Of maestro and men
A member of the cher public reminds La Cieca, “How soon do we start wondering who will conduct the new Rheingold at the Met? I thought I would see Jimmy at Tanglewood next week for the Mahler 2nd, but Mikey Twinkle-Toes will be in charge that evening.”
La Cieca’s answer: it’s never too soon to start wondering. And there’s only one way to learn the answer to this pressing question.
Well…
Maestro Keenan conducted a beautiful reading of Meistersinger last night. Gorgeous sonorities from the Cincinnati Symphony and a wonderfully paced reading. He’s got the Wagner chops and works closely with Levine.
BTW, those of you who decided not to show up for Meistersinger missed a thrilling performance. James Johnson inhabited the character of Hans Sachs and sang with dramatic range and power throughout the evening. I didn’t miss James Morris or Ms. Hong (Twyla Robinson sang a charming Eva; hers is a large voice with clear top and great expressiveness) or Sir Thomas. And Keenan had everyone in his court.
I’m glad to see that someone else from Parterre was there to enjoy that thrilling performance. In all of my years attending opera at Music Hall, I’ve never heard quite an ovation quite like the one that greeted James Johnson’s Sachs Saturday evening. It was truly a fantastic production, filled with nuance and excellent vocalism. Commendations must also be paid Hans-Joachim Ketelsen, who made the (typically) thankless part of Beckmesser a delight. His was rewarded with a thundering ovation of his own for his unique comic gifts. A great evening for the arts in Cincinnati!
Yes, Ketelson was wonderful. Also Norbert Ernst was a superb David–and singing the role in Bayreuth later this summer. The procession of the Meisters onto the stage sent the audience into raptures. As Hans Sachs walked by, the place erupted.
…and more Sachs appeal from Bryn Terfel and the WNO in Cardiff on Saturday. Appropriately also in the audience, the Prince of Wales.
Really? For me, Ketelsen goes for every shtick in the book while Allen plays it with much more nuance. But good for Johnson. An American who has had to make his career in Europe he had an unscheduled Met debut as Sachs when Morris wasn’t ready for his first attempt in the role.
I agree with both you and Koenig. Cincinnati Opera handled what could have been a PR nighmare with aplomb and grace, and showed the city that a Wagner opera is not something to fear. A friend on the opera Board said that she’s ready to tackle the ring now.
The performance on Saturday was spectacular, and I only wish I had the foresight to also go on Wednesday.
Noooooooo, no no no no no, stop her before it’s too late. Doesn’t she read the papers? Los Angeles Los Angeles Los Angeles UP IN FLAMES. Washington DC gasping on life support. Robert LePage soaring over NYC on his hideous black leathery wings. YOU DO NOT NEED A RING ! ! !
I should have said she was ready to SEE her first ring, not produce one. Don’t think Cincinnati (Opera or the city) has the stomach or wherewithall to do the Ring.
Oh.
Never mind.
I voted Levine because I sooo want to see him recover and come back to kick some Wagnerian Arsch! Any little vibes to the universe on his behalf couldn’t hurt, right?!
I have heard tell (I think it was here actually) that they’ve got Runnicles on call if Levine gos out.
Runnicle would be an asset, I’d think. He’s conducting a kick-ass Walkure in SF this month.
I think if you asked the orchestra it would be Runnicles. I was at the sole Walkure he conducted (the year when Maazel returned; Runnicles conducted the last performance) and to a (wo)man, the orchestra remained in the pit and gave him a standing ovation when he took his curtain call. Very rarely have I seen the orchestra stay at their places when it’s not contractually called for.
I don’t know who will conduct Rheingold, and probably the Met does
not either. But I know who should prepare and conduct it: Donald
Runnicles. I have for years and years heard him conduct Wagner
in San Francisco of such high quality that any opera house in the
world should be proud to own it. Runnicles is, to my mind, the best
all around Wagner conductor extant — not the only good one, for
there are several, but his average is very high indeed and I would
take his Ring, Parsifal and Tristan over the Turtle with the Hair (JL)
any old day!
I always thought he was Albert Brooks’ twin brother.
I’m glad to hear Runnicles has improved to gain such praise. I heard him conduct a very sub-par Tannhauser at Bayreuth in 1995, although part of the malaise could have been Wolfgang Wagner’s totally empty production.
we should end our dependence on human frailty!
Pity old “Reggie” can’t pop over to lend a hand. He and Norman del Mar formed a class apart.
. . . proving once and for all that you don’t have to be alive to conduct Wagner.
Am I the only one who thinks Levine conducts Wagner at a snail’s pace? I’d happily have almost anyone else.
Nero, you obviously missed the mess Kazushi Ono made of FLYING DUTCHMAN this year.
I did miss it. Wasn’t in town those weeks. What specifically about the conducting was so deplorable?
Exactly!