What opera have you been listening to, lately?

[tyroneslothrop]

Surely she has enough clout to insist that the cover is a photo she wants?

Being something of the neighborhood expert on Russian women (having married not one, but two of them at different time ) I have to say that based on my experience, Netrebko would have insisted on a right of veto over the cover!

[Luiz Gazzola (Almaviva)]

Surely she has enough clout to insist that the cover is a photo she wants?

Most likely, but not entirely warranted. In an interview a while ago, she said how DG did not listen to her concerns about the CD of La Traviata - she felt that she was breathy given the physicality of the show, and thought that the DVD/Blu-ray was OK because people would *see* why she was breathy, therefore they should stick with the DVD/blu-ray and not release the CD; the executives went just ahead and released the CD with no consideration for what she was saying.

[tyroneslothrop]

Most likely, but not entirely warranted. In an interview a while ago, she said how DG did not listen to her concerns about the CD of La Traviata - she felt that she was breathy given the physicality of the show, and thought that the DVD/Blu-ray was OK because people would *see* why she was breathy, therefore they should stick with the DVD/blu-ray and not release the CD; the executives went just ahead and released the CD with no consideration for what she was saying.

Well that situation is understandable. DG would have had a contract with her for the CD and DVD. After the fact, she decided the DVD was enough. But DG would have considered the number of copies they could sell and that they likely already paid her advances for both (very usual for top talent such as Netrebko) and would have gone with their contract which gave them the right to release both. But that same contract probably gave Netrebko the right to approve the covers, etc. as that is part of her "image" which she needs to preserve. At least I don't know why she would have signed any agreement these days as a big star which doesn't give her a veto right on elements associated with her image.

[Luiz Gazzola (Almaviva)]

Well that situation is understandable. DG would have had a contract with her for the CD and DVD. After the fact, she decided the DVD was enough. But DG would have considered the number of copies they could sell and that they likely already paid her advances for both (very usual for top talent such as Netrebko) and would have gone with their contract which gave them the right to release both. But that same contract probably gave Netrebko the right to approve the covers, etc. as that is part of her "image" which she needs to preserve. At least I don't know why she would have signed any agreement these days as a big star which doesn't give her a veto right on elements associated with her image.

Yes, you are most likely right. I guess I'm just in denial and trying to believe against the facts that it isn't La Bellissima who is endorsing this photoshopping. I keep seeing pictures of her with her current real looks and keep thinking that she looks very hot and beautiful in spite of the extra kilos (e.g. the Opera News cover you've just posted), and then we keep seeing these photoshopped images. Go figure... I guess it's part of female psychology. They hate anything that gets close to the word "fat" so even though she says the opposite in interviews, I guess she gets tempted by the thinning that Photoshop provides. But this backfires on her image. The detractors have been active in the Internet, mocking her for the photoshopping; there are spoofs of this cover. I think she should proudly acknowledge her kilos and say - "so what? You, detractor, would be lucky if your wife or girlfriend looked like me."

[Luiz Gazzola (Almaviva)]

Being something of the neighborhood expert on Russian women (having married not one, but two of them at different time )

It's probably even more fun to marry two of them at the same time [Alma looks longingly at the map of Utah]

[Luiz Gazzola (Almaviva)]

Let's get this thread back some sanity now:

Well, I'm slowly making my way through the Keilberth stereo Ring.
My initial impression is that the recorded sound is wonderful, the voices are amazing, but the conducting is so so.
The tempis , to me, are somewhat erratic and Keilberth doesn't seem to have
control over the orchestra like Krauss or Bohm.
These are still wonderful recordings though and a must for all Wagnerians.

Well, see? The Keilberth recording is not as good as Anna's Verdi! [Hehehe, apples and oranges, but what a tasty apple! ]

[Amfortas]

"You, detractor, would be lucky if your wife or girlfriend looked like me."

With a little tinkering, you might have a hit song there.

[Luiz Gazzola (Almaviva)]

With a little tinkering, you might have a hit song there.

If I compose it, will she sing it, and pay me back by dumping her husband and marrying me?
Oh wait, I forgot we are very close cousins. Inbreeding. Never mind.

[tyroneslothrop]

If I compose it, will she sing it, and pay me back by dumping her husband and marrying me?
Oh wait, I forgot we are very close cousins. Inbreeding. Never mind.

Yes, you'll have to stick with just being Kissing Cousins.

[tyroneslothrop]

It's probably even more fun to marry two of them at the same time [Alma looks longingly at the map of Utah]

I've told wife #2 that she needs to let wife #3 and I to move in with her. She can be the "mom" of the family--feed and clothe us, while we just go to operas...

[Ann Lander (sospiro)]

Being something of the neighborhood expert on Russian women (having married not one, but two of them at different time ) I have to say that based on my experience, Netrebko would have insisted on a right of veto over the cover!

So pleased with the at different time clarification!

[Luiz Gazzola (Almaviva)]

So pleased with the at different time clarification!

Hey, read post # 1833; it looks like he is planning to do away with the at different time part.

[tyroneslothrop]

Go figure... I guess it's part of female psychology. They hate anything that gets close to the word "fat" so even though she says the opposite in interviews, I guess she gets tempted by the thinning that Photoshop provides. But this backfires on her image. The detractors have been active in the Internet, mocking her for the photoshopping; there are spoofs of this cover.

That's what you get for hanging out on Parterre Box! La Cieca has moved on from photoshopping himself on various characters to photoshopping Anna instead!

[Luiz Gazzola (Almaviva)]

That's what you get for hanging out on Parterre Box! La Cieca has moved on from photoshopping himself on various characters to photoshopping Anna instead!

Me, hanging out on Parterre Box? NEVER!!!

[tyroneslothrop]

Me, hanging out on Parterre Box? NEVER!!!

Sorry! Just that La Cieca has the largest cache of reshopped Netrebko Verdi covers!