Yes, it's really irritating when pre-opera talks are dumbed-down and condescending. Just recently I was in one where the lecturer kept mispronouncing the names of operas and even the name of the singers for that very production, and tried the usual share of lame jokes.
The problem is, I actually gave one of these lectures and tried to be a bit more advanced. I don't think the public liked it. Apparently it flew a bit above their heads, not to forget that the microphone kept malfunctioning. They never invited me to do it again so my conclusion is that the general public likes the dumbed-down versions... which are very disappointing to the fanatics like us.
"J'ai dit qu'il ne suffisait pas d'entendre la musique, mais qu'il fallait encore la voir" (Stravinsky)
Did it work on you? I took a look at the page, but did not buy anything; my opera purchases are typically motivated by feelings much stronger than pity. For example, recently submitted my order for next season: it's like I think I'm going to die if I don't see Parsifal four times...
I'm not sure whether to buy one of those CDs or adopt it.
My claim to fame in the musical world is that I sometimes cat-sit for Sarah Connolly. Once when I was on my way down to where she lives I had to change trains at Swindon, and during the wait I had this conversation...
Woman: what are you doing this weekend?
Me: Cat-sitting for Sarah Connolly.
Woman: Who is she?
Me: An opera singer.
Woman: oh, you mean like Katherine Jenkins?
Me: No, AN OPERA SINGER.
Interesting article comparing the price of tickets.
https://jennycamilleri.com/2017/03/1...rison-2016-17/
Wonder what happened to the index finger on his left hand . . . looks like he has a cast on it.
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