The Metropolitan Opera, Live in PG-13
Condescending to opera lovers across America — and cheating both Bartlett Sher and Squirrel out of the simple joys of partial nudity — the Met has decided to censor the December 19th High Def broadcast of Les Contes d’Hoffmann!
It should be noted that the poitrines in question are already censored — with tasteful little pasties, yet — and so it’s not even whole boobs we’re talking about.
Apparently concerned that this production might be too stimulating to some viewers in the development of their appreciation of the art form, the House of Gelb will, presumably, pan away from the chestical areas of the supernumeraries and dancers in Acts One and Act Three, training cameras instead on— what?— Joseph Calleja‘s drooling, stupefied stare?
The dancers with the pasties are the most interesting staging concept during the Giuletta/Nicklausse duet. I liked the choreography. It and they really brought out a gracefully macabre undercurrent in the scene.
“condescending to opera lovers across America” – OMG, who do they think is going to these HD broadcasts? On the other hand, if people are offended by Michelle Obama’s arms, I am not surprised.
“OMG, who do they think is going to these HD broadcasts”?
By the audiences I’ve seen, mainly middle-aged and elderly women…exactly the people who would, demographically, be likely to be offended by the bewbs.
being middle aged and womanly, I am not the least bit offended.
I wonder if there was any pressure from the movie theaters and the nudity. Would there have had to have been a “rating” if the nudity was shown that would have taken the opera out of the “family viewing” realm? The opera house doesn’t have to worry about ratings within their own theater–but when broadcasting around the country and world, perhaps other governing authorities have input. I don’t know if this is the case but I wonder….
Actually, this makes for brilliant publicity. The censored mammaries make a wonderful news story, which will get more mileage than any paid advertising.
“I dreamt I sang a solo at the Metropolitan Opera in my *Maidenform* bra.”
I hate it when you are right, Alto
It is not Alto or Squirrel, but Gelb, who is the fucking genius in this little caper. He thinks up shit like this like Homer thinks of having a donut.
You have GOT to be joking, Squirrel!
I see nothing wrong with these.
Ah, but they are Cornish!
Maybe they should get their puppies out on stage instead,
Ladies and Gentlemen this is your half hour call, half hour to curtain. Ladies of the Chorus don’t forget your pasties, supers mind your hardons and dancers keep your hands to yourself tonight.
“Drooling, stupified stare”… mwahaha.
speaking of drooling, stupified stares, how about an operatic version of “Short Bus”?
DON’T watch this:
I’m not surprised. Salome redux. Mattila’s nude scene was cleverly altrered at the HD telecast. Who cares, anyway. If you go to the opera to see nudity, you waste your money and time. With a fraction of the ticket money, you can rent a porn DVD to see the real thing!
How crude! I for one am shocked.