Claus Guth (not pictured) finally arrives in New York next month bringing Jonas Kaufmann (not pictured) with him for the world premiere of Doppelganger.

This pricey Park Avenue Armory show (top price: $259!) offers Schubert’s Schwanengesang plus other serious distractions to fill its 90-minute running time.

Guth presumably had more fun this summer producing an all-singing, all-dancing Semele, a production destined for the Met in 2024-25. The premiere was only broadcast on the radio, but a sneaky video pirate captured a dazzling Michael Spyres (what can’t this man do?) attempting to distract a needy Brenda Rae. Word is that co-star Jakub Józef Orlinski shows off his break-dancing skills (and slightly more effortful coloratura) as Athamas.

I can’t say it’s precisely my idea of Handel, but I’ve watched this clip at least a half dozen times!

 

Christopher Corwin

Christopher Corwin began writing for parterre box in 2011 under the pen name “DeCaffarrelli.” His work has also appeared in , The New York Times, Musical America