It’s never too late for a bitchslap
La Cieca thinks that Marcelo Àlvarez should be reminded that he is a tenor, and nobody is really interested in a tenor’s views on theology. And even if he doesn’t know better than to badmouth an ongoing production at a theater that presumably is (or anyway was) contemplating offering him future contracts — he is a tenor, this bears repeating — surely his management needs to rein him in.
Even if you’re in a car wreck, Sr. Àlvarez, until the wreckage is completely towed away, you’re supposed to say you’re having a wonderful time. That’s what colleagues do.
I feel completely different from our esteemed hostess.
I respect the fact that a singer dares to speak his/her mind honestly.
When the Robert Wilson “Lohengrin” was in the rep several years ago, I recall hearing both Mattila and Heppner groaning over the fact that having to pose in stoic positions while still attempting to keep their mind on their singing was daunting at best. They were not happy campers and they voiced it openly even before the run was over.
Why should singers have to “pretend” they are pleased with something and then come out later on with “the truth”? That smacks of two-facedness to me.
I’ll take honesty every time, thank you.
arepo: I totally agree. Good for Alvarez that he’s secure and courageous enough to be open about the production’s lapses in taste and logic. I’m sure Bondy doesn’t give a shit — nor should he — and if Gelb gets pissed, then so be it. Alvarez seems to be saying, “Hey, if you’re going to do stupid things or ask me to do stupid things, I’m gonna call you on it.” Bravo! it’s time singers started behaving like artists, rather than cattle.
Yes, what could be a more courageous stance to take than to offer your opinion of a booed and critically lambasted production: “Hey, don’t blame me, I never liked it either.”
Give this man a medal. We should have men of his mettle fighting for us in Afghanistan instead of the pussies who are there now.
arepo,
I strongly feel that honesty, under any circumstances, is a poor excuse for doing something very stupid. I agree completely with la cieca. Her old, old friend Jeannie Berlin had this to say:
“Even with a turkey that you know will fold
You may be stranded out in the cold,
Still you wouldn’t trade it for a sack o’ gold
Let’s go on with the show.”
Why should opera singers be allowed to be less professional than Broadway stars? The singers signed on as part of a team and keeping their heads above such silliness is part of the job.
Regarding Lohengrin: Please remember also, that “having difficulties” learning the ropes with a new production and a new director is normal for everyone involved, and expressing that is a far cry from the insults and pettiness expressed by MA.
Matilla told me herself after a few performances of the Wilson Lohengrin that her friends and husband (who had been attending rehearsals) felt that it was a magnificent show and worth all the extra effort she was complaining about. In the end, she said, she came around and admired it greatly. After all, she returned for another run, didn’t she?
We all need to remember to keep our mouths shut while caught in the midst of a learning curve. MA should know better.
Oops. Mattila, not Matilla. Sorry
jamburn: It should also be noted that when Mattila, Heppner and (as I recall) Voigt eventually spoke publicly about the Wilson production, it was in terms of their own physical difficulties in rehearsing and performing it. None of them said, “It’s a stupid way of presenting the piece that violated Wagner’s sacred intentions, and the second act looks like an ice cream parlor instead of a castle courtyard.”
Alvarez is whining about the artistic quality of the staging, which, frankly, he is in the worst possible position to appreciate because he can’t see any of it as an audience member. (The shallowness of his critical abilities is indicated when he singles out Bondy’s staging as “anti-Catholic” — this of a work in which the Catholic clergy is presented as being willing, even eager, to violate the Seal of the Confessional for the purpose of ratting out the politically disloyal to the secret police!)
La Cieca: You said it best!
As far as the current Tosca is concerned, I haven’t seen it yet, so I can’t comment on it directly. But seeing it is not required in order to know that MA is behaving inappropriately.
knowing full well that i’ll get pounded for inserting myself here, i have to take the opposing viewpoint. while i don’t think it’s particularly friendly of Alvarez to make this statement, and he is certainly not the final authority on what is permissible in a production at the met, he is entitled to his opinion. On the other hand, it’s rather sanctimonious the way La Cieca has become the self-appointed authority on professional conduct.
I am also swayed slightly by the fact that Alvarez is the only member of the cast that is fully viable in his role. Except maybe the Spoletta. Wait never mind. And the production does indeed (mostly) suck. So I excuse him from calling a spade a spade.
I don’t feel MA said anything all that unprofessional, in the interview–and he was diplomatic enough to offer praises to both Bondy and Gelb, in other regards.
I also don’t think he felt he had to be defensive, as he got generally very good reviews for his singing (having seen this production a number of times, with him in it..I’m less sold on that…lol…!
As for Cieca saying”…which, frankly, he is in the worst possible position to appreciate because he can’t see any of it as an audience member”..isn’t it possible that he HAS seen a video of it..?
Yes indeed arepo. La Cieca may have adored the production, but lots of people who paid to see it didn’t. And I would certainly tend to agree with Senor Alvarez, from what I have heard and read. I think his view, from the inside, was spot on in all probability and I admire his speaking out. He’s good enough to withstand any consequences. I doubt his frankness will damage his career. I predict he’ll be around long after this production has vanished.