What opera have you been watching lately?

[Luiz Gazzola (Almaviva)]

OK, this is disturbing. My Alcina DVD came in the mail, but I'm having a hard time watching it.

Anna Prohaska looks MUCH too much like my last girlfriend. Seriously. Like, in every online picture I can find.





Scary. And very mixed emotions.

If this is how your ex-GF looks like, you need to urgently get back together with her!

[Amfortas]

If this is how your ex-GF looks like, you need to urgently get back together with her!

It was a while ago, and nearly drove me to a nervous breakdown. So . . . probably not.

[Amfortas]

Watched this the other night:



I've always had a soft spot for Giordano's opera--maybe not the most subtle in its effects, but the passionate music goes well with the French Revolution theme. David McVicar's staging is sumptuous if conventional (how far removed he seems from his enfant terrible days). Kaufmann is a little wooden but sings gloriously; Lučić gives strong vocal and acting performances in the opera's most complex role; Westbroek holds up her end, though I'm not her biggest fan, and her singing sounds more labored than her male counterparts. All in all, a worthwhile addition to one's collection, especially if you don't already own a version of this opera.

[Soave_Fanciulla]

From the Opera Platform, a 1960s Barbiere di Siviglia from Dublin with lovely Tara Erraught, and Macbeth in a weird but very compelling production from Latvia.

[Soave_Fanciulla]

Another Glyndebourne triumph:

[Amfortas]

I know others here have praised this DVD, but I wanted to add my voice.



First of all, let's address the elephant in the room: as noted before, Anna Prohaska looks far too much like my ex-girlfriend. Furthermore, her character in the opera and that ex-girlfriend enjoy similar pastimes (enough said there), and when the former says, "I shall love or not love as I please," it had a definite, painful resonance.

Now that we've gotten that out of the way . . . Katie Mitchell's extraordinary, multi-area production turns Handel's opera of an enchanted island and a captivating sorceress into a meditation on the fear of aging, the desperate pursuit of pleasure, and the cruel deceptions of oneself and others while trying to keep love from slipping away. I found it one of the more fascinating and moving productions I've seen in quite a while--and that's not even taking into account the strong acting and vocal performances of the attractive, committed cast.

A very high recommendation, then, added to those already given here.

[Soave_Fanciulla]

[Soave_Fanciulla]

This was pretty good. The Papageno is a riot.

[Amfortas]

Dusted off this one today:



I'm starting a new campaign: "Titus for President, 2016."

Oops . . . was that political?

[MAuer]

I'd vote for this gentleman any time!

[Soave_Fanciulla]

I didn't think I'd like this much as it is in English, but as it turns out I must have got so used to Handel oratorios that it was fine, albeit very heavily cut. It was filmed around the time that I was going regularly to ENO and I am kicking myself that I didn't go, but Handel then seemed too difficult. Honestly if I could just have a word with my younger self.....

[Florestan]

[MAuer]

This is a wonderful video – great cast, Sir Tony and the ROH Orchestra, and a thoughtful, traditional staging that never turns into static costume drama. I only have a little concern with Denyce Graves’ Bersi. She looks fabulous, but to me, it sounds as though her voice is showing some wear and tear.

[Amfortas]

I only have a little concern with Denyce Graves’ Bersi. She looks fabulous, but to me, it sounds as though her voice is showing some wear and tear.

Yes, and it sounded *small*--in some of the heavier orchestral passages in Act II, she was nearly drowned out. Maybe that's also a function of vocal wear.

[Florestan]