Our friend Chaz went to the Metropolitan Opera to see a production of an opera called La Somnambula by Bellini, and has transcribed a review from the Associated Press. I thought you’d be amused.
Our friend Chaz went to the Metropolitan Opera to see a production of an opera called La Somnambula by Bellini, and has transcribed a review from the Associated Press. I thought you’d be amused.
As it happens, I just (as in about three hours ago) finished reading an article in The New Yorker about Natalie Dessay, which had some considerable mention of this production (which had not yet opened at press time). It sounded a little strange, and not likely to actually work on the stage.
I saw La Sonnambula (double ‘n’ isn’t a typo, it’s just the way the Italians spell it) for the first time a few weeks ago in a local amateur production. It only works dramatically because of the somnambulism. Weaken that element and nothing else makes any sense.
Too many “artists” are allowed to indulge their fancies nowadays without giving close, critical thought to their subject. I think this is to the detriment of the arts in general. Perhaps if more of these nutjob directors were booed, companies would stop hiring them.
Thanks for the link.