From the 1978 film of Götz Friedrich’s production of Tannhäuser — alas, not currently available on DVD. Dame Gwyneth Jones is the lady asking the rather personal question.
At yesterday’s matinee Hansel and Gretel at the Met (broadcast and simulcast), a disgruntled audience member expresses his distaste for the “forest” setting, just as Lisette Oropesa makes her entrance as the Dew Fairy. Top marks to Ms. Oropesa not only for singing her solo so enchantingly, but for continuing without a flinch despite the clearly audible shout of “Boo! Change the set!” (At least the fellow didn’t yell, “Bravo! Bravo Robert O’Hearn!”)
A number of the cher public have asked for more photos of hunkalicious Jonas Kaufmann, with a several of you specifially requesting a image without the tenor’s accustomed facial stubble. Well, one of La Cieca’s dear readers has obliged by sending a snapshot of Kaufmann before he stopped shaving, or possibly before he even started shaving.
The reader recalls performing with Der Junge Jonas circa 1997 when he “still sang Rossini and The Student Prince.” A particularly vivid memory is of “Jonas in biker spandex for Proben in Heidelberg!” (The image of Mr. Kauffman’s dinner companion has been obscured for reasons of privacy.)
And now here’s some contemporary video of the unstubbled Kaufmann in action, singing The Student Prince.
Pint-sized Broadway dynamo Kristen Chenoweth will make her fully-staged role debut as Cunegonde in Candide at the English National Opera this summer. The Bernstein/Wilbur, Latouche, Parker, Hellman, Sondheim, Bernstein & Wheeler operetta will be performed in the Robert Carsen production previously seen at the Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris and La Scala, Milan. Performances begin June 23 for a 13-performance run.
According to The Stage, “popular tenor” Toby Spence will take on the title role, with other casting TBA. By an odd coincidence, the ENO are presenting a concert only a few weeks prior to this Candide starring a diva some might consider “dream casting” as The Old Lady. La Cieca supposes we should just dream on!
And will someone please wake La Cieca when the New York City Opera gets around to announcing the casting for their revival of the creaky Harold Prince staging of Candide?
Jummy Jonas Kaufmann records his recital CD Romantic Arias
“As implied by the title, this collection probes deeply into Wagner’s vast Ring…. Among the highlights is the revealing chapter on the many characters than Wagner has managed to cram into his Ring. Also covered are the brass instruments that Wagner designed specifically for use within his Ring.”
The infelicitous title of this musiciological study has led to a veritable festival of punning reviews over at amazon.com.
On New Year’s Day, WNET/Channel 13 will broadcast all six operas comprising the first season of Met HD simulcasts. As you stagger home from your year-end revels, you can tune in to The First Emperor at 5:00 AM, followed by I puritani at 8:00 and Il barbiere di Siviglia at 11:00. Following a nice long nap and (one hopes) a hearty portion of hopping john, you can enjoy The Magic Flute at 9:30 PM, followed by Il trittico at 11:30 and (believe me, this is worth staying up for) Eugene Onegin at 2:30 AM January 2.
Those of you not living in New York should check your local listings. And you’ll have to cook your own hopping john.
Cher Public