parterre box

46 comments

• 41
  O mein Gott says:

  January 29, 2009 at 3:32 PM

  Count me in. The subject was the state of the economy and the arts. Millo discusses the need for some help from washington, then gets into the style lacking in many shows,
  and then Medea and Adriana. I thought it well written and not dishing new productions but against those that “piss” all over the world of music.

  I loev the line too, “no one pays to hear a director sing”, yes it isn’t what we pay for, not their job, but certainly not what I go to the opera to see. I loved Caballe’s Traviata. so realim is not my first order.
• 42
  paddypig says:

  January 30, 2009 at 8:25 AM

  Della Traviata, your comment about Tosca shows a lack of understanding. Tosca takes place in three specific sites in Rome on one particular day, July 1, 1800. Puccini was very specific as to both time and setting. Why is this any less sacred then say singing vissi d’arte? We would all be appalled if a certain soprano decided that vissi d’arte was not really appropriate at that moment and decided to sing the liebestod instead, so we can relate Isolde’s grief to Tosca’s. No one would find that acceptable, so why do we find Ballo opening with a much of male chorus members sitting on toilets with their pants around their ankles?
• 43
  Antoine says:

  January 30, 2009 at 1:50 PM

  it’s sad. are you sure that there is no money left in OONY?
  I had been waiting for Rienzi. Let me call my friend in the NY Wagner Society to find out more.
• 44
  Cantantelirico says:

  January 30, 2009 at 9:30 PM

  Frank Lopardo was the MET’s first choice for the new production of Madama Butterfly. Mr. Lopardo sang at the Met for seventeen seasons until Mr. Gelb decided he was no longer worthy. Lopardo is a dedicated artist whose main focus was his work. He never involved himself in politics and never played THE GAME. Frank Lopardo is an American artist and the MET paid him off and sent him packing. Can you honestly say that what you are getting at the Met these days is so amazing? Why is Lopardo the oject of so much scorn?
• 45
  Drammy says:

  January 30, 2009 at 9:46 PM

  @ Cantantelirico :

  I can’t presume to be in-the-know technically [don't have perfect pitch or know any opera trivia] but I do know Lopardo was swallowed up by the music at the Chicago Lyric [saw Madama Butterfly there recently, with Lopardo and Racette]. One simply couldn’t even hear him…
• 46
  Cantantelirico says:

  February 1, 2009 at 10:27 AM

  @Drammy

  At least you are willing to admit that you are “CLUELESS”.