved them for it. It was also easier as a upcoming singer to get what was a called a Beginner's Contract at the smaller opera houses. When the Berlin Wall came down and communism fell, though, things changed as singers from Eastern Europe flooded the opera houses. But things changed in the US as well. There are many more opera companies in the US - small and large - and many have Young Artists and Resident Artist Programs, which wasn't the case 15-20 years ago. There are also many training and finishing programs in the US and Europe where young singers who have already finished conservatory, college or private training can polish their techniques and performing skills through private lessons/coaching, master classes and performances.

#5   Nov 20, '07, 5:07 pm

Sarabande Regular Member   Join Date: March 9, 2007 Posts: 5,662 Religion: Catholic

Re: The State of Opera Quote: Originally Posted by JMJ_coder Hello, What do you mean they don't have them often. Here is the largest (as far as I know) opera company in Chicago - Lyric Opera of Chicago Saint Louis also has an opera company, but not as large as the one in Chicago. There is also the Chicago Opera Theater and a few other smaller opera theaters around. You could probably do a Google search and find many smaller companies. They sometimes can't put on the grand scale sets, or full orchestras, but you can still get to see some opera at affordable prices. Only problem is that along with hearing some wonderful young voices at these smaller companies, you can hear some so-so and sometimes bad voices.

#6   Nov 20, '07, 5:07 pm

JMJ_coder Senior Member   Join Date: April 4, 2006 Posts: 6,307 Religion: Catholic

Re: The State of Opera Hello, Sarabande, what operas have you been in, and what were your roles? Every sing at the Met? __________________ May grace and peace be yours in abundance.

#7   Nov 20, '07, 5:14 pm

mercygate Forum Elder Forum Supporter   Join Date: June 21, 2004 Posts: 15,423 Religion: Catholic via Canterbury

Re: The State of Opera We had season tickets at the NY City Opera for 20 years. You always got a workmanlike performance, and at one point it was about the price of a movie (we sat in the nosebleed section). Lately the hassle of getting to the City and the expense have soured the experience. This is the first season we have not been regulars. They have some great Handel, using countertenors, and they do clever staging. __________________ There are countless millions of Christians who will not accept anything, even Christ, from the Catholic Church. (Frank Sheed) Tiber Swim Team - Class of 01

#8   Nov 20, '07, 5:19 pm

Sarabande Regular Member   Join Date: March 9, 2007 Posts: 5,662 Religion: Catholic

Re: The State of Opera Here is something that my friends, teachers and colleagues are often discussing with the state of opera today: The overabundance of cookie-cutter voices. Too many voices sound alike today. There was a time when you can listen on the radio or the record and without knowing who was performing, you can say, "Oh, it's Sutherland!", "Caballe", "Moffo", "Callas", "Te Kanewa", etc. You can find voices today that sound all it's own, but it's few and far between. It seems as if everyone is trying to sound pretty and polite. They don't surrender themselves to the music, to their bodies and to God when they sing anymore. You don't hear the character and uniqueness of the voice because singers and/or their teachers appear too afraid to sing like a peasant. The great singers of the past sang like peasants. They weren't afraid to take chances, make mistakes, make themselves raw and open for everyone to see and hear. It takes a lot of guts to get out from behind the pretty and princess-like voice. It doesn't matter if you are a soubrette or a dramatic. Every kind of voice, if totally surrendered to the spiritual realm of God, can show a unique quality and presence. The other problem, too, is that the people hiring are afraid to take the chance on those open singers as well because they are so used to the polite singer and afraid that maybe they won't get as many people coming to the box office if they do take that chance.

#9   Nov 20, '07, 5:32 pm

JMJ_coder Senior Member   Join Date: April 4, 2006 Posts: 6,307 Religion: Catholic

Re: The State of Opera Hello, My favorite opera is Tosca. My favorite composer is Puccini. My two favorite tenors are 1. Placido Domingo and 2. Jose Carreras. My favorite low voice (in this case bass) is Ivan Rebroff. I don't have a single favorite soprano, but I was taken by Leona Mitchell's performance in Turandot and Hildegard Behrens' performance in Tosca (particularly Vissi d'arte and Questo è il bacio di Tosca) __________________ May grace and peace be yours in abundance.

#10   Nov 20, '07, 5:34 pm

JMJ_coder Senior Member   Join Date: April 4, 2006 Posts: 6,307 Religion: Catholic

Re: The State of Opera Hello, Another question I have for you Sarabande - when rehearsing for an opera, do you have music and lyrics to look at? My only experience of the actual preparation of an opera comes from "The Great Caruso" and they just got up and just knew their parts for rehearsal. __________________ May grace and peace be yours in abundance.

#11   Nov 20, '07, 5:35 pm

Sarabande Regular Member   Join Date: March 9, 2007 Posts: 5,662 Religion: Catholic

Re: The State of Opera Quote: Originally Posted by JMJ_coder Hello, Sarabande, what operas have you been in, and what were your roles? Every sing at the Met? Hey there! I'm still young and working my way up. Never sang at the Met - Yet! I'm still in the small opera houses with the tiny orchestras, but I'm making money at it - not much, but I can say that I'm a professional now. I just saw Le Nozze di Figaro at the Met with my teacher. My teacher used to be a lead singer there during the 70s and 80s. She is an excellent teacher and not easy with the compliments. I trust her completely. But she told me this past Saturday that I was just as good and my voice quality even better than the woman who sang Cherubino that evening (and that woman was very good - I enjoyed her immensely). I just need to get more stage experience and a little luck to get me in the door. I almost cried when I heard that - like I said, she's not easy on the compliments like that. That meant a lot to me as I'm very hard on myself and have gone through quite a lot of emotional and mental turmoil to get to the point where I am now. It's a difficult road traverse, but I'm determined, realistic, and always keep my heart and soul focused on the love of the art itself, humility and especially on God. Both of my teachers always preached humility and spirituality to me within my singing. They always said we wouldn't be there without Him, so no reason to get all puffed up about ourselves. He can take it away just as easily as He gave it to us. Also, when you give love as you sing and when you work with your colleagues and listen to your colleagues, a special, sincere beauty comes out of the voice. We've all heard it with various singers - past and present. It makes no sense to be competitive with your colleagues - at least to me. The better the other singer, the better we all sing as a group. I'm a lyric mezzo, so I do a lot of the pants roles which are fun. My repertoire includes Cherubino (Le Nozze di Figaro) Siebel (Faust), Angelina (La Cenerentola), Rosina (Il barbiere di Siviglia), Mercedes (Carmen - not vocally mature enough for the main role - Mercedes is a lot of fun actually - great ensemble works), Zweite Dame (Die Zauberflote), Zerlina (Don Giovanni), Dorabella (Cosi fan Tutte).

#12   Nov 20, '07, 5:39 pm

Sarabande Regular Member   Join Date: March 9, 2007 Posts: 5,662 Religion: Catholic

Re: The State of Opera Quote: Originally Posted by JMJ_coder Hello, Another question I have for you Sarabande - when rehearsing for an opera, do you have music and lyrics to look at? My only experience of the actual preparation of an opera comes from "The Great Caruso" and they just got up and just knew their parts for rehearsal. Well, when I go in for actual stage rehearsals, I believe it is right for me to have my part totally memorized. I also try to have the other parts within my scene memorized as well. I think it would be disrespectful of me to my other colleagues to not have my part memorized for staging. Of course, there may be times when you forget words, entrance, etc., but that should be few and far between. In the smaller houses, you do get people who are not as prepared and it wastes tons of time and very unfair to the rest of the singers who are prepared. When coaching a role, I will have my music with me to make sure I'm doing things right and to write notes, etc. The other bad thing about not having your music and words memorized for the rehearsals is that you can't truly really make that role your own and play around with it. When off score, it's when you can create the art and the magic and have lots of fun doing it!!!

