parterre box

23 comments

• tannengrin says:

  I love the concept. The ‘themed’ nights should somehow relate to the work in questions. Don Giovanni could be targeted to a “Guidos and Real Housewives” crowd.

  on November 2, 2009 at 11:38 AM
• pavel says:

  Maybe for Madame Butterfly they’ll have a singles night for rice queens.

  on November 2, 2009 at 11:58 AM
• Will says:

  Opera houses across the country–and internationally, I believe–have been doing these themed matchmaking nights for years. Why the snarky comments about NYCO now? I’m for anything that will help the company to survive.

  RE: Esther. The original reviews were extremely good. The music may not be in a style you like but it is apparently very good of its type. A city that has had excellent productions of Wozzeck, Lulu, Moses und Aron, et al for decades (capped two summers ago by the gigantic hit Die Soldaten that sold out and was greeted with universal praise) shouldn’t be dismissing Esther quite so glibly.

  RE: The gays and Esther. I know one gay gay who’ll be sitting in the first row of the Third Ring. I’m looking forward to it very, very much. Anyone want to meet during the intermission(s)? Hans?

  on November 2, 2009 at 12:00 PM
• operablogger says:

  …or a Vicars and Tarts night for “La Favorite” — if they ever decide to perform that opera, of course.

  on November 2, 2009 at 12:02 PM
• Dan Johnson says:

  It could be worse. It could be La Juive. Or Salome. Or Klinghoffer. Or Meistersinger. Or perhaps Mark Morris could stage the Johannes-Passion, that would also be more offensive than the present JEW-DATING NIGHT AT THE JEW OPERA strategy.

  Actually, now that I think of it, I would disproportionately inclined to go to bed with any Jewish boy I met at a performance of The Death of Klinghoffer (as long as he is not there to wave a sign), so scratch that one off the list.

  on November 2, 2009 at 12:15 PM
• Harry says:

  Perhaps this it is what is called ‘penetrating the Ring’ -in the 4th degree? Are condoms going to be issued with every ticket sold? This NYCO idea is rather ‘unfortunate’ and could lead to some very bad jokes. Any cultural event should seek at all times to be inclusive to all; not set up tones of exclusivity in any form.It is decisive.
  Just as irksome in theater, is special gala nights for only ‘special people’ that can afford the special entrance prices.

  on November 2, 2009 at 1:09 PM
• honorary virgin says:

  as a jew and an opera lover, i find nothing remarkable or offensive in nyco marketing to jewish singles an opera on a familiar heroine from jewish history and composed by a jew who deploys in it (to quote yesterday’s times) “his deep love and knowledge of the jewish liturgical traditions that were so firmly rooted in the fabric of his style.” it seems like simple common sense.

  on November 2, 2009 at 1:31 PM
• Graciella Scusi says:

  @10 Alto “What are your credentials for this callous dismissal?”

  I love your language, Alto, when you’re challenging someone’s facile dismissal of an artist’s integrity or worth (seriously). It invokes a picture of you taking off a glove and slapping it across their face, with an unspoken “you cad!” at the end of the sentence. Chivalry is not dead on Parterre Box.

  on November 2, 2009 at 2:18 PM
• wenarto says:

  Boo -- B did not hire me to sing Mahler 4 and use this kid? now I am singing Mahler 4 anything I want.
  

  on November 2, 2009 at 4:13 PM
• Alto says:

  “It invokes a picture of you taking off a glove and slapping it across their face …”

  Obviously my lumberjack act isn’t fooling YOU.

  on November 3, 2009 at 2:00 PM