After tonight's Faust at Covent Garden, simulcast around the world, there was something Vittorio Grigolo just couldn't wait to tell the folks back home.
Wait, it's coming...
A swift salute first....
Continue reading "Vittorio Grigolo gets something off his chest" »
Yesterday was the dress rehearsal of the Met's season-opener, a new Anna Bolena with Anna Netrebko in the title role.
With David McVicar in the driving seat, no-one will be surprised to learn the production has a traditional look. For inspiration, costume designer Jenny Tiramani referenced court portraits, tapestries, actual relics and even wills detailing the deceased's garments, as Vogue.com reveal in more detail.
By happy and flattering coincidence, the historically-accurate swathes of satin and velvet frame Anna's impressive acres of bosom heavage whilst shrouding the remainder of her voluptuous assets in mystery.
Continue reading "Anna Netrebko frocks out" »
Goethe famously declared that the only composer able to do justice to his epic drama Faust was Mozart - by that point inconveniently deceased. So Gounod's effort to portray the masterpiece in music has always laboured under the mighty poet's curse.
Continue reading "Goethe's curse hits Roberto's Faust" »
Faust - Royal Opera House, 18 September 2011 (first night)

looking for a John Tomlinson impersonator?
Despite some outstanding performances from a top-drawer cast, this second revival of David McVicar's Faust somehow fails to hit the mark. Part of the blame is of course Gounod's - never afraid to cut a flowing story dead in its tracks with a crowd-pleasing ballet or drinking song.
Continue reading "Faust at the Royal Opera House" »
Il trittico - Royal Opera House, 14 September 2011

How do you handle a death in the family? Try to blot it out in sex without love (Giorgetta in Il tabarro)? Seek solace in religion without faith (Suor Angelica)? Or do you just treat it as a business opportunity, money without scruples (Gianni Schicchi)?
Continue reading "Il trittico at the Royal Opera House" »
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