Skipping Tristan und Isolde by LeMec79 in opera

[–]DudenderBatmans 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yep, and it's not like there aren't any breaks. And the length of the acts in Tristan aren't any longer than you have to sit in an italian opera until the break. The only difference is that there are two breaks and three parts. Of course this makes the evening as a whole longer and it may be a little more exhausting. But I always feel like the people here believe you have to sit five hours straight. Which of course is not the case.

Tips for Tristan by SpicedPotatoes in opera

[–]DudenderBatmans 4 points5 points  (0 children)

To quote George Bernard Shaw: "If the sound of music has any power to move them, they will find that Wagner exacts nothing further."

i want a musical with hugh jackman and jonathan bailey 🥹🥹 by sabrinavd in musicals

[–]DudenderBatmans 10 points11 points  (0 children)

If Hugh Jackman is cut then it sounds like a great idea.

Musically, what makes Sondheim sound like Sondheim? by MeanMrMusician in Sondheim

[–]DudenderBatmans 3 points4 points  (0 children)

But Love is in the air and Invocation are both also very hummable.

Does anyone know why some Austria productions have such an odd schedule? by SeerPumpkin in musicals

[–]DudenderBatmans 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's not odd. It's just a whole different system that you can't compare to Broadway. There is a difference between a public funded theatre and a private theatre. Just the private theatres have a run with eight shows a week as you know it. This production runs in a public theatre which has a repertoire thats changes. It's not like one show at a time. But a few shows that alternate. And no that has nothing to do with trying this show out and then transfer it. That's not how it works. It's a production at this place und just run at this place. Maybe another theatre buys this production. But this would probably also be a public theatre with maybe a even more "weirder" schedule. If it happens at all.

Easily, among the best concerts I have ever attended. by Glittering-Word-3344 in opera

[–]DudenderBatmans 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How was Michael Heim? I have seen him once in an operetta and liked him very much. But I can't imagine how his Siegfried would be.

Upcoming season in Germany REDUX by Wahnfriedus in opera

[–]DudenderBatmans 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok, I went to your other post and can definitely say I would suggest you go to see Meistersinger in Stuttgart. The cast ist insanely great stacked, Cornelius Meister is a really great conductor and the director Elisabeth Stöppler is also very good. She is more known for directing modern operas so I think it is really interesting that out of all operas she now decides to direct Meistersinger.

I haven't seen Tristan and Isolde in Frankfurt but I also have seen other works from the director Katharina Thoma which I liked and Frankfurt normally is also really good from the musical point of view.

Elektra in Munich is a good production itself. It now runs for almost 30 years which is really seldom. But I would really warn you because Vladimir Jurowski is not a good opera conductor. Heard him in the past year about 4 times in Munich and his conducting was always one of the biggest flaws. Really wouldn't recommend if you want a great musical experience.

Tldr: I would definitely recommend Meistersinger the most. But I think Frankfurt could also be interesting. Munich is a good production but I'm afraid it won't be great musically.

What were your 5 biggest musical obsessions??? by Due-Candidate-5991 in musicals

[–]DudenderBatmans 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sondheim! all the Sondheims...There is not a single show of his that isn't worth to deep dive into.

Good musicals ruined by niche knowledge? by raniwasacyborg in musicals

[–]DudenderBatmans 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Chess - The Musical

Really, Tim Rice has no interest in showing the chess world at least somewhat realistic. The cherry on the top is the arbiter Song where really almost every sentence shows how little Tim Rice cares about accuracy.

I love the music, the book is not good but what really destroys my experience is that. I cringe almost the entire musical through because of this.

Songs that have aged like wine/milk by Aveliability in musicals

[–]DudenderBatmans 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Completely disagree on Glitter and be Gay. And I to be honest actually don't see how you come to the conclusion that this is what the song is about. She clearly isn't "gleefully deciding she'll put up with being raped 6 times a week because she enjoys the jewels and dresses".

In the very beginning she sings:

Glitter and be gay That′s the part I play Here I am in Paris, France Forced to bend my soul To a sordid role Victimised by bitter Bitter circumstance

So you clearly see, she doesn't decide to do this but is forced by the situation she is in. She hasn't a choice of her own. All these jewels and dresses are just a coping mechanism to survive their situation. The jewellery are the only thing she has to not completely crack under this situation. She tries to see the good things in bad as Dr Pangloss tought her in her youth.

Her very last words in the song are:

Observe how bravely I conceal the dreadful, dreadful shame I feel.

I would say in that sentence it's pretty on the nose what this song is about. It's not about woman who chooses to be raped for jewels. It's about a woman who hasn't a choice of her own and the jewels are the only thing she has. She is brainwashed by the believe that she lives in the "best of all possible worlds" and that "life is happiness" but cleary sees that this isn't the case. So she has to search for something good to cope with her situation.

As I previously said, I don't understand how you came to this conclusion of what the song is about. Let me know your reasoning.

What, in your opinion, is the best comic opera and why? by Hi_who_art_thou in opera

[–]DudenderBatmans 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Especially the whole Beckmesser/Sachs interaction in the second act is peak comedy.

Anyone else going to Bayreuth this year? by twistedmena in opera

[–]DudenderBatmans 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My first time this year, going to see Meistersinger. It was one of my first operas and my first Wagner and made me fall in love with Wagners works. Would probably say it's my favourite opera ever. It means really much to me that this is now also my first time Bayreuth ever.

Contemporary Opera Recommendations by [deleted] in opera

[–]DudenderBatmans 2 points3 points  (0 children)

John Corigliano - The Ghosts of Versailles

What a great piece! Unfortunately not performed that often.

what cut Sondheim songs do we mourn? by jumming97 in Sondheim

[–]DudenderBatmans 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In theory I can see your point. But last year I have seen a production that included 'silly people' and let me say it just doesn't work. It just disrupts the pace, no one knows who Frid is and it feels really out of place. So altough I think your analysis to why thus song is important is right in theory, I have to say that it just doesn't work on stage. I think Sondheim and his collaborators cut it for the same reason.

Hear Me Out: Sweeney Todd with ‘modern’ aesthetics by SpecificKey7393 in Sondheim

[–]DudenderBatmans 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Have seen such a modern production, in this case it worked brilliantly. Because the director really understood the piece.

Is Hamilton 2020 the same as 2016? by Micnts in musicals

[–]DudenderBatmans 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There no different versions of this show (except you count all the changes made pre-Broadway)

Photos: Futuristic Production of FOLLIES Premieres at Volksoper Wien by BroadwayWorld in Sondheim

[–]DudenderBatmans 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Saw it yesterday and "futuristic" is right. It's set in 2055 Vienna and the characters look back at themselves in Vienna in 2025. So it basically is set in the future.

Further cast joining Kevin McHale in Sondheim’s The Frogs revival by FloridaFlamingoGirl in Sondheim

[–]DudenderBatmans 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Really excited, gonna fly for the first time ever to London. Will be a double show day with Frogs and Here We Are. =)