i stand warned
From an email promo for Washington National Opera’s current production of Elektra:
See Susan Bullock and Christine Goerke Sing Elektra!
Washington National Opera stars Susan Bullock and Christine Goerke are featured in these extended excerpts and interviews from a recent production of Strauss’ Elektra in Florence, Italy, directed by Robert Carsen and conducted by Seiji Ozawa. Note: The interviews and subtitles are in Italian, and Clip Two contains nudity.
But, on the other hand, La Cieca thinks perhaps (just perhaps) nudity might be preferable to some of the costuming for this production, which our informant describes as “a particularly overwrought drag show.”
No disrespect, oh wise La Cieca… but i just went to WNO’s website, and the costumes dont seem all THAT garrish… and truth be told id rather look at the costumes rather than the nude singers… but id love to hear Ms. Goerke again anytime, clothed or nekkid.
Has anybody else seen that Draculetta will be singing live in Prospect Park on June 20th? I find the press release I saw fascinating – Gheorghiu is billed at the top, and then a bit further down in the main body of the text it mentions that her husband will also be around and will do a bit of singing too.
I find it odd that she is being positioned as the star, while Alagna is some kind of ‘also ran’. In the context of the current operatic environment, and in the right repertoire, he’s about the best tenor we have and is a big name that sells well (although the concert is free) in his own right. And isn’t the couple an even greater draw than the artists individually? Or has somebody decided enough is enough – no more promoting them as the Sonny & Cher of opera?
Anyway, should be a good concert, as these open air things go.
Wait, isn’t that Petula Clark in Sunset Boulevard?!
Whatever the costumes, the audience is in for a treat with Bullock’s Elektra. Not an ideal-size voice for the part (more jungendlichdramatish than hochdramatisch) but absolutely riveting.
In the photo, is that Elektra wearing the turban and jewels or Klytaemnestra? It looks like it could be Bullock but I’m not sure.
I am not yet familiar with this opera, but i determined it to be K, sung by Irina Mishura…
Having seen the first night I can testify that while Bullock is intensely impressive and committed, it is Goerke who, vocally and dramatically steals the show with a wonderfully evenly-produced, creamy and powerful voice that rode the orchestral tempest with ease and passion- and on Saturday the last 20 minutes were incandescent – finally the performance took fire and you were held vice-like to your seat.
I did like the set but thought, unlike some comments that I have read that is recalled Edvard Munch-like expressionism rather than Pop-art candy oolours.
I haven’t heard about Goerke in a while. She sang Norma in Seattle several years ago (opposite the Adalgisa of Podles) and I saw her at the Met as an excellent Donna Elvira a few years ago. I was expecting to hear more and more of her but haven’t. Glad to hear that her Chrysothemis was such a triumph. Is her career mostly based in Europe?
I enjoy Christine alot… and i thought from the clip on the WNO website she sounded great, too… I love her recording of Iphigenie en Tauride, and after listing to that, i heard her live in Santa Fe in 2004 in the title role of Agrippina and she didnt disappoint there, either. Where else has she been?
Goerke scored an absolute triumph with Crysothemis in Florence in the production La Cieca mentions (which was truly excellent, Bullock very good and Baltsa spectacular as Clytemnstra). She is debuting Fidelio in Philadelphia next season (or perhaps has just done it, I forget).
Eman: “Baltsa spectacular as Clytemnstra”
I would kill to hear or see her do this. I will always remain a rabbid Baltsa fan.