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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2016 13:25:02 GMT
I've booked to see WNO's Barber of Seville, xander1 and emcee! Looking forward to seeing my first one next month. If you enjoy it, it's all down to me, if not, blame emcee  Have fun! Reviews are mostly pretty positive for this production. Assuming you're seeing it in Cardiff, worth getting there early for a wander around the building if you've not been there before. |
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Post by Distant Dreamer... on Feb 15, 2016 16:03:25 GMT
If you enjoy it, it's all down to me, if not, blame emcee Have fun! Reviews are mostly pretty positive for this production. Assuming you're seeing it in Cardiff, worth getting there early for a wander around the building if you've not been there before. 
Yes, if you've not been to the Millennium Centre before it is well worth walking around, a rather unusual building.
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Post by Sue on Feb 15, 2016 18:31:34 GMT
Ah no, catching it in Bristol - I have a...ahem...mature and occasionally incontinent dog to work around so can't venture too far away time-wise! I have found a podcast, which introduces the Barber so I'll have a listen to that as well as hunting down some good reading material too.
Missed my thanks to Steve too, for suggesting this one!
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Post by mallardo on Feb 15, 2016 22:01:44 GMT
Does the WNO perform operas in the original language or in English? The Barber sounds SO much better in Italian.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2016 22:28:36 GMT
It varies - I think everything I've seen them do has been in original language but Barber is in English.
If you see them in their home principality you get surtitles in both English and Welsh.
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Post by Phantom of London on Feb 16, 2016 0:35:34 GMT
Isn't opera just musical theatre in a different language?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2016 6:39:47 GMT
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Post by Distant Dreamer... on Feb 16, 2016 8:22:57 GMT
Isn't opera just musical theatre in a different language? No...opera is a completely different art form, and one which precedes musical theatre. So musically to begin with it is deeply rooted in music, crafted with great care.
The whole "feel" of an opera is different, many were based upon plays or stories of the day which do not reflect in comparison to musicals.
They were the "musicals of the day" however, so perhaps that's a good way of viewing them.
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Post by mallardo on Feb 17, 2016 16:19:20 GMT
Sondheim's quote would have been true a few years ago but not so much now. Lots of good actors (who actually look the part) in opera. Hundreds of great singers in MT.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2016 15:54:02 GMT
It varies - I think everything I've seen them do has been in original language but Barber is in English. If you see them in their home principality you get surtitles in both English and Welsh. Indeed, it's a pleasing game of 'oh that's how you translate that' and/or 'why can't I understand that' 'you're looking at the Welsh sir' In all seriousness I recommend WNO as an accessible opera company based on repertoire and prices, while they do enjoy some 'out there' productions (The Tudor season will live long in memory for that) they also tend to stick to at least one 'old favourite' a season. And you won't feel ripped off/need to remortage to get a decent seat! |
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Post by bordeaux on Mar 7, 2016 18:56:26 GMT
My advice would be to listen to the piece (or highlights if you don't have time for the whole thing) a few times before you go. It really does make a difference to your enjoyment; either buy or borrow them from the library. Or presumably they're free on Spotify.
Someone suggested you live in Gloucester. In which case look out for English Touring Opera visiting Cheltenham in April. I'd recommend Don Giovanni by Mozart as a great introduction to opera - some great tunes and an unimprovable mixture of comedy and darkness. Their production of Gluck's Iphigenie en Tauride has just had some great reviews too if Greek stuff appeals - probably not many jokes in that one, though.
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Post by lynette on Mar 7, 2016 22:53:28 GMT
I'm no opera buff but I have found I have really enjoyed the operas I have seen. I think if you have seen some theatre you can appreciate the stories, the direction and so on. What I find opera brings is an immersion in the art, emotional and artistic. I'm a total sucker for La Boheme and I loved the Jonathan Miller version with its bleak side streets. And Madame Butterfly sitting up all night is amazing, the music is stunning. But funnily enough I have enjoyed the ones that are not one big song after another too. I love Eugene Onegin, just love it.
I was going to suggest splurging on a good seat at the ROH - I did for Bryn Terfel's Flying Dutchman - but there are so many inexpensive smaller companies now it would be fun to dip in and try a couple each season and get to know them. Mozart of course brilliant but even the funny ones don't necessarily grab you at first.
So I recommend from my limited knowledge that you get recommendations, read reviews and spend as much as you dare.
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