[Woodduck]

Rucinski is totally superb but so, my dear, is Nadine Sierra. Lord she has a beautiful voice and knows how to use it. I have always liked Camerena's voice. It is such a wonderful gift to listen to these beautiful voices sans il sangue.

Camarena is fine - he and Rucinski impress me most - but I can do without Sierra. I don't find her timbre especially beautiful or distinctive, and she sings with little nuance. I get no sense of a character from her, no suggestion of a girl who would lose her mind and commit murder. In fact everybody in this production is rather relentlessly loud. Is it because they're in the American rust belt that they all think they have to belt?

 

[Itullian]

I thoroughly enjoyed it. Donizetti's masterpiece in full.
A more dramatic voice for Edgardo would be nice.
I loved Frita's conducting of it.
Never rushed and brought out many nuances of the brilliant score.
Thanks Met!

 

[nina foresti]

I'm a bit easier. I loved every doggone minute of it and I thought Sierra was superb in an extremely difficult and exhausting role. I refuse to try to compare her to some of the past superb Lucias. She is what we have now and I think the choice was an excellent one. I cannot mourn for what we don't have. I need to celebrate for what we have.
My glass is half full.

 

[Itullian]

I'm a bit easier. I loved every doggone minute of it and I thought Sierra was superb in an extremely difficult and exhausting role. I refuse to try to compare her to some of the past superb Lucias. She is what we have now and I think the choice was an excellent one. I cannot mourn for what we don't have. I need to celebrate for what we have.
My glass is half full.

I loved it too.

 

[AlexD]

I caught it at the cinema in Bracknell. It was very good. 1st time I've come across this opera.

 

[Woodduck]

I'm a bit easier. I loved every doggone minute of it and I thought Sierra was superb in an extremely difficult and exhausting role. I refuse to try to compare her to some of the past superb Lucias. She is what we have now and I think the choice was an excellent one. I cannot mourn for what we don't have. I need to celebrate for what we have.
My glass is half full.

I enjoyed it too, despite my reservations, largely because the score wasn't the Reader's Digest Condensed Opera version I grew up with. My estimation of Donizetti as a musical dramatist has risen over the years, and I appreciate the respect for his musical vision. Fortunately I was only listening and not seeing the disrespectful part of the production (though once you've seen photos you can't unsee them).

 

[Itullian]

I enjoyed it too, despite my reservations, largely because the score wasn't the Reader's Digest Condensed Opera version I grew up with. My estimation of Donizetti as a musical dramatist has risen over the years, and I appreciate the respect for his musical vision. Fortunately I was only listening and not seeing the disrespectful part of the production (though once you've seen photos you can't unsee them).

Hearing the WHOLE score makes such a difference.
I too am glad i didnt see it.

 

[Itullian]

Anyone interested to hear Akhenaten?

 

[Woodduck]

Anyone interested to hear Akhenaten?

I'll be tuned in, at least for a while... I didn't get through the whole thing the last time it was broadcast, and some people say you have to see it to appreciate it fully.

 

[nina foresti]

Anyone interested to hear Akhenaten?

Count me out. Not my cuppa.

 

[marlow]

I caught it at the cinema in Bracknell. It was very good. 1st time I've come across this opera.

I thought of going to the cinema but decided against as didn’t fancy the production. Will catch up on radio.

 

[Itullian]

Next up...........

May 28, 2022
Glass’s Akhnaten
Karen Kamensek; Anthony Roth Costanzo (Akhnaten), Rihab Chaieb (Nefertiti), Zachary James (Amenhotep III), Disella Lárusdóttir (Queen Tye), Aaron Blake (High Priest of Amon), Richard Bernstein (Aye), Will Liverman (Horemhab)

 

[Itullian]

^^^^^Reminder

 

[Itullian]

15 minutes to curtain

 

[Itullian]

omg, the utter monotony of this thing was making me actually physically ill.
The silences were a relief! Off it goes.

 

[wkasimer]

omg, the utter monotony of this thing was making me actually physically ill.
The silences were a relief! Off it goes.

I know that there are many people who love Philip Glass, but I can't imagine sitting through three hours of Akhenaten.

 

[Itullian]

I know that there are many people who love Philip Glass, but I can't imagine sitting through three hours of Akhenaten.

I couldn't!

 

[Woodduck]

With the help of a little housework and the byways of the internet, I was able to get through to the end. I did it because it was there.

 

[hammeredklavier]

15 minutes to

escape

 

[59540]

I remember listening to those long ago when I was in my teens, back when Peter Allen was the presenter. Good times, good times.