The return of Glimmertrash
Given the choice, I’ll take Hans Neuenfels.
“Glimmerglass Opera has a notable record of performing Handel, but its productions have sometimes emphasised cuteness over emotional substance. Rather than improving the situation, Chas Rader-Shieber’s staging of Tolomeo, the first by a professional company in the US, sets a new low…. Rader-Shieber does nothing for Tolomeo except make it the butt of his jokes.” [Financial Times]
“…he preferred to drown the story-line in a never-ending barrage of visual gags, kitsch and cheap laughs. In the end, it was Rader-Shieber’s directing efforts that fell into the open sewer and died.” [CNY Cafe Momus]
Note that this is “F.B.” Michael MacLeod‘s last season at Glimmerglass; next year the reins pass into the hands of ”D., Y. K.” Francesca Zambello, whose offerings will include the quintessential Callas vehicle Medea, with erstwhile boo-magnet Alexandra Deshorties as the titular witch.
Bets--where’s my ice cream bowl?
I need it as consolation for the “death of an art form”.
What we once knew is now being trammeled to death, hence my interest in that backward glance at the world of Mawrdew. I parterriani of 2010 are maybe the nearest thing left of that bygone era. Perfidia had, on the Full McCourt link, an excellent observation.
Anyway, how’s ’bout going out for Chinese if gelato is not your bag?
Thanks for the twinge of morbidezza. Or maybe it was I who opened that particular door. But in case I never again have the chance to say it, better say it now — “Thank you.” Thank you to our enchanting and highly artificial doyenne for being enchanting and highly artificial — and kind. Thank you to all those who posted things that would spark some sort of urge in me to say things better left unsaid. Thank you to all those who hated my very essence but were gracious enough not to say so. Thank you to all those who were mildly amused and who were willing to leave it at that. Camille, honey, there’s nothing I’d like better than to go out for ice cream with all of you. But barring that, I’ll leave you with these words of wisdom, “This is Mrs. Norman Main.”
Bets--this post has a disturbing kind of ‘ave atque vale’ tone to it…are you quite all right, seriously?
Terribly afraid to admit that I know as much about who Mrs. Norman Main is as I did about Morales. The only thing I’ve ever known about Broadway is that it doesn’t go for booze and drugs, according to what that de-wigged lady said.
Please let us know you are okay--okay, Bets?
Does that mean you are Judy Garland now?
…or…Janet Gaynor??
..at least you’re not…MARJORIE MAIN…I hope…?
or even Barbra Streisand…
Lord, Madame Manou, don’t let Rufus Wainwright hear those words. He’s long-since claimed the patent on Judy.
No, not a bit. Odd, though, that taking the time to say “thank you” puts one at risk of being gastrically sentimental.
Here’s something that IS disturbing, though. There have been few or no postings from any of the San Francisco people since their group gathering. Are they in jail? Hospital? What?
It’s this weekend. Hasn’t happened yet. But unfortunately, I’m unable to lunch with them. Someone else will have to report back.
One would think the “Babs” would be a dead giveaway -- - -Gorgeous !
Czgowchwz, surely.
What happened to Deshorties. She was on her way to becoming a Levine favorite after a sublime Echo(?) in Rosenkavalier, a truly demented fabulous Elettra in Idomeneo and a wonderful Fiordiligi. The less said about her Konstanze the better, but what happened? Granted I haven’t heard her since those ill-fates Abduction performances.
I think singing Echo in ROSENKAVALIER, however sublimely, would rub a lot of the Music Staff the wrong way…
Meanwhile, someone from an outer borough mentioned Janet Gaynor, whose performance in SUNRISE is one of the marvels of the silent cinema:
http://tinyurl.com/yznppet
Hey Nerva, I’m disappointed you didn’t award a Red Vehicle of Courage to Marjorie Main who, with her lovely partner Spring Byington, ruled The Invisible Kingdom for decades.
…from an “outer borough”…???
….I resemble that remark…!…lol lol lol..!
AND..at least Betsy ain’t Mrs. Norman..BATES,,(I hope…)
Nerva -- it was her performance of whichever nymph it was in Rosenkavalier that put her on Levine’s radar. So aside from what sounds like some sub-par singing over the past few seasons what else beside rumors of her being a little koo-koo has percipitated this downward turn her her career? Is the voice that bad these days? Again, up until the Konstanzes she was kicking ass vocally IMHO.
NYCOQ, I suspect Nerva is saying that there are no nymphs in Rosenkavalier, although one of those orphans is no better than she ought to be. The nymphs are in Ariadne auf Naxos.
sorry -- ARIADNE AUF NAXOS. I am in the middle of emailing Japan, Australia AND Singapore right now, so my focus is a little scattered. BUT again, I come to Parterre for dirt. Why is she so reviled these days on this site? Of course the Opus3 website is only touting her upcoming performances. What did she do or who did she piss off at the Met?
Thank you Nerva and Betsy for giving me something laugh about right now. I am waaaay stressed and taking myself waaaay too seriously these days.