The Rake's Progress
May. 10th, 2015 09:44 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
smallhobbitBristol Opera (an amateur group) have been performing this Stravinsky opera for the last few days. Since SM was singing in the chorus I went, twice.
The first time I took my mother, who had expressed an interest in going, and my son and daughter-in-law came to. We went to the opening night, so didn't expect perfection. The costumes were stunning and the chorus were good. Unfortunately the male lead couldn't reach the high notes and was frankly a bit old for the part (Rakewell is described as young and handsome). However the female lead was excellent and we were happy to listen to her. So an interesting experience, but one we all felt lasted far too long.
I was not greatly looking forward to my second trip - closing night, followed by after show party. Fortunately the three main leads alternated, so there were different singers. Rakewell was much younger and had a much better voice. The young man who played Nick Shadow was extremely good, not only a better singer than the previous Shadow, but also a better actor and for me the outstanding performer. I may have preferred the earlier soprano, but it's hard to tell, both were good. I did enjoy the performance.
But Stravinsky's music didn't appeal; I like the orchestral music to tie in with the choral music and in this piece there seemed to be no connection.
The first time I took my mother, who had expressed an interest in going, and my son and daughter-in-law came to. We went to the opening night, so didn't expect perfection. The costumes were stunning and the chorus were good. Unfortunately the male lead couldn't reach the high notes and was frankly a bit old for the part (Rakewell is described as young and handsome). However the female lead was excellent and we were happy to listen to her. So an interesting experience, but one we all felt lasted far too long.
I was not greatly looking forward to my second trip - closing night, followed by after show party. Fortunately the three main leads alternated, so there were different singers. Rakewell was much younger and had a much better voice. The young man who played Nick Shadow was extremely good, not only a better singer than the previous Shadow, but also a better actor and for me the outstanding performer. I may have preferred the earlier soprano, but it's hard to tell, both were good. I did enjoy the performance.
But Stravinsky's music didn't appeal; I like the orchestral music to tie in with the choral music and in this piece there seemed to be no connection.
