parterre box

140 comments

• leboyfriend says:

  To reiterate Pavel’s comment #46 where do we meet for opening night? I can’t believe we’re not going to dissect this one bar by bar, line by line…

  on September 21, 2009 at 3:40 PM
• armerjacquino says:

  I’m confused by the whole idea of subtexts which ‘may not exist’.

  Surely the point about subtext is that if someone finds it, it exists?

  on September 21, 2009 at 3:45 PM
• Chester says:

  #117 Tubsinger, I personally don’t want a middle ground. I’d like both: a production that appreciates the opera’s intent and is still an intriguing staging.

  on September 21, 2009 at 3:47 PM
• Noel Dahling says:

  Dear LaC: I fear you are correct when you say “the ‘casual’ audience has steadily been siphoned off by other forms of entertainment.”
  I fear that the majority of people who go to opera are more ‘casual’ than I, but we need them to keep the doors open. But now the middleclass house wife can get her ‘night on the town’ and her dose of the exotic from Phantom of the Opera or an Il Divo concert without the “pain” of seeing a genuine operatic performance.

  on September 21, 2009 at 3:55 PM
• Lindoro Almaviva says:

  d anyone who would take Martina Arroyo’s take on anything needs to have their head examined, She was probably drunk when she said it.

  You know paddy?, Fuck you. I have known Martina Arroyo for about 10 years now and have had the pleasure of having many conversations with her as we as having more than one masterclass, voice lesson and competition where she was present.

  You can say anything you want about her voice, her style, her approach and many other things. What you can not say is that she is drunk and disorderly because Martina Arroyo is nothing but one of the sweetest, warmest people you will ever meet. She has never had anything but a Joyeux de vivre that is infectious and an outlook in life that is nothing short of miraculous, given the fact that she had to deal with being Puertorican when being Puertorican in NYC was nothing to be proud of AND was performing at times when being black WAS a sin in this country; let alone her upbringing in one of the most violent suburbs on NYC.

  So like her voice or not, appreciate her talents or not, but show more respect for the woman, cause it is the least you could do.

  on September 21, 2009 at 4:01 PM
• Noel Dahling says:

  Arroyo had a great since of humor; thats no reason to jump to the conclusion that she was DRUNK! Was such a joy to hear her Lady M on Sirius after hearing Ghulegina. Like balm for the ears.

  on September 21, 2009 at 4:04 PM
• Chester says:

  While Arroyo wasn’t a great actress, she wasn’t a big lump on stage, either. Jane

  The few times I met her, she seemed a real doll.

  on September 21, 2009 at 4:06 PM
• Lindoro Almaviva says:

  La Boheme can survive a student production, yes, but can Wozzeck? or L’Incoronazione di Poppea?

  Indiana University did a production of Wozzek several years ago that was by all accounts quite well done. And I’ll too my own horn and say that while a student, i did Arnalta in a “reggie” production of Poppea that was fantastic. The singing was fantastic, the characterization and the directing had a point and a great time was had by all, on and off stage. It got better reviews than any show that was done at IU that year; and I have the video to prove it.

  on September 21, 2009 at 4:07 PM
• MontyNostry says:

  Interviews with Arroyo always seem to suggest a quick wit and a warm heart, which can’t be bad. Have you ever heard her teasing Joan Sutherland about her trill? I think it is from a Met interval broadcast.

  And while I don’t think she was the most stylish or insightful singer, the sound was wonderfully full, shining and healthy.

  on September 21, 2009 at 4:11 PM
• brooklynpunk says:

  Lindoro/125:

  ..THANK-YOU…!!…VERY NICELY SAID..!!

  (one of the real dangers of the internet, it seems..is the ability of people to throw out such statements, as Paddy did..and think they can go unquestioned…or un- checked…)

  I don’t “know” if Ms.Arroyo likes her liquor…if so…WTF business is it of …ANYONE..?…AND yes… SHE is one of the real jewels in a business that could use a few more , like her…

  on September 21, 2009 at 4:15 PM