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The Lego Opera, previously heard performing Il trovatore, has returned with a new and innovative production of Tosca.
Lego bricks outnumber human beings 62 to 1. Did you know that?
Lego bricks outnumber human beings 62 to 1. Did you know that?
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POSTED at
1:40 AM
26 Comments:
The strange thing is that it works! Those little fellas are oddly moving (as well as moving oddly). But who did Tosca land on after her leap?
What I love about this "production" is the director's choice of the title role: Mirella Freni, a totally underrated Tosca. Like a reviewer once said about her interpretation, "She is effective in the role without resorting to chewing up the furniture, as quite a few Tosca's tend to do."
That there are other suicides already in the river is very funny unless I missed something. Pavarotti is so glorious
You should include Il Teatro delle Lego productions in the regie quiz!
When it comes to Regie, the Lego approach is truer to the spirit of the piece (ie the opera, as opposed to piece of Lego) than Konwitschny, Bieito and company.
"What? Did you think this was going to be a tragic opera?" LOL
Bravi! And wasn't that the annoying shepherd under Tosca? If so, a perfect ending. No loose ends. I was looking forward to a reconstruction of Hadrian's Tomb in Legos, but the cannon more than compensated.
Now if only he'd get someone to proofread his subtitles...
The design concept is a little regie for me. I mean, Tosca's outfit is pure "Fanciulla," and her sideburns have got to go. But all in all, it's pretty f---in' fantastic. Certainly more entertaining that half of what I see live or on DVD. Bravo!!
I love Legos.
Speaking of Tosca, may I attempt to spark a debate...does Caravadossi know the guns are loaded, and is just humoring Tosca? Discuss.
Bardolfo:
As the libretto doesn't indicate one way or the other what Cavaradossi does or doesn't know, I suppose it's up to the director and tenor to make that performance choice for themselves. In this production, however, the cannon is a dead giveaway that he's a goner.
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And don't try that stupid improv! LOL!
I think the Lego figure she falls on top of is Cavaradossi who also fell after being shot.
As for the ending of the opera, I'm pretty sure that Cavaradossi knows what's in store for him. I don't think there's anything in the text to support it directly but his manner with Tosca in those final moments is of one trying to take in the loveliness of his beloved one last time. He is resgined to his fate and just enjoys those final moments.
This Tosca is brilliant! More! More!
Bardolfo, it's an interesting notion that Cavaradossi knows that the bullets will be real. Hm! He might have since he was less gullible than Tosca. But if he knew, you'd think he'd tried to give Tosca some idea how to deal with things when he actually ended up dead.
My vote is that he has misgivings, but is hoping for the best.
Its brilliant- I can't wait for the Mecanno Macbeth!
Seriously loved the choice of the Freni Tosca and totally agree she has been seriously underrated in this role- her Tosca is brilliant and way more believable than most others.
I can't see how Cavaradossi humouring Tosca could be made to work psychologically, really. If he knows he's going to die then why would he leave her to make the horrific discovery that he's dead when she's expecting to begin their life together? That verges on extreme cruelty. And the instinct would surely be to say his goodbyes.
It didn't work for me. I'm wondering how many decades will go by before a tenor of Pavarotti's golden age Italianate timbre graces the opera stage again?
I've definitely paid good money to see worse acting.
I admit I am attracted to this. Now that I have a digital camera, I could do one.
OMG, there's also Act 1 (in two parts) and Act 2 available on YouTube. Next time I'm stoned, I'm *so* watching all 3 acts...
As to Bardolfo's question, spurred on by the Lego soundtrack, I watched a clip of Pavarotti singing the hell out of E Lucevan Le Stelle on YouTube (a Met telecast) and from the words as they're translated, he clearly thinks he's a goner. I love how the melody for the words "E non ho amato mai tanto la vita!" ("And I never have loved life so much!") is used as Tosca plunges to her death, the big cymbal crash punctuating that.
and from the words as they're translated, he clearly thinks he's a goner.
Yes, but that takes place before Tosca comes in with the plot and the safe conduct, etc. I think it's pretty open to interpretation whether he thinks the faked death plot will actually work, or he knows that something is destined to go wrong. What's essential is that Tosca thinks it's going to work, otherwise there's no motivation for her shock and horror at the end.
After the youthful and avant-garde excesses of Teatro Lego's first production, "Trovatore," it's nice to see a more traditional treatment of this "Tosca." With this company's resources, budget, and access to talent... let's hope there is an "Aida" in their future plans. A triumphal march for the ages - he will show Zefirelli how it's done!
PS. But I must say, avant-garde or not, their staging of the "Miserere" and conclusion of "Trovatore" is no less a masterpiece than this "Tosca."
I think that Cavaradossi doesn't tell Tosca that it'll be a real execution because they have so little time. He just enjoys what little time he has with her. Also, if Tosca were to suspect that it wasn't a fake execution, she might cause trouble and put herself in danger somehow. Of course, this is all conjecture because there isn't any proof to support this theory in the libretto.
Yes, but that takes place before Tosca comes in with the plot and the safe conduct, etc.
[shakes fist, ala Grampa Simpson] Damn you, plot details, damn you all to hell!
Yeah, that sort of negates my point, doesn't it? :-(
After the youthful and avant-garde excesses of Teatro Lego's first production, "Trovatore," it's nice to see a more traditional treatment of this "Tosca."
Hahaha. I'd like to see them tackle the German rep. Freischutz maybe?
Only a really Mrs. Wiggins Tosca would not realize that a lead musket ball fired at a guy from five feet away would go right into Mario, unless he did some stage business like tucking his painter's board into his shirt(and that might not work either). Is this woman for real?
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