#13   Nov 20, '07, 5:44 pm

mercygate Forum Elder Forum Supporter   Join Date: June 21, 2004 Posts: 15,423 Religion: Catholic via Canterbury

Re: The State of Opera Quote: Originally Posted by Sarabande Well, when I go in for actual stage rehearsals, I believe it is right for me to have my part totally memorized. I also try to have the other parts within my scene memorized as well. I think it would be disrespectful of me to my other colleagues to not have my part memorized for staging. Of course, there may be times when you forget words, entrance, etc., but that should be few and far between. In the smaller houses, you do get people who are not as prepared and it wastes tons of time and very unfair to the rest of the singers who are prepared. When coaching a role, I will have my music with me to make sure I'm doing things right and to write notes, etc. The other bad thing about not having your music and words memorized for the rehearsals is that you can't truly really make that role your own and play around with it. When off score, it's when you can create the art and the magic and have lots of fun doing it!!! Wow! I am REALLY impressed! Even if I had a voice (and believe me: I DON'T, I would never have the guts to pursue a career in such a -- um -- unstable? field! You are heroic. __________________ There are countless millions of Christians who will not accept anything, even Christ, from the Catholic Church. (Frank Sheed) Tiber Swim Team - Class of 01

#14   Nov 20, '07, 5:47 pm

mercygate Forum Elder Forum Supporter   Join Date: June 21, 2004 Posts: 15,423 Religion: Catholic via Canterbury

Re: The State of Opera Favorite opera: Tannauser. But about a dozen come in second. Lohengrin, Meistersinger, Tosca, Cosi fan Tutte, did I mention Tosca? Marta, Parsifal, Tosca . . . Fanciulla del West, Tosca, Rheingold, Tosca NOT Wozzeck (gag). Lose Lulu. __________________ There are countless millions of Christians who will not accept anything, even Christ, from the Catholic Church. (Frank Sheed) Tiber Swim Team - Class of 01

#15   Nov 20, '07, 5:58 pm

Sarabande Regular Member   Join Date: March 9, 2007 Posts: 5,662 Religion: Catholic

Re: The State of Opera Quote: Originally Posted by mercygate Wow! I am REALLY impressed! Even if I had a voice (and believe me: I DON'T, I would never have the guts to pursue a career in such a -- um -- unstable? field! You are heroic. Thanks! Yeah, I think I'm a bit crazy. You have to be a little crazy to pursue any of the arts. haha! It is a little scary sometimes. There are months where I get lots of gigs and have no weekends off and that great, albeit very stressful. But then there are months that there is nothing at all. It is the reason why I have a steady church job as a cantor (Yes, I actually get a little pay for cantoring at a Catholic parish no less) and I work between 10-15 hrs a week at a "normal" job for some sort of steady income. The great thing about that is my boss knows I'm pursuing a full-time career in opera and concert repertoire, so he lets me make my hours. I come in when I want and when I need to in between rehearsals, lessons, performances, gigs. I can't stand my job in one way, but very thankful that my boss is understanding and supportive of my real career. I actually spend more time singing than working, which has been my goal for the past 5 years. I started out working three jobs, seven days a week while I was studying and auditioning to now just one non-music job three days a week with the rest of the time dedicated to gigs, music, practice and rehearsals. Like I said, a long haul. I've been studying voice since I was 13 1/2and really took it seriously at 18. Studied music/piano since I was 4 years old. Lots of money, time, love and tears have gone into it and I'm starting to see results. I can't give up now.      Nov 20, '07, 10:44 pm mercygate Forum Elder Forum Supporter   Join Date: June 21, 2004 Location: Metro New York Posts: 15,423 Religion: Catholic via Canterbury Re: The State of Opera Quote: Originally Posted by Sarabande Thanks! Yeah, I think I'm a bit crazy. You have to be a little crazy to pursue any of the arts. haha! It is a little scary sometimes. There are months where I get lots of gigs and have no weekends off and that great, albeit very stressful. But then there are months that there is nothing at all. It is the reason why I have a steady church job as a cantor (Yes, I actually get a little pay for cantoring at a Catholic parish no less) and I work between 10-15 hrs a week at a "normal" job for some sort of steady income. The great thing about that is my boss knows I'm pursuing a full-time career in opera and concert repertoire, so he lets me make my hours. I come in when I want and when I need to in between rehearsals, lessons, performances, gigs. I can't stand my job in one way, but very thankful that my boss is understanding and supportive of my real career. I actually spend more time singing than working, which has been my goal for the past 5 years. I started out working three jobs, seven days a week while I was studying and auditioning to now just one non-music job three days a week with the rest of the time dedicated to gigs, music, practice and rehearsals. Like I said, a long haul. I've been studying voice since I was 13 1/2and really took it seriously at 18. Studied music/piano since I was 4 years old. Lots of money, time, love and tears have gone into it and I'm starting to see results. I can't give up now. Of COURSE you can't give up now. And I hope that Catholic parish pays you what you're worth. People always want to stiff the musicians -- after all, my cousin has a pretty good voice and would do it for free, so why should we shell out all that money for a professional singer? __________________ There are countless millions of Christians who will not accept anything, even Christ, from the Catholic Church. (Frank Sheed) Tiber Swim Team - Class of 01   #17     Nov 21, '07, 5:42 pm Sarabande Regular Member   Join Date: March 9, 2007 Location: "God's good green and pleasant land" :) Posts: 5,662 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera Here are some of my fave operas: Der Rosenkavalier (That trio at the end is to die for. I'm starting to cry just thinking about it.) Turandot La Traviata La Boheme La Cenerentola Rigoletto Il barbiere di Siviglia Lucia di Lammermoor Dinorah - Meyerbeer Carmen ANY MOZART OPERA - I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Mozart operas. Did I mention that I love Mozart operas? I do like Wagner, but only in doses. He has some of the most beautiful, sublime music, but I need to be physically ready to sit through hours of good music to hear those periods of heaven within it. Ever hear Margaret Price do Wagner? Gorgeous!!!!!!   #18     Nov 27, '07, 7:42 pm Jason Hurd Junior Member   Join Date: June 2, 2004 Location: San Francisco, California Posts: 299 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera Well, the state of opera here in San Francisco is that it is alive and flourishing. We have our main company, the San Francisco Opera, and then a few smaller companies, like San Francisco Lyric Opera and Pocket Opera. This has always been a very opera-loving town with a knowledgeable and appreciative audience, and many big opera stars would come here to perform quite often even though they could make much higher fees elsewhere; singers like Pavarotti, Domingo, Leonie Rysanek, Frederica von Stade, Gwyneth Jones and many others. Currently Thomas Hampson is starring in Verdi's Macbeth; I didn't get a chance to see it. My favorite operas? Well, it's an eclectic lot, but here goes: Gluck: Orphee; Iphigenie en Tauride Monteverdi: Il Ritorno d'Ulisse in Patria; L'Incoronazione di Poppea Handel: Giulio Cesare; Alcina; Rinaldo Telemann: Pimpinone Rameau: Les Paladins; Hippolyte et Aricie; Pygmalion Gretry: L' amant jaloux Cimarosa: Il matrimonio segreto Haydn: La fedelta premiata; Il mondo della luna Mozart: Mitridate; Lucio Silla; La finta giardiniera; Idomeneo; Don Giovanni; Die Zauberflote; Il re pastore; Der Schauspieldirektor; Lo sposo deluso; La clemenza di Tito; Marriage of Figaro Rossini: Semiramide; La Cenerentola; Il barbiere di Siviglia Bellini: Norma; I capuleti e i Montecchi; I puritani Donizetti: Anna Bolena; Lucia di Lammermoor; Maria Stuarda; Roberto Devereux Meyerbeer: Les huguenots; Le prophete Wagner: Lohengrin; Meistersinger; Tristan und Isolde; The Ring; Parsifal Humperdinck: Hansel und Gretel; Die Konigskinder Offenbach: Les contes d'Hoffmann; La perichole(operetta) Charpentier: Louise Debussy: Pelleas et Melisande Verdi: Oberto; Alzira; Les vepres siciliennes; Attila; Rigoletto; La traviata; Il trovatore; Aida; Don Carlos; Otello; Falstaff Puccini: Tosca; La boheme; Il trittico; Turandot Respighi: La fiamma Johann Strauss, Jr.: Wiener Blut; Die Fledermaus; Der Zigeunerbaron Richard Strauss: Salome; Elektra; Die Frau ohne Schatten; Ariadne auf Naxos; Capriccio; Rosenkavalier Berg: Wozzeck Moore: The Ballad of Baby Doe Birtwistle: Punch and Judy Reimann: Lear Janacek: Katya Kabanova; The Makropulos Case; Jenufa Smetana: The Bartered Bride Just the tip of the iceberg; I have many more favorites, but I didn't want the post to get any longer!   #19     Nov 27, '07, 7:52 pm Sarabande Regular Member   Join Date: March 9, 2007 Location: "God's good green and pleasant land" :) Posts: 5,662 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera Quote: Originally Posted by Jason Hurd My favorite operas? Well, it's an eclectic lot, but here goes: Gluck: Orphee; Iphigenie en Tauride Monteverdi: Il Ritorno d'Ulisse in Patria; L'Incoronazione di Poppea Handel: Giulio Cesare; Alcina; Rinaldo Telemann: Pimpinone Rameau: Les Paladins; Hippolyte et Aricie; Pygmalion Gretry: L' amant jaloux Cimarosa: Il matrimonio segreto Haydn: La fedelta premiata; Il mondo della luna Mozart: Mitridate; Lucio Silla; La finta giardiniera; Idomeneo; Don Giovanni; Die Zauberflote; Il re pastore; Der Schauspieldirektor; Lo sposo deluso; La clemenza di Tito; Marriage of Figaro Rossini: Semiramide; La Cenerentola; Il barbiere di Siviglia Bellini: Norma; I capuleti e i Montecchi; I puritani Donizetti: Anna Bolena; Lucia di Lammermoor; Maria Stuarda; Roberto Deveraux Meyerbeer: Les huguenots; Le prophete Wagner: Lohengrin; Meistersinger; Tristan und Isolde; The Ring; Parsifal Humperdinck: Hansel und Gretel; Die Konigskinder Offenbach: Les contes d'Hoffmann; La perichole(operetta) Charpentier: Louise Debussy: Pelleas et Melisande Verdi: Oberto; Alzira; Les vepres siciliennes; Attila; Rigoletto; La traviata; Il trovatore; Aida; Don Carlos; Otello; Falstaff Puccini: Tosca; La boheme; Il trittico; Turandot Respighi: La fiamma Johann Strauss, Jr.: Wiener Blut; Die Fledermaus; Der Zigeunerbaron Richard Strauss: Salome; Elektra; Die Frau ohne Schatten; Ariadne auf Naxos; Capriccio; Rosenkavalier Berg: Wozzeck Moore: The Ballad of Baby Doe Birtwistle: Punch and Judy Reimann: Lear Janacek: Katya Kabanova; The Makropulos Case; Jenufa Smetana: The Bartered Bride Just the tip of the iceberg; I have many more favorites, but I didn't want the post to get any longer! You named so many good ones!!!!! It truly is hard to name all of the ones you love. You mentioned "Iphigenie en Tauride" and Placido Domingo. I'm seeing that with Placido Domingo and Susan Graham at the Met in a couple of weeks. I'm soooooooo excited!!!!! I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get tickets, but I got three in the nosebleed section. I never heard Domingo live before nor ever heard that opera before. I feel like a little kid going to see Santa Claus or something like it. And speaking of San Francisco Opera, my teacher sang L'Africaine as Inez with Domingo and Shirley Verrett at the SFO many moons ago. I have this great photo of them on stage together. I hear it's a wonderful opera house.   #20     Nov 27, '07, 7:53 pm estesbob Prayer Warrior Forum Supporter   Join Date: May 8, 2005 Posts: 48,606 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera Quote: Originally Posted by JMJ_coder Hello, This thread is to discuss the current state of opera in the United States and worldwide. And also, anything else to do with opera. It is outstanding in Houston. I was a subscriber for many years and the HGO is world class. on of my greatest Opera Moments was seeing Cecilia Bartoli perform when she was still young and realtively unknown.   #21     Nov 27, '07, 7:57 pm Jason Hurd Junior Member   Join Date: June 2, 2004 Location: San Francisco, California Posts: 299 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera Quote: Originally Posted by Sarabande And speaking of San Francisco Opera, my teacher sang L'Africaine as Inez with Domingo and Shirley Verrett at the SFO many moons ago. I have this great photo of them on stage together. I hear it's a wonderful opera house. If your teacher is Ruth Ann Swenson, I well recall that production as I saw it live in the house. I was unfamiliar with the opera, and the first big number is Ines' aria. I had never heard Miss Swenson sing before, and when she opened her mouth, the friend I was with and I looked at one another amazed. Such a beautiful voice, and such musicianship! Also a very beautiful woman. Can't say I'm a big fan of that opera, though; an elderly gentleman across the aisle began snoring loudly about halfway through the evening, and I couldn't help thinking it was an appropriate response to the mediocre music! The performers were great, though.   #22     Nov 27, '07, 7:58 pm Sarabande Regular Member   Join Date: March 9, 2007 Location: "God's good green and pleasant land" :) Posts: 5,662 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera One other thing - Opera is definitely not just an "old person's" art form. Whenever I attend an opera or recital, I always see lots of young adults around me. Maybe it's because we're all poor and can only afford the nosebleed seats, so we're up in the sections where most people don't see us. People who can afford the better seats are mostly "older" patrons. But those upper-most tiers are packed with 20 and 30 somethings.   #23     Nov 27, '07, 8:02 pm estesbob Prayer Warrior Forum Supporter   Join Date: May 8, 2005 Posts: 48,606 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera Quote: Originally Posted by mercygate Favorite opera: Tannauser. But about a dozen come in second. Lohengrin, Meistersinger, Tosca, Cosi fan Tutte, did I mention Tosca? Marta, Parsifal, Tosca . . . Fanciulla del West, Tosca, Rheingold, Tosca NOT Wozzeck (gag). Lose Lulu. One of my favorite is Boito's Mefistofele   #24     Nov 27, '07, 8:03 pm Sarabande Regular Member   Join Date: March 9, 2007 Location: "God's good green and pleasant land" :) Posts: 5,662 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera Quote: Originally Posted by Jason Hurd If your teacher is Ruth Ann Swenson, I well recall that production as I saw it live in the house. I was unfamiliar with the opera, and the first big number is Ines' aria. I had never heard Miss Swenson sing before, and when she opened her mouth, the friend I was with and I looked at one another amazed. Such a beautiful voice, and such musicianship! Also a very beautiful woman. Can't say I'm a big fan of that opera, though; an elderly gentleman across the aisle began snoring loudly about halfway through the evening, and I couldn't help thinking it was an appropriate response to the mediocre music! The performers were great, though. LOL!!! I only listen to highlights for that opera too. No, my teacher isn't Ms. Swenson (so horrible what's happen to her at the Met BTW). I agree she does have a beautiful voice. I heard her in recital a couple of years ago. I'm hoping to see her in La Traviata this season. My teacher is actually Evelyn Mandac. There's a live recording of the production that she did with them. You are right the first aria of Inez is gorgeous. The applause my teacher received was phenomenal on that recording and I hear that she was even more electric live than in recordings. I wish I could see her perform live. All I have are a couple of recordings.   #25     Nov 27, '07, 8:07 pm Sarabande Regular Member   Join Date: March 9, 2007 Location: "God's good green and pleasant land" :) Posts: 5,662 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera Quote: Originally Posted by estesbob It is outstanding in Houston. I was a subscriber for many years and the HGO is world class. on of my greatest Opera Moments was seeing Cecilia Bartoli perform when she was still young and realtively unknown. Cecilia Bartoli gave one of the most artistic and beautiful recitals I've ever attended a few years back. She had a little chamber ensemble with her. It was breathtaking and so soulful. She was the only performer I ever stood in line for to get an autograph of one her cds. I feel so silly for doing that because I'm usually not like that. I was just starting to get into opera as a kid when she started to come onto the scene. I have a love/not love relationship with her voice. Sometimes I'm totally in the mood for it and can't get enough of her voice. Other times I can't listen to her voice at all or at least watch her sing.   #26     Nov 28, '07, 11:40 am Jason Hurd Junior Member   Join Date: June 2, 2004 Location: San Francisco, California Posts: 299 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera I can understand your love/not love relationship to Bartoli's voice, Sarabande. Many friends of mine can't stand her at all for various reasons: her grimaces, her body language, her use of aspirates in her coloratura technique, etc. I myself, however, think she is an absolute genius. I have never before heard the 18th-century vocal repertoire performed with the same combination of technical perfection and emotional depth that she brings to it. Her Vivaldi album is outstanding. There is an aria on it called 'Zeffiretti che sussurrate', an echo aria accompanied by two offstage violins, that is exquisite. And have you heard her version of Fiordiligi's two arias from Cosi fan tutte? I've never heard better renditions in my life(pace Elisabeth Schwarzkopf and Pilar Lorengar). Oh, so your teacher is Evelyn Mandac. I have seen the name, mostly in Opera News magazines from earlier decades, but I can't recall ever having heard her. I always get her mixed up with Evelyn de la Rosa, whom my brother heard sing an excellent Queen of Night with the Sacramento Opera here in California. How is she as a teacher?   #27     Nov 28, '07, 4:09 pm estesbob Prayer Warrior Forum Supporter   Join Date: May 8, 2005 Posts: 48,606 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera Quote: Originally Posted by Jason Hurd I can understand your love/not love relationship to Bartoli's voice, Sarabande. Many friends of mine can't stand her at all for various reasons: her grimaces, her body language, her use of aspirates in her coloratura technique, etc. I myself, however, think she is an absolute genius. I have never before heard the 18th-century vocal repertoire performed with the same combination of technical perfection and emotional depth that she brings to it. Her Vivaldi album is outstanding. There is an aria on it called 'Zeffiretti che sussurrate', an echo aria accompanied by two offstage violins, that is exquisite. And have you heard her version of Fiordiligi's two arias from Cosi fan tutte? I've never heard better renditions in my life(pace Elisabeth Schwarzkopf and Pilar Lorengar). ? Her HGO debeu was in 1992 where she appeared in the Barber of Seville. Blew me away. I will have to admit that i was not as excited about her 1996 performance in Cinderella but I know I am in a minortiy there.   #28     Nov 28, '07, 4:14 pm Jason Hurd Junior Member   Join Date: June 2, 2004 Location: San Francisco, California Posts: 299 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera Quote: Originally Posted by estesbob Her HGO debeu was in 1992 where she appeared in the Barber of Seville. Blew me away. I will have to admit that i was not as excited about her 1996 performance in Cinderella but I know I am in a minortiy there. I know what you mean. I've seen the DVD of the HGO Cenerentola and can't help feeling that Bartoli is not suited to the role of Cinderella temperamentally. Have you seen the film of Cenerentola from La Scala starring Frederica von Stade? Now there is perfect casting; von Stade brings out all the sweet melancholy of the Cinderella character without ever once getting sentimental or mawkish.   #29     Nov 28, '07, 4:23 pm estesbob Prayer Warrior Forum Supporter   Join Date: May 8, 2005 Posts: 48,606 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera Quote: Originally Posted by Jason Hurd I know what you mean. I've seen the DVD of the HGO Cenerentola and can't help feeling that Bartoli is not suited to the role of Cinderella temperamentally. Have you seen the film of Cenerentola from La Scala starring Frederica von Stade? Now there is perfect casting; von Stade brings out all the sweet melancholy of the Cinderella character without ever once getting sentimental or mawkish. I have and i agree. To me she didnt fit the part. In the Barber of Seville she was heads and shoulders above everyone else on the stage. i was thinking it would be intimidated having to follow her in an Act. it was like seeing Bobby Orr play Hockey. Last edited by estesbob; Nov 28, '07 at 4:35 pm.   #30     Nov 28, '07, 5:13 pm Sarabande Regular Member   Join Date: March 9, 2007 Location: "God's good green and pleasant land" :) Posts: 5,662 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera Quote: Originally Posted by Jason Hurd I know what you mean. I've seen the DVD of the HGO Cenerentola and can't help feeling that Bartoli is not suited to the role of Cinderella temperamentally. Have you seen the film of Cenerentola from La Scala starring Frederica von Stade? Now there is perfect casting; von Stade brings out all the sweet melancholy of the Cinderella character without ever once getting sentimental or mawkish. Oh, von Stade is the absolute best for Cenerentola. I have the DVD of hers doing it. I love looking at my score while I watch it.        Nov 28, '07, 5:18 pm estesbob Prayer Warrior Forum Supporter   Join Date: May 8, 2005 Posts: 48,606 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera Quote: Originally Posted by Sarabande Oh, von Stade is the absolute best for Cenerentola. I have the DVD of hers doing it. I love looking at my score while I watch it. I was there the night they made the DVD of Bartoli. I used to have seats 5 rows back in the center. I dropped my subscription becuase I was spending a lot of time in Coloraod and was disapointed in the way they were stageing many of the Operas. When they did McBeth it was so bad (witches in leather mini-skirts, using a battery charger , etc) I finally just closed my eyes and listened to the Music.   #32     Nov 28, '07, 5:21 pm cecilia97 Regular Member Prayer Warrior Book Club Member   Join Date: May 21, 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 2,047 Religion: having a good time being seriously Catholic Re: The State of Opera Hooray! A thread about one of my loves! We have a great opera company in Houston and you can get season tickets for a steal, it's amazing. Best value in live entertainment around! Scenery, costumes, acting, music, and a good story all at once. As a decorative painter, I love to see the use of faux in the set designs. I would love to see more people lose the image of opera as too higbrow for the "masses". The folks I meet at the opera are regular folks. Some put on airs, sure, but those of us really enjoying ourselves are too busy to do that. And I come by my love of opera honestly....from my granddad who barely graduated eigth grade and walked around the house singing La Boheme. __________________ "If my feelings offer their assistance, I accept it. It may be useful, but it is not necessary. A calm, profound love is much better than surface emotions." Dom Chautard ...on psychotherapy and faith Adoration finder Spiritual Exercises   #33     Nov 28, '07, 5:28 pm cecilia97 Regular Member Prayer Warrior Book Club Member   Join Date: May 21, 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 2,047 Religion: having a good time being seriously Catholic Re: The State of Opera Quote: Originally Posted by estesbob It is outstanding in Houston. I was a subscriber for many years and the HGO is world class. But, Bob, don't you know the unwritten rule about letting the rest of the country think Houston sucks in every way....don't want to raise the scandalously low prices on all our good stuff! __________________ "If my feelings offer their assistance, I accept it. It may be useful, but it is not necessary. A calm, profound love is much better than surface emotions." Dom Chautard ...on psychotherapy and faith Adoration finder Spiritual Exercises   #34     Nov 28, '07, 5:29 pm Sarabande Regular Member   Join Date: March 9, 2007 Location: "God's good green and pleasant land" :) Posts: 5,662 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera Quote: Originally Posted by Jason Hurd I can understand your love/not love relationship to Bartoli's voice, Sarabande. Many friends of mine can't stand her at all for various reasons: her grimaces, her body language, her use of aspirates in her coloratura technique, etc. I myself, however, think she is an absolute genius. I have never before heard the 18th-century vocal repertoire performed with the same combination of technical perfection and emotional depth that she brings to it. Her Vivaldi album is outstanding. There is an aria on it called 'Zeffiretti che sussurrate', an echo aria accompanied by two offstage violins, that is exquisite. And have you heard her version of Fiordiligi's two arias from Cosi fan tutte? I've never heard better renditions in my life(pace Elisabeth Schwarzkopf and Pilar Lorengar). Oh, so your teacher is Evelyn Mandac. I have seen the name, mostly in Opera News magazines from earlier decades, but I can't recall ever having heard her. I always get her mixed up with Evelyn de la Rosa, whom my brother heard sing an excellent Queen of Night with the Sacramento Opera here in California. How is she as a teacher? I agree, Bartoli, despite my love/not love relationship with her, is a genius in 18th c. repertoire. My very first recording of an opera singer was her "Se tu m'ami" album of all the Arie Antiche music that you learn when you first start taking voice lessons. It brought new love and better insight into that music. I still use it for recital work. I love Evelyn as a teacher. She has absolutely no ego. She gives and gives with so much love and compassion. Her approach to technique and singing, in general, is very organic and natural. She also works with each of her students differently according to their personalities and will work until she can find the right words and images that clicks with the individual student. The other thing is that she doesn't turn out "cookie-cutter" voices. I've heard almost all of her students at one time or another by either sitting in on lessons or at master classes or in concerts. They each have their own special quality in the voice. She really knows how to pull the unique quality out. The technique works only if you approach it without any ego and be totally open physically, mentally and spiritually. It truly is "surrendering" to the artform. When you try to control what's going on or try to create the sound rather than trusting your body, it doesn't work. It's funny. Evelyn very rarely ever talks about her career unless I ask her questions. So, I will once in a while get some bits of history of who she worked with and where she sang, etc. But whereever I go, whether performing, at an audition or across the ocean in Europe, I run into someone who knew her or used to see her perform when she was still singing. They all tell me the same thing. Her voice was absolutely beautiful (no justice on the recordings apparently) and she was absolutely breathtaking on stage and a genuine and beautiful person. These people would go to the Met or whereever she was just to see her sing. It's sometimes weird hearing this because I see her as my teacher, a mentor and as a second mother in a way. We have tea together, she cooks me meals sometimes, we go to operas together. It's only when I see her from outside of myself that I understand what these outside people are talking about. Her whole presence just commands beauty on all levels. People turn and look at her when she walks. So, I can understand what she was probably like on stage. (Can you tell I hold her in regard?)   #35     Nov 28, '07, 5:29 pm Jason Hurd Junior Member   Join Date: June 2, 2004 Location: San Francisco, California Posts: 299 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera Quote: Originally Posted by Sarabande Oh, von Stade is the absolute best for Cenerentola. I have the DVD of hers doing it. I love looking at my score while I watch it. Another reason I love this DVD is that it is directed by the man I consider to be the all-time genius among opera stage directors: Jean-Pierre Ponnelle. His productions are always interesting and they look fantastic, thanks to his background as a visual artist. We in San Francisco were lucky over the years to have the Ponnelle productions of Cosi fan tutte, Idomeneo, Tosca, The Flying Dutchman, Turandot, Falstaff, Otello, Cenerentola and many others. He filmed many of his productions, and my favorites are the three extant operas of Claudio Monteverdi, in stagings from the Zurich Opera directed by Ponnelle and conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt. There are also DVDs available of the Ponnelle productions of Idomeneo, The Marriage of Figaro, The Barber of Seville, Manon, Rigoletto, Cosi fan tutte, L'Italiana in Algeri, The Magic Flute, Mitridate,Tristan und Isolde, La Clemenza di Tito and Cardillac.   #36     Nov 29, '07, 1:31 am Dwyer Regular Member   Join Date: February 26, 2007 Posts: 1,359 Religion: Byzantine Catholic Re: The State of Opera Notes On Opera Well, it is a powerful art form; there are some who argue it is the greatest form of art, combining music and drama, offering moments of intense emotion; but just keep in mind that it is secular music. Talking about the state of opera, be wary of some of the more modern opera productions on video; I watched a Glyndebourne production (perhaps England's greatest opera company) of Verdi's La Traviata (which was based on some sort of relationship that the son of the French writer Alexandre Dumas had with a famous French courtesan); the Director set the opera in a brothel and it had some unexpected female nudity in it (ditto for a more recently performed version of Rigoletto that was shown on Canada's CBC television; female nudity in the opening scene) . I heard Verdi had to revise the opera several times before he was allowed to perform La Traviata, much to his protestations. Verdi was an ardent Italian nationalist and didn't care much for the Catholic Church. Still, he wrote some of the greatest opera arias ever written. Other productions, like Franco Zeffirelli's La Traviata, a film version with Placido Domingo, are more tastefully done, and just set the opera at the courtesan's home; as a matter of fact, the opera itself doesn't directly use the word "courtesan" or "prostitute," but you'll pick up on it through innuendo and the plot. La Traviata does have some great arias in it though; that one aria Flora sings after the party with tenor answering her from the street below really blew me away (sorry, I forgot the name of it). Other Opera moral flubs, yet still great secular art: Mozart's The Magic Flute: Watch Tomino become a Freemason before your very eyes and the Hapsburg monarchy and everything it stands for (indirectly Catholicism) satirized through the character the Queen of the Night. Puccini's Tosca: Subtle diggs at the Catholic Church because it didn't at the time support Italian nationalism. Mozart's Don Giovanni: The legendary lecher is dragged to Hell, UNREPENTANT in the key of D Minor, and is in a way made to seem heroic. Libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte, who basically gave up being a Catholic priest (I don't think he ever formally left the priesthood though; his family converted to Catholicism I believe for societal and social reasons). Here's some operas for the beginner: Rigoletto L'Elisir D'Amoure La Traviata Magic Flute Carmen Despite some of the problems I mentioned (except the nudity), they are small compared to the degenerate atmosphere found in most forms of modern popular pop and rock music and what was MTV music videos. Let's face it, that stuff isn't really music anyway. Also remember that opera is musical drama and symphonic music is symphonic music, so the two forms of music are different. Last edited by Dwyer; Nov 29, '07 at 1:44 am.   #37     Nov 29, '07, 8:36 am Sarabande Regular Member   Join Date: March 9, 2007 Location: "God's good green and pleasant land" :) Posts: 5,662 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera Quote: Originally Posted by Dwyer Notes On Opera Well, it is a powerful art form; there are some who argue it is the greatest form of art, combining music and drama, offering moments of intense emotion; but just keep in mind that it is secular music. I believe when many people say it is the "greatest form of art", they mean that in terms of the combination of music and drama, as you said. Most people know that it is only secular music. I believe all of the people here on the thread already have that in mind while discussing this. All of the artists involved know there is a major difference in the art form of opera and in the sacred music that they many times have performed. And both have a different approach, respect and form of reverence. (I don't mean reverence in a spiritual sense for opera). Quote: Originally Posted by Dwyer Talking about the state of opera, be wary of some of the more modern opera productions on video. This type of thing of untasteful productions have been going on since the 70s. Both my current teacher and former teacher have complained to me about having to perform in some ridiculous avant garde productions - not necessarily nude - but strange or distasteful. My teacher was in Salzburg this past summer for a vacation. I can't remember which opera it was (she saw all of them at the festival), but she was very upset over the production. She said that the director had put his/her own twist to the opera by dressing someone up like a pope (which isn't even a character in this opera) and making him look immoral in the opera. Mind you that my teacher isn't even Catholic, but she was very upset at the disrespect this director showed to the Catholic Church and who she believed was supposed to be Benedict. She said that the opera didn't even have anything to do with the Church - it was as if this director just wanted to put some kind of dig and used this form as an outlet for his animosity towards her (the Church). Quote: Originally Posted by Dwyer Other productions, like Franco Zeffirelli's La Traviata... I love Zeffirelli's stage productions. He's a genius at it, but I tend to like the more traditional sets which is probably why I love his productions. I don't know... trying to put Mozart operas in avant garde or modern garbe, just doesn't work for me, especially when you know the libretto and the jokes, etc. The only time I've seen it work was for the Met's new production of "Die Zauberflote" - but I believe it is because that it is supposed to be a fantastical land anyway. Quote: Originally Posted by Dwyer Mozart's The Magic Flute: Watch Tomino become a Freemason before your very eyes and the Hapsburg monarchy and everything it stands for (indirectly Catholicism) satirized through the character the Queen of the Night. I'm not going to dispute that Mozart was a mason, although back then, almost every adult male in Vienna were masons and for only connections reasons and were still practicing Catholic - they didn't understand that relatively new ban about 30-40 years earlier on being one and the people then apparently weren't properly educated about it. But that's for another thread. Quote: Originally Posted by Dwyer Mozart's Don Giovanni: The legendary lecher is dragged to Hell, UNREPENTANT in the key of D Minor, and is in a way made to seem heroic. Libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte, who basically gave up being a Catholic priest (I don't think he ever formally left the priesthood though; his family converted to Catholicism I believe for societal and social reasons). ahh... well, he wouldn't be dragged to hell, but to purgatory if he was repentant. That wouldn't make for a good "secular" story of revenge for the women he destroyed and the people he murdered. I've never and I know many others who never looked at him as being heroic. We always think he got his just desserts. Plus the opera, if the opera was going to just focus on Giovanni, would have ended there. It doesn't. It keeps going on afterwards. Mozart focused on the relationships and outlooks of the people left on earth, how they were either redeemed, avenged and how they handled their trust issues with each other, especially amongst the couples affected by D. Giovanni's misdeeds. Da Ponte was adopted by a bishop when he was a young boy and took his name. He should have never become a priest, but back in that time when a family would give a child to the Church, it was expected of them to become a priest or religious. No doubt, he led not-so-great of life and was eventually expelled from the empire, ending up in NYC at one point. Also, Da Ponte based "Don Giovanni" on the real-life lecher, Cassanova, as he personally knew Cassavova, not surprisingly. Quote: Originally Posted by Dwyer Also remember that opera is musical drama and symphonic music is symphonic music, so the two forms of music are different. Yes, for obvious reasons.   #38     Nov 29, '07, 2:42 pm chicago Regular Member   Join Date: May 17, 2004 Posts: 5,861 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera Quote: Originally Posted by Sarabande I believe when many people say it is the "greatest form of art", they mean that in terms of the combination of music and drama, as you said. Most people know that it is only secular music. I believe all of the people here on the thread already have that in mind while discussing this. All of the artists involved know there is a major difference in the art form of opera and in the sacred music that they many times have performed. And both have a different approach, respect and form of reverence. (I don't mean reverence in a spiritual sense for opera). The all too human aspect of opera, the sin, redemption, the human interactions is precisely what I value in the art. It gets at the reality of things in a way which an audience can understand, relate to. It is "real" to us in that regard and expressing such musically/dramatically through these instruments which speak directly to the human species, most excellently the very human voice. __________________ "Laugh at yourself... everybody else does!"   #39     Nov 29, '07, 3:06 pm Sarabande Regular Member   Join Date: March 9, 2007 Location: "God's good green and pleasant land" :) Posts: 5,662 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera Quote: Originally Posted by chicago The all too human aspect of opera, the sin, redemption, the human interactions is precisely what I value in the art. It gets at the reality of things in a way which an audience can understand, relate to. It is "real" to us in that regard and expressing such musically/dramatically through these instruments which speak directly to the human species, most excellently the very human voice. Beautifully said. I couldn't agree with you more! Imagine the emotions when you are the one conveying all of that through your own voice with the music.   #40     Nov 29, '07, 4:57 pm JMJ_coder Senior Member   Join Date: April 4, 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,307 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera Hello, The nearest major opera company to me is in Cleveland. They just reorganized the company and this is their inaugural year. They have a whole new company - with a whole new price list. Opera Cleveland I will say that I cherish the video productions of opera. I have three from the library right now - La Boheme (Franco Zeffirelli; Jose Carreras; Teresa Stratas); Tosca (Placido Domingo; Catherine Malfitano); Aida (Plácido Domingo; Aprile Millo). Why do I love them so much? Because I can't afford to regularly go to the Opera House. It's better than nothing - and it's not all that bad. __________________ May grace and peace be yours in abundance.   #41     Nov 29, '07, 5:20 pm Sarabande Regular Member   Join Date: March 9, 2007 Location: "God's good green and pleasant land" :) Posts: 5,662 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera Quote: Originally Posted by JMJ_coder Hello, I will say that I cherish the video productions of opera. I have three from the library right now - La Boheme (Franco Zeffirelli; Jose Carreras; Teresa Stratas); Tosca (Placido Domingo; Catherine Malfitano); Aida (Plácido Domingo; Aprile Millo). Why do I love them so much? Because I can't afford to regularly go to the Opera House. It's better than nothing - and it's not all that bad. I think, on the whole, video opera productions are wonderful to have. I'm just starting to be able to afford tickets. Although at the Met you can get $15 nosebleed seats, which are what I now buy. But a few years ago, even that was impossible for me financially, so I can totally sympathsize, JMJ. Although there are some videos which are little to distasteful or productions really too avant-garde, I think the majority that I've seen on video or on stage have been put together very well. Believe me, most opera singers wouldn't want most of their flesh showing. Most of us aren't skinny-minnies - we either have slim to very large figures depending on our fach and most of us like to be elegant and/or "strapped in" and "wrapped up" if our character calls for us to be a little tart or something of that sort. I know there were some who did it so that they could rise in "stardom" or at least get more jobs, but I believe that is a cheap way to do it. Don't feel bad about having those DVDs or videos. The great productions outweigh the bad and naughty ones.   #42     Nov 29, '07, 6:16 pm JMJ_coder Senior Member   Join Date: April 4, 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,307 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera Hello, Quote: Originally Posted by Sarabande Although at the Met you can get $15 nosebleed seats, which are what I now buy. But a few years ago, even that was impossible for me financially, so I can totally sympathsize, JMJ. $15 - for the MET!!! I could afford that - probably several times a year! If you look at the price list on the Opera Cleveland site, the tickets start at $60 and go up dramatically from there, and good as they are, they are NOT the MET! __________________ May grace and peace be yours in abundance.   #43     Nov 29, '07, 6:30 pm Sarabande Regular Member   Join Date: March 9, 2007 Location: "God's good green and pleasant land" :) Posts: 5,662 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera Quote: Originally Posted by JMJ_coder Hello, $15 - for the MET!!! I could afford that - probably several times a year! If you look at the price list on the Opera Cleveland site, the tickets start at $60 and go up dramatically from there, and good as they are, they are NOT the MET! Yeah! Craziness!!!! I'm in NYC every week. I can't possibly pass up something like that now that I can afford it. It's great too, because many of the people in the nosebleeds are my age or younger with some older folks. They even have standing room "seats". But like I said, I couldn't even afford that a few years back. I could barely afford my train trip up, parking at the station and my lessons, so a show with a cheap dinner like a slice of pizza or a hotdog with water was not attainable for me back then. But now you know. If you are in NYC, go to the box office or on their website. The $15 seat tickets are usually during the week. I can't do weekends most of the time anyway, so it works out.   #44     Nov 29, '07, 7:24 pm JMJ_coder Senior Member   Join Date: April 4, 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,307 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera Hello, Quote: Originally Posted by Sarabande But now you know. If you are in NYC, go to the box office or on their website. The $15 seat tickets are usually during the week. Well, I will be within about an hour's drive of NY this summer (so I am currently planning). I've never been to the city, but this may be just the occasion to visit the Big Apple. __________________ May grace and peace be yours in abundance.   #45     Nov 30, '07, 12:12 am chicago Regular Member   Join Date: May 17, 2004 Posts: 5,861 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera Quote: Originally Posted by Sarabande Yeah! Craziness!!!! I'm in NYC every week. I can't possibly pass up something like that now that I can afford it. It's great too, because many of the people in the nosebleeds are my age or younger with some older folks. They even have standing room "seats". But like I said, I couldn't even afford that a few years back. I could barely afford my train trip up, parking at the station and my lessons, so a show with a cheap dinner like a slice of pizza or a hotdog with water was not attainable for me back then. But now you know. If you are in NYC, go to the box office or on their website. The $15 seat tickets are usually during the week. I can't do weekends most of the time anyway, so it works out. There is an inscription in one of the Euporean houses which is dedicated to the "real lovers of music" who are able to attend concerts only by taking seat in the upper regions at such a price and even with the disadvantages it carries, just because they "have" to be in the house. __________________ "Laugh at yourself... everybody else does!"         Nov 30, '07, 12:13 am chicago Regular Member   Join Date: May 17, 2004 Posts: 5,861 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera Quote: Originally Posted by JMJ_coder Hello, Well, I will be within about an hour's drive of NY this summer (so I am currently planning). I've never been to the city, but this may be just the occasion to visit the Big Apple. Sure, you go in the opera company's off season! __________________ "Laugh at yourself... everybody else does!"   #47     Nov 30, '07, 3:11 pm JMJ_coder Senior Member   Join Date: April 4, 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,307 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera Hello, Quote: Originally Posted by chicago Sure, you go in the opera company's off season! I thought winter was the off-season. Shows how often I get to contemplate going to an actual opera. __________________ May grace and peace be yours in abundance.   #48     Nov 30, '07, 5:33 pm Sarabande Regular Member   Join Date: March 9, 2007 Location: "God's good green and pleasant land" :) Posts: 5,662 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera Quote: Originally Posted by JMJ_coder Hello, I thought winter was the off-season. Shows how often I get to contemplate going to an actual opera. Yes, the last performance is in May. BUT there are lots of summer festivals going on.   #49     Nov 30, '07, 9:36 pm JMJ_coder Senior Member   Join Date: April 4, 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,307 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera Hello, Quote: Originally Posted by Sarabande Yes, the last performance is in May. BUT there are lots of summer festivals going on. Do you know of any good ones in New England (Vermont) or the U.P. of Michigan/Wisconsin or around Asheville N.C. or Northeast Ohio/Western PA? __________________ May grace and peace be yours in abundance.   #50     Nov 30, '07, 10:27 pm Sarabande Regular Member   Join Date: March 9, 2007 Location: "God's good green and pleasant land" :) Posts: 5,662 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera Quote: Originally Posted by JMJ_coder Hello, Do you know of any good ones in New England (Vermont) or the U.P. of Michigan/Wisconsin or around Asheville N.C. or Northeast Ohio/Western PA? This website names a bunch of summer festivals. http://www.operaamerica.org/audience...icle21207.html   #51     Dec 1, '07, 12:12 am JMJ_coder Senior Member   Join Date: April 4, 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,307 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera Hello, Quote: Originally Posted by Sarabande This website names a bunch of summer festivals. http://www.operaamerica.org/audience...icle21207.html Thanks. __________________ May grace and peace be yours in abundance.   #52     Dec 2, '07, 12:59 am chicago Regular Member   Join Date: May 17, 2004 Posts: 5,861 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera The title of the thread leads one to wonder whether "State Opera" would be a good thing in the United States. __________________ "Laugh at yourself... everybody else does!"   #53     Dec 2, '07, 12:36 pm estesbob Prayer Warrior Forum Supporter   Join Date: May 8, 2005 Posts: 48,606 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera Quote: Originally Posted by chicago The title of the thread leads one to wonder whether "State Opera" would be a good thing in the United States. Oh no! Turn Opera over to NPR? Opera would quickly become like the Lifetime Channel!.   #54     Dec 2, '07, 4:29 pm JMJ_coder Senior Member   Join Date: April 4, 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,307 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera Hello, Quote: Originally Posted by estesbob Oh no! Turn Opera over to NPR? Opera would quickly become like the Lifetime Channel!. Or a soap opera! __________________ May grace and peace be yours in abundance.   #55     Dec 5, '07, 3:56 am chicago Regular Member   Join Date: May 17, 2004 Posts: 5,861 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera Quote: Originally Posted by estesbob Oh no! Turn Opera over to NPR? Opera would quickly become like the Lifetime Channel!. Well, the Grant Park Music Festival is publically funded, and does a nice job of things. Indeed, it could be argued that since it is a free (now public/private partnership type funding actually) and without the big budgets that some other organizations have, that they offer more innovative and interesting programs than some of the major summer festivals. http://www.grantparkmusicfestival.com/index.shtml __________________ "Laugh at yourself... everybody else does!"   #56     Dec 5, '07, 4:09 am chicago Regular Member   Join Date: May 17, 2004 Posts: 5,861 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera "SUBSCRIBE NOW!" Heard that line before? It's the popular method of building and sustaining a base of ticket buying supporters for your artistic endeovor. The concept, which revolutionized the way in which organizations marketed themselves and has now become the manner in which they regularly find funding while filling seats, was the genuis of legendary publicist Danny Newman. He was also the longtime press agent and public relations counsel for Lyric Opera of Chicago. Quote: "Danny was one of the godfathers of Lyric Opera," said William Mason, Lyric's general director. "His dynamic subscription campaigns, which he carried out for literally hundreds of organizations around the United States, made him the greatest post-war arts patron in the country. He worked tirelessly on behalf of arts companies around the world – theaters, dance companies, opera companies – helping them build strong, committed audiences and giving them the sound financial basis they needed to survive and thrive. Quote: In his own inimitable words, prepared in advance on his manual typewriter and updated on a regular basis over the past several years (with an absolute minimum of editing by his beloved colleagues): "Danny Newman, veteran theatrical press agent and manager, internationally known as subscription audience builder for theatre, opera, symphony, ballet, and performing arts centers, has died at the age of 88 after an extended illness." http://www.lyricopera.org/inc/newman.asp __________________ "Laugh at yourself... everybody else does!"   #57     Dec 20, '07, 2:28 am chicago Regular Member   Join Date: May 17, 2004 Posts: 5,861 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera In returning from attendance at Lyric's current production of Doctor Atomic all I can say is OUTSTANDING! I'm usually not the biggest fan of John Adams' compositions. However, the richness of musical texture here is awesome. I was initially concerned that the production was going to come off as overly simplistic prechiness or even a certain saccharine sentimentality. But, instead, it managed to take a serious look into very real personages and personalities of a time and concern which changed mankind. It gets at the kinds of issues which we all discuss here in concerning science, power, knowledge, advancement, war, peace, light, and love. "Batter my heart, O God!" It isn't often that I walk out of the operahouse wanting to go back and hear a production again, but this is one of those times. Time? Tick. Life. Death. Fear. Love. Time expires. __________________ "Laugh at yourself... everybody else does!"   #58     Dec 20, '07, 5:12 pm Sarabande Regular Member   Join Date: March 9, 2007 Location: "God's good green and pleasant land" :) Posts: 5,662 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera Ok... I'm on cloud nine right now. I went to see Placido Domingo live for the first time at the Met last night. I was so psyched! But the icing on the cake which practically made me faint was meeting him backstage after the opera. We got to cut past all of the checkpoints because we were with his wife, which was a fluke. My teacher saw her and called out her name and then suddenly, there we were with her. It was absolutely so surreal. Then meeting him and seeing him interact with my teacher!!! I was so dumbfounded, I could barely speak. I felt like a teenage girl.... and I NEVER felt like that even as a teenager. Famous people weren't that big of a deal to me. But he made me melt!!!!!!!!!!! And he's old enough to be my grandfather. He's obviously very timeless. It was like there had to have been some sort of mistake that I got to get backstage. I didn't belong there and here I was standing only a couple feet away from one of the greats. My mind was going a mile a minute and I kept telling myself to be calm and serene. So outside I was very calm, but inside my whole self was shaking with excitement. I will never forget this night. My husband was totally laughing when I told him the story. One of my first exposures to him was on Sesame Street. I just found the clip. My best friend just reminded me of that when we were kids watching it. It's a cheesy song, but his voice just makes me melt. http://video.aol.com/video-detail/pl...reet/583957453   #59     Dec 20, '07, 5:42 pm joamy Junior Member   Join Date: October 30, 2007 Posts: 379 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera Quote: Originally Posted by Sarabande Ok... I'm on cloud nine right now. I went to see Placido Domingo live for the first time at the Met last night. I was so psyched! But the icing on the cake which practically made me faint was meeting him backstage after the opera. Oh how I envy you!!!!!! This is a bit off topic, but I saw the movie version of "Rent" a bit ago. I've seen Puccini's La Boheme and know that Rent is loosely based on it (among other things). Anyone have an opinion on the movie or musical?   #60     Dec 20, '07, 5:48 pm Sarabande Regular Member   Join Date: March 9, 2007 Location: "God's good green and pleasant land" :) Posts: 5,662 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera He can sing like this all day long and I would never tire of it. hahaha! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RdJmqLrsbo http://video.aol.com/video-detail/pl...ser/3928128165 Or this: http://video.aol.com/video-detail/pl...ela/2332308198 MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! His Silent Night. He's so young in this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNJjD...eature=related       Dec 20, '07, 5:50 pm Sarabande Regular Member   Join Date: March 9, 2007 Location: "God's good green and pleasant land" :) Posts: 5,662 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera Quote: Originally Posted by joamy Oh how I envy you!!!!!! This is a bit off topic, but I saw the movie version of "Rent" a bit ago. I've seen Puccini's La Boheme and know that Rent is loosely based on it (among other things). Anyone have an opinion on the movie or musical? I never saw Rent, but I had no idea that it was based on La Boheme. How was it?   #62     Dec 20, '07, 5:54 pm joamy Junior Member   Join Date: October 30, 2007 Posts: 379 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera It was OK. I like La Boheme MUCH better... . (My hopeless romantic sensibilities). Rent is an updated, loosley based version of the Puccini so there are some major differences in plots. I did like how they wove some of the operatic score in with the music from the movie. I've also heard that the movie is not quite as good as the broadway production.   #63     Dec 20, '07, 9:07 pm JMJ_coder Senior Member   Join Date: April 4, 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,307 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera Hello, Quote: Originally Posted by Sarabande Ok... I'm on cloud nine right now. I went to see Placido Domingo live for the first time at the Met last night. I was so psyched! But the icing on the cake which practically made me faint was meeting him backstage after the opera. We got to cut past all of the checkpoints because we were with his wife, which was a fluke. My teacher saw her and called out her name and then suddenly, there we were with her. It was absolutely so surreal. Then meeting him and seeing him interact with my teacher!!! I was so dumbfounded, I could barely speak. I felt like a teenage girl.... and I NEVER felt like that even as a teenager. Famous people weren't that big of a deal to me. But he made me melt!!!!!!!!!!! And he's old enough to be my grandfather. He's obviously very timeless. It was like there had to have been some sort of mistake that I got to get backstage. I didn't belong there and here I was standing only a couple feet away from one of the greats. My mind was going a mile a minute and I kept telling myself to be calm and serene. So outside I was very calm, but inside my whole self was shaking with excitement. I will never forget this night. My husband was totally laughing when I told him the story. One of my first exposures to him was on Sesame Street. I just found the clip. My best friend just reminded me of that when we were kids watching it. It's a cheesy song, but his voice just makes me melt. http://video.aol.com/video-detail/pl...reet/583957453 Sounds like a great Christmas present! __________________ May grace and peace be yours in abundance.   #64     Dec 20, '07, 9:29 pm Sarabande Regular Member   Join Date: March 9, 2007 Location: "God's good green and pleasant land" :) Posts: 5,662 Religion: Catholic Re: The State of Opera Quote: Originally Posted by JMJ_coder Hello, Sounds like a great Christmas present! I never thought of it that way, but yes, it definitely was!!! Have a blessed Christmas! P.S. I'm a little calmed down now from when I last posted on here. Sorry for all the links.