Comments on: Physical culture

romani commented

romani — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:41:45 +0000

I was an admirer of the Zef for many years; it’s sad to see what his career has deteriorated into.
But the worst of all is the news that the Arena di Verona will install microphones. Apparently, entirely at the Zef’s insistence.
Granted, the Arena was never the place to witness a subltle performance, but all of the arguments made to justify amplification outdoors will eventually be made to justify amplification indoors, as well.

javier commented

javier — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 06:02:07 +0000

perfect example.

mrmyster commented

mrmyster — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 05:03:23 +0000

Don’t you mean ‘twit?’
I think so too.

Daniel commented

Daniel — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 03:56:19 +0000

You’re quite a boring twat, aren’t you?

Camille commented

Camille — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 20:25:10 +0000

La Diva Carla is still dancing???

Oh dear. I truly hope it is not too embarrassing to witness. After witnessing her Black Swan @ Scala in spring ‘86, I have never seen a ballerina to equal her. Never forget the milanesi yelling ‘Carla, Carla’ for her at the end. Utterly Stendhal!!!

Thank you very much for your information regarding the choreography as I was, indeed, most curious as to how it was reconstructed. I felt privileged to have had the opportunity to see a recreation done on such a level.

May I also ask this, Sigr. Willym, did you see the ‘Amica’ of Mascagni, which I just narrowly missed. Another rarity. I was wondering if it were a success. R.S.V.P.

Buona Domenica!

willym commented

willym — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:58:22 +0000

Ciao Camille
That is one of the good things about having Carla Fracci as director of the ballet company – she has revived some wonderful 19th century works. There is a downside in that she still insists on dancing but let’s not visit that question.

Yes I saw the Somnambule – it was a lovely performance. Well danced and designed with a real flavour of period ballet. I had a conversation with the choreographer Luciano Cannito afterward and he was telling me he had very little to go on for the reconstruction. He decided to create his choreography within a Bourneville style and it really did work. We were lucky to have an example of the Danish style when Thomas Lund was here last month for a revival of La Sylphide.

And this past season Dr. Ernani’s last – was an interesting if uneven one. It is a shame that things have come to this.

Camille commented

Camille — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 04:58:03 +0000

Caro Mr Willym

What can you expect when the primary occupation of Romans is, to paraphrase Fran Liebowitz, “going to lunch”??
When I was a resident romana there was no sovrintendente at Teatro all’Opera for the entire time I was there, nearly three years.

Last year, about this time, I was visiting and had the grand pleasure of seeing “La Sonnambule” — did you see it as well? It would be nice to hear your thoughts on this loving recreation.

Grazie tanto e Buon Pranzo!!!

Harry commented

Harry — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 00:39:55 +0000

Perhaps Zefferelli’s last direction is probably going to be called a production of Tea with Berlusconi.
As for when he offered his services to the Vatican, he would have been completely in his element. All those super epic big St Peters Square shows, are the finest displays of ‘cast of thousands’ Grand Opera imaginable anywhere. They just did not happen to offer the job to Cecil B de Mille when he was alive.

Ercole Farnese commented

Ercole Farnese — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 23:38:32 +0000

Zeffirelli used to be a Senator of the Italian Republic, elected with Berlusconi’s party Forza Italia. He doesn’t hold any official position right now, but he is extremely well connected with both the Vatican and Berlusconi. Berlusconi owns the villa on the Appia Antica where Zeffirelli lives. Zeffirelli has been renting that grandiose villa for over 30 years; however a few years ago the owners of the villa declared bankruptcy and had to sell it. Berlusconi bought it and allowed Zeffirelli to live there as long as he is alive, without paying any rent. Also, a few years ago, he offered his services as an image consultant to the Pope, thinking that the Pontiff wasn’t doing a great job promoting himself. The Pope politely declined. Zeffirelli declares himself to be profoundly Christian and vehemently opposes same-sex civil unions.

kashania commented

kashania — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 21:07:04 +0000

Dementia is a terrible thing.

mrmyster commented

mrmyster — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 20:56:48 +0000

Mert – Isn’t being a has-been old queen sufficient
reason? I always thought so!

La marquise de Merteuil commented

La marquise de Merteuil — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 20:47:17 +0000

I wonder what is the real source behind all of the big Zef’s bitterness? I bet there’s a really juicy big old reason …

Nonetheless, in all of this he is making a big a-hole of himself.

Lindoro Almaviva commented

Lindoro Almaviva — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 18:48:00 +0000

to quote Will:
self-appointed arbiter of opera production world-wide

Big whinny bitch also seems to apply.

Lindoro Almaviva commented

Lindoro Almaviva — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 18:46:47 +0000

Then, why not have Fillanotti sing Violetta and Stewart Neil sing Alfredo? Maybe that will please la Zeffa.

La Cieca commented

La Cieca — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 18:13:27 +0000

Particularly the “woman” quality…

CruzSF commented

CruzSF — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 18:12:43 +0000

Does old Zeff still have an official position anywhere? Just what is his title?

Ercole Farnese commented

Ercole Farnese — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 18:08:41 +0000

The editorial of that blog operaclick says that according to Zeffirelli Ms Dessì is not “esangue e emaciata” (exsanguine and emaciated) and enough for his view of Violetta. Ms. Dessì is a beautiful voluptuous busty woman and I guess Zeffirelli did not appreciate these qualities.

squirrel commented

squirrel — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 17:55:33 +0000

Has anyone dug up the reasons why Zeff would diss the Dessi? That Italian blog says nothing except that she doesn’t fit his idea of the Physique du Role. Does he want a blonde? And why does this old fart still have a pulpit for such whining?

mrmyster commented

mrmyster — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 17:22:13 +0000

I adored Valerie Masterson – what a treat she was; one of the great Gilbert and Sullivan sopranos of all time!

Cassandra commented

Cassandra — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 16:32:00 +0000

Let’s not forget that Berlusconi’s protective circle is getting smaller by the second, and he’s going to most likely end up in prison for quite some time.