An American Thorax
“It’s not like there’s anyone who wants new operas to fail. In fact, audiences, critics, and opera companies alike have huge stakes in seeing new works succeed. And goodness knows the Metropolitan Opera, like any reputable opera company, has a responsibility to present recent compositions. However, reviews are not for good intentions; I have to write about results.” Our editor JJ reviews the Met’s recent world premiere An American Tragedy (starring Nathan “Headlights” Gunn) in Gay City News. Just the thing to read as you listen to the Toll House Cookie/Metropolitan Opera Radio Network Broadcast tomorrow afternoon.
Oh, and when JJ says, “increasingly unflattering,” this is what he means:
“I’m supposed to be the Grand Duchess Anastasia, but I think I look more like Tugboat Annie.”
maggierJJ got it perfectly. The orchestrations in An American Tragedy were lovely, but the vocal lines…..oy Veh.
Although it was nice to see Nathan Gunn’s chest once again, it seemed to be to be a contrived moment to show some skin.
I totally agree with JJ that Susan Graham was out of her element in that part. AND being an ex costumer, the clothes did nothing for her character or her figure.
I too, attend these new works hoping for something I can get my teeth into. But alas it don’t happen
Re Nathan Gunn’s chest – I love it! When you have got it, flaunt it. You should have seen him in Billy Budd in Chicago a few years ago. His singing was terrific, but so were his looks. Incidentally, where were the critics when Sam Ramey appeared in the semi-buff all those years, in Mefistofele, particularly?