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| Faust Photo: Sara Krulwich/The New York Times |
In the midst of Christmas festivities, here come 2 more NY Met Operas Live in HD.
Dec 10th: Faust
Read the NY Times Review
Dec 17th: Don Giovanni
Read Mark Ronan's Theatre Reviews
or even better, the read the New York Times Review
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| Don Giovanni Encore on Dec 17 Photo: Marty Sohl/Metropolitan Opera |
See you at the movies /opera.
Arta
For a more in depth critique, a family one, take a look at Rebecca's blog about the Faust performance.
If the link doesn't work try: http://carter-johnson.blogspot.com/2011/12/heaven-and-hell-or-maybe-reverse.html
Well.... did anyone else go? I went to see this one tonight... in TOULOUSE! I think it was sold out, but someone returned two tickets, and we got them. Quite the show!
ReplyDeleteAmir and I went to the show, as did Wyona and Charise. Our theatre pre-sells designated seats.
ReplyDeleteI was exhausted when the show ended. I didn't know what to keep my attention on. Wyona is so detailed that she noticed the ruby tie pin and the ruby ring on Mephistopheles when we first meet him. Then she could describe him perfectly -- especially the vest of his tuxedo, which matched the one Faust was wearing as well. She claims that the vest brought that article of clothing right into the category of accessory. Absolutely grand. And the pinstripes -- widened to be PINSTRIPES on the suits in the last act.
How did you like her prison costuming? And what a charm to see that the stage director is the same person who did Jersey Boys -- made such good use of that spiral staircase that we saw in that show and this one.
As to the music? Exquisite!
And the close-ups? Only in film can we see such detail -- the quiver of the mouth as the vowels change, or the madness in her eyes in the last scene.
When the commentator spoke about Faust's diminuendo in the first act, I was hoping they would do a replay, as they do in hockey, but HD Live isn't up to that yet.
As to sell-out? I met my friend, Catherine Warren, in the hall. She said that her friends in London are reporting to her that they can't get tickets in their community -- the season is sold out.
I missed the Wagner Ring Cycle last month. Catherine told me that it was so popular they are going to do an Encore with it. If anyone knows when, keep me in the loop.
The only thing Amir had to say on the way home is ... I didn't know opera was so hard. They have to be singers, actors, dancers. I had to agree with him.
And no wonder Mephistopheles wowed the audience. His sixth time playing that role. Beside all of that vocal work, fantastic moves with his body -- did you see that leg kick -- must have been at leave above his waist. A seasoned opera veteran at the peak of his career -- all for the price of a ticket at my local cinema. How sweet was that!
I am in for the Dec 17 Don Giovanni show. I shall see if there are tix and if they are affordable. Woot! Anyone else wanting to go in Calgary? I will be in town by then and ready to see an opera as I have not been to on in almost a year. Tragic really.
ReplyDeleteThe way things are shaping up, I am going to get to the theatre that day, Tonia.
ReplyDeleteThe tickets are $25 -- which seems a bit much until I think about Faust, yesterday, which was four and a half hours long, so there was plenty of value for the money.
The trick always is ... do I have the $25. I have it today, but will I still have it on Saturday?