August 2011
13 posts
Back in NYC!
I’m happy to say that after a much needed hiatus, I am back in New York: one of the most exiting cities in the world and the best place for all things theater and opera.
The good news, dear readers, is that I will be able to review this season’s hottest tickets first hand! I am especially looking forward to seeing the new Met offerings in the opera house and in movie theaters. I will...
WatchThis scene from “Modern Family” cracks me up. Gloria never learned how to ride a bicycle because she is convinced that someone will sneak up and grab her. So, Luke takes it upon himself to teach Gloria how to ride by using his “special technique.”
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WatchThe beautiful monologue from Richard Strauss’ “Der Rosenkavalier.” The first time I saw this, live at the Met, I knew I would love opera forever.
This role remains the crown jewel of Renee Fleming’s repertoire. She acts with aching subtlety, and shapes Strauss’ phrases with elegance.
I find the text of this scene heartbreaking. I always reel as I listen to the...
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New Website
Hey guys! I finally have my own website. It’s just this blog for now, but I’ll be adding other fun stuff later on!
www.idontgiveafach.com
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Music and Drama?
The opera community never fails to amaze - make that - infuriate me time and again. They’re a bunch of tradition bound zealots, intent on keeping opera in a museum, or rather, a tomb. Each one of them wants something different when they go to see opera. (They prefer this type of voice, or that type of sound, elaborate sets, period sets.)
Mostly, there is a big cult of historians and...
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WatchThe first time my friend Gabbie and I saw this, we broke out laughing hysterically. I adore this woman. Opera would be so boring without her. She’s doing something for the art form that no one else has the balls to do.
Salut à la France! A mes beaux jours! A l’espérance! A mes amours! Salut à la gloire! Voilà pour mon cœur, Avec la victoire, L’instant du bonheur!
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Maestros! Divas! Drama! Meh...
The Metropolitan Opera’s 2011-2012 season is looking pretty tepid from this operagoer’s perspective. One look at the Met’s website and publicity materials suggests that Peter Gelb is banking on a new production of Massanett’s “Manon,” and the house’s first ever staging of Donizetti’s “Anna Bolena.”
This is understandable, as both...
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Singers: The Youth Factor
The press likes to drum up a lot of theories on the pressures facing young singers today. For the past three years, the story has focused mainly on the HD Broadcasts and the supposed pressure on young singers to care for their bodies. The operating philosophy seems to be: Peter Gelb and his big bad HD broadcasts are favoring beautiful singers with small voices over more qualified singers who may...
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Lauren Ambrose is Fanny
For once the vapid, disappointing world of Broadway has thrown me a genuine curve ball. Lauren Ambrose, of “Six Feet Under,” will play Fanny Brice in the upcoming revival if “Funny Girl” directed by Bartlett Sher. This comes as a genuine shock, as I was sure it was going to be Lea Michelle and I don’t think Ms. Abrose was on anyone’s list as a contender for...
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