Post by joem on Jun 19, 2016 16:27:44 GMT
Should this thread be in "Opera and Dance" or "International"?
This was an interesting production of an opera where Verdi plays a fairly straight bat with Shakespeare's text. Where it strays (for example the scene where Malcolm pretends he is even worse than Macduff to test him) it isn't always successful. Someone unfamiliar with the text might have wondered who on earth is this guy who turns up to lead the army against Macbeth.
Impressive staging, with the pick being the way the interiors are seen over three floors (bit ike that video with Sporty Spice and Bryan Adams). Have to say the decision to kill Macbeth screened from the audience was dubious though.
Not too sure about Lady Macbeth being caressed by assorted courtiers in the banquet scene. Surely a red-blooded chap like Macbeth would have put short shrift to this?
The chorus was solid. Amongst the soloists, Vladimir Sulimsky and Kaia Pellegrino as the happy coupl impressed but upcoming British bass impressed in the role of Banquo.
Plenty of semi-gratuitous nudity - the three witches (not bearded but....) is not a new idea but Duncan? DUNCAN??? Who would have thought the old man....
This was an interesting production of an opera where Verdi plays a fairly straight bat with Shakespeare's text. Where it strays (for example the scene where Malcolm pretends he is even worse than Macduff to test him) it isn't always successful. Someone unfamiliar with the text might have wondered who on earth is this guy who turns up to lead the army against Macbeth.
Impressive staging, with the pick being the way the interiors are seen over three floors (bit ike that video with Sporty Spice and Bryan Adams). Have to say the decision to kill Macbeth screened from the audience was dubious though.
Not too sure about Lady Macbeth being caressed by assorted courtiers in the banquet scene. Surely a red-blooded chap like Macbeth would have put short shrift to this?
The chorus was solid. Amongst the soloists, Vladimir Sulimsky and Kaia Pellegrino as the happy coupl impressed but upcoming British bass impressed in the role of Banquo.
Plenty of semi-gratuitous nudity - the three witches (not bearded but....) is not a new idea but Duncan? DUNCAN??? Who would have thought the old man....