the art of the euphemism
La Cieca never knows quite how far to go in repeating what she “is told,” but since some of it seems to be leaking out anyway, well, she’ll try to be tactful. Apparently sometimes opera companies choose to use terminology like “laryngitis” and “knee injury” in order to avoid having to say “exhibited bizarre behavior at rehearsals” or “arrived obviously unprepared.”
#100 Brewer sang the Nozze Countess nearly 20 years ago at Covent Garden, and Ariadne some 10 years ago at ENO. She is more often seen in concert opera performances here e.g. Fidelio with the LSO. She is almost a permanent fixture on the London concert scene appearing regularly with the BBC SO and the LSO.
She opened last year’s Proms with the VLL.
ok…so she’s never had an opearatic career. thanks for clearing that up for me.
Oh Brian, Please. (100). Most of us were very excited to hear that Brewer was being given a chance at The Met — the company that plucked Rosa Ponselle out of VAUDEVILLE, for Me’s sake. There was ecstacy to hear that she would be replacing Voigt in one of the cycles.
There was always the chance — just the chance, as with anyone else coming into the house — that this could be something big. (Forgive me, there, no aspersion intended and I’d appreciate your not taking it as such.) It didn’t work, more’s the pity but I can’t see any fault in the planning.There was the chance … management gambled and lost.
well wotan….i’m sorry you’re so disappointed.
myself, i’m, just sitting back and ejoying rheingold.
Joe: ok, so two seasons ago she sang exactly 2 recitals and 3 concerts. That’s a “flourishing concert career?”
Gosh, I’d hate to know what a “sparse concert career” is.
Cassandra: take a deep breath. There are 365 days in a year and a “flourishing concert career” doesn’t take place on only 14 of those days. She rarely gives recitals and she makes an occasional appearance with an orchestra for a few weeks a year. It’s not a very grueling schedule.
I have no doubt that the “knee injury” is real. That was my point. If you choose to think that Blythe is bigger and wider and all of that nonsense go right ahead. But it was you who said she wasn’t “obese” and that’s pure fantasy. She’s only not “obese” if you also think that Moby Dick is a small fish.
I have no personal problem with Brewer. I think she’s a wonderful artist and will be sorely missed in this Ring but your comments about how small she was were just absolutely ridiculous. As was the content of most of the rest of your posts ….
You can breathe again now. And take some more cymbalta while you’re at it.
the one who needs to breath is Turandot. God forbid people see Moby DICK as a small fish. What would that do for your history?
Your highnesses…please, stop this nonsense already. Whether Brewer is larger than Blythe is not important. As is that woohah surrounding her knee injury. As is Moby Dick and all. If you were a Titan, Moby Dick would be small fish.
I saw Brewer in the rehearsal room the other day, and she seemed to be fine vocally and textually. I WAS THERE. She did have trouble negotiating the stage, but then again we should remind ourselves that she’s no Hildegard Behrens or Gwyneth Jones. Her knee injury may be legitimate, or it may be not. I was talking to one of the stage directors at the Met and was informed that she didn’t know the words too well. So yes, she may have been fired, or she may have just as well left, but whatever the reasons are, let’s put those to rest, shall we? It’s just tiring to gossip about an artist left and right about something this embarrassing especially if she can’t even defend herself.
gosh, the people who work at the Met must be the most indiscreet group in the world!! remind me, next time i’m there, not to even say good evening to an usher. if i want an orangina at intermission, i’ll just pass the bartender a note!
you’ll never know where angela or visconti will be lurking!
Pres. Obama says he does not govern from anger. Brian were you aware of that? I recommend, with all due respect of course, that you dwell on that point and not post from anger/snark/pure bitchyness/ignorance/an excess of gay bile — or whatever your problem is. If you have new information or a constructive idea – then, say it! Otherwise, just shut up, be nice and vote Democratic. [And listen to your very wise president.]
Thank you.