[Magdalen] It Trittico Opera Stuff.

[Cantor03 at aol.com]

In a message dated 10/8/2015 9:54:47 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
scottknitter at gmail.com writes:

I  haven't been to the Met (closest I've been was the NYC Opera's Don
Giovanni  many years ago), but the stagings would be at least half of
what I'd go  there for!>>>>>>>>
 
The stagings are a big part of what makes it "grand" opera.



Outside of the Met, I tend to prefer stagings that are a  bit
nontraditional -->>>>>>>
 
The Frankfurt Opera (Germany) has an active grand opera season.
as does the nearby Darmstadt Opera.  Both companies have some of  the
bare bones type sets.  I can't help but have the feeling that they  are
secondary to budgetary constraints.  



That said, the last opera I attended was Der Rosenkavalier  in
traditional staging and costuming, at the Chicago Lyric Opera. It  was
ravishing, even if very long. The continuous ocean waves of music  are
what I'm there for. Richard Strauss didn't go in for stopping for  a
recitative with harpsichord.  :)>>>>>>>>
 
One of my most favorite operas.  You might also try "Arabella" if  you
haven't done so.  I'm not so wild about Strauss' "Electra,"  "Salome"
and "Ariadne Auf Naxos.  My nephew, Clive, was taken to the Met
(on tour in Minneapolis) production of "Der Rosenkavalier" at the
age of 7.  At the first intermission, he was asked how he liked  the
performance.  He came back with, "I'll tell you this.  That guy  (Octavian)
is NOT a man!"
 
 
David Strang.