Thursday, June 28, 2012

The Short Version

Annoying night at the opera:
  • Conducting crude (at least in Act I)
  • Translation jokey in dumb ways
  • Projections distracting
  • Shrader over-hyped
  • Gunn overparted. (Eugene B. was better at W.E.O.)
  • Sigmundsson aged
  • Shagimuratova pitchy
  • Audience chatty
Of the leading principals, Stober was best, though not really distinctive; among the smaller roles, Pittsinger was so good he should have been bumped up to Sarastro (really) and Fedderly was good. Sierra: adorable. The Three Ladies were fine and so were the Three Spirits.

7 comments:

Civic Center said...

And what about the damned Wild Animals? I'm risking my life for your entertainment pleasure and not a mention?!

It doesn't sound like you made it through Act 2. Neither have I. Agree completely about Pittsinger who sings while we're waiting in the wings in 10-foot costumes. That's a major voice.

Lisa Hirsch said...

The Wild Animals were adorable!

I did make it through Act 2, as my mention of Sierra should signal.

Civic Center said...

Dear Lisa: Forgot that Papagena doesn't arrive until near the end. Gosh, I love Mozart, and gosh, I don't love this opera except for its perfect music.

Lisa Hirsch said...

Haha, yeah. The Papagena/Papagena interactions are my favorite scenes in the whole opera!

Lisa Hirsch said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Dr.B said...

Thank God I'm not the only one who didn't like it.

Lisa Hirsch said...

Gosh, no - and I'll have more extensive comments posted later or this weekend, most likely.