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Post by oxfordsimon on Aug 4, 2022 18:11:34 GMT
Oh, I didn't bothered to read the synopsis so I hadn't noticed that. The director didn't re-write any of the 5 ON productions that I've seen, though she did change the time period for some, so hopefully this one will have the original plot. I probably won't be booking until after the first night reviews though, just in case! The Yeomen in the picture are wearing uniforms with GR on them so we are certainly getting an update in terms of setting. Whether that is Regency or early 20th Century remains to be seen! |
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Post by Dawnstar on Aug 4, 2022 18:15:48 GMT
I really should pay more attention to the entire web page & not just scroll straight down to the cast & creatives! I would guess 20th century more likely than Regency, given the current opera world preference for setting almost everything in the 20th century. I suppose it could work, I once saw an amateur version of Pirates updated to the 1940s that I enjoyed & the recent Yeomen at the Grange got very good reviews & I gather was updated to about 1920 (wish I could have seen it).
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Post by oxfordsimon on Aug 4, 2022 18:27:16 GMT
Charging Fairfax with sorcery doesn't really work outside of the original setting but that is a minor change if you want to make a shift.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Aug 26, 2022 12:09:02 GMT
I really should pay more attention to the entire web page & not just scroll straight down to the cast & creatives! I would guess 20th century more likely than Regency, given the current opera world preference for setting almost everything in the 20th century. I suppose it could work, I once saw an amateur version of Pirates updated to the 1940s that I enjoyed & the recent Yeomen at the Grange got very good reviews & I gather was updated to about 1920 (wish I could have seen it). Richard McCabe has been cast as Point |
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Post by Dawnstar on Aug 26, 2022 16:02:44 GMT
Richard McCabe has been cast as Point I'm afraid I've never heard of him before this but, having looked up his biography, he'll presumably be stronger on the acting front than the singing front. He's also apparently 62, which seems a bit on the mature side for the role. I seem to remember in a previous discussion in another thread on here that when I suggested I'd like to see Simon Butteriss as Point again someone said he'd be too old for the role now but I think McCabe looks older than Butteriss. |
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Post by oxfordsimon on Aug 26, 2022 16:21:59 GMT
I was surprised. Apparently he is known also as a musician and composer. But his age is higher than I would cast the role.
Very curious decision
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Post by Dawnstar on Aug 26, 2022 16:27:43 GMT
It certainly won't be a surprise when Elsie prefers Fairfax to Point!
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Post by oxfordsimon on Aug 26, 2022 17:16:13 GMT
It certainly won't be a surprise when Elsie prefers Fairfax to Point! not in the slightest!! |
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Post by nottobe on Aug 29, 2022 16:58:19 GMT
I'm wanting to see my first ever opera in the Autumn and had either Salome, Aida or Alcina on my short list. I a not sure which would be the best to see as someone new to it all but am excited by seeing a large production. Any recommendations are welcome as well as general information regarding going to the opera.
Tosca at ENO is also on my shortlist.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Aug 29, 2022 18:26:42 GMT
Of those 4, I would go with Tosca. It has some damned fine tunes and plenty of drama.
Alcina would come next as that is very beautiful. But not the easiest Handel to start on.
Aida is a piece I have never got on with. Too grand and not as emotionally gripping as other Verdi pieces.
Salome is a bit of an acquired taste. Something to work up to
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Post by Dawnstar on Aug 29, 2022 21:56:19 GMT
I too would go for Tosca but I'd go for the ROH production rather than the ENO one, as the ROH's is more traditional. I certainly wouldn't recommend Salome, as not only is it musically more challenging but when I saw the ROH production when it was new I thoroughly disliked it & found some of it pretty confusing, as it didn't always follow the libretto. The Aida & Alcina productions are both new so goodness knows what they'll be like, I don't personally find the blurbs on the ROH website exactly encouraging. I see you haven't mentioned La Boheme in your list. Have you considered that from the ROH's autumn offerings? It tends to be the opera most people seem to recommend as a first opera.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Aug 29, 2022 22:58:00 GMT
My first was The Magic Flute. After that I was hooked!
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Post by vabbian on Aug 29, 2022 23:12:39 GMT
I'm wanting to see my first ever opera in the Autumn and had either Salome, Aida or Alcina on my short list. I a not sure which would be the best to see as someone new to it all but am excited by seeing a large production. Any recommendations are welcome as well as general information regarding going to the opera. Tosca at ENO is also on my shortlist. Honestly you're best going to La Boheme or Madam Butterfly if it's going to be your first opera. The ones of have listed are more of a personal taste and may put you off altogether. Tosca is also a great entry opera, but it's ten times better at ROH than ENO. |
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Post by Mr Snow on Aug 30, 2022 9:57:50 GMT
Tosca at the ENO was my first and it hooked me bigtime! But dare I say it that was 40 years ago and even in the Powerhouse days it was traditional. The Te Deum scene at the end of Act 1 is still a favourite moment as the stage fills and the music builds. I can still remember being astonished. I believe Tosca was Nelly Miricioiu who seemed to sing it her whole career.
I agree with all the suggestions above. The Boheme at the Royal Opera House is a great introduction to Opera. Tosca there is also a fine production.
BUT it won't be long before they go with La Traviata again. IMO just about as good a production as it gets.
For those who are considering Opera but worried at the cost the seats in the Slips at ROH offer some of the best value in London. The sound is wonderful and you can normally see 65% of the stage. Don't worry, no singer is going to perform their big no from the back of the stage!
Go, I hope you enjoy and please report back.
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Post by couldileaveyou on Aug 30, 2022 10:02:01 GMT
Don Giovanni at ROH is also good, as a general observation I think you can rarely go wrong with Mozart or Puccini as a first opera. I love Salome, but Strauss' operas are definitely more of an acquired taste, if I had started with that I doubt I'd have ever set foot in an opera house again
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Post by Dawnstar on Aug 30, 2022 12:35:12 GMT
I love Salome, but Strauss' operas are definitely more of an acquired taste, if I had started with that I doubt I'd have ever set foot in an opera house again I think that depends on the Strauss opera. My first ROH visit was to see Rosenkavalier & it's still my favourite opera. Admittedly I had previously seen a couple of other operas - Cenerentola & Ballo - done by touring Eastern European companies, plus I'd seen Boheme at the RAH when I was 7 (which I didn't enjoy at all), but Rosenkavalier was what changed me from getting interested in opera to loving it. Though admittedly if I had been taken to Salome, or even worse Elektra, rather than Rosenkavalier then it certainly wouldn't have had the same effect! |
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Post by nottobe on Aug 30, 2022 17:29:04 GMT
Thank you everyone for your advice it is all very appreciated!. I have done a bit of googling with Tosca at ENO and to be honest that production does not look like my cup of tea as it is very traditional.
I am quite interest in seeing something that is more so modern in its staging as this is the sort of thing that when I see clips of, makes me want to see it. I would say now with a bit more research Alcina is probably at the top of my list. I have seen some of Richard Jones stage work and I think his style would appeal to me as an opera. It hasn't opened but I am happy to take a punt and book a ticket.
La Boheme is a close second and is also a Richard Jones production but it maybe looks a bit too traditional for my liking, but you never know.
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Post by Dawnstar on Aug 30, 2022 18:42:56 GMT
Thank you everyone for your advice it is all very appreciated!. I have done a bit of googling with Tosca at ENO and to be honest that production does not look like my cup of tea as it is very traditional. Whereas I looked up the new ENO Tosca & thought it didn't look nearly traditional enough! I think I for one had better not give any more advice, as it sounds like what you are looking for in opera productions is the complete opposite to what I look for. |
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Post by Someone in a tree on Aug 31, 2022 8:35:12 GMT
I think Richard Jones best work is behind him. I would avoid his ROH Boheme as it does not offer a new insight into thr work. The set designs are particularly terrible and from the amphi the sight lines for act 1&4 are terrible.
Christof Loy is great director and I'm looking forward to his Tosca at ENO.
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Post by Distant Dreamer... on Sept 1, 2022 22:25:36 GMT
The new season is nearly upon us (said in a Shakespearian voice for no reason).
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Post by Someone in a tree on Sept 13, 2022 11:38:21 GMT
Due to torn ligaments I'm having to sell my place for Aida. It's also posted in notices.
Aida
7pm
28th Sept
£22
D32 - STANDING but you get a nice upholstered rail to lean against.
Balcony level
Perfect view of the stage. Often the seats infront are empty and so you can upgrade
*edit. Ticket now gone*
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Post by Mr Snow on Sept 13, 2022 13:02:04 GMT
Ouch. Get well soon.
I've never seen a decent Aida. Fingers crossed for this one.
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Post by Someone in a tree on Sept 13, 2022 13:41:32 GMT
Ouch. Get well soon. I've never seen a decent Aida. Fingers crossed for this one. Thanks Mr S. |
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rj
Auditioning
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Post by rj on Sept 22, 2022 9:53:55 GMT
Has anyone seen any discount codes recently for Salomé??
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Post by AddisonMizner on Apr 13, 2023 5:41:44 GMT
Does anyone know when the new season is announced?
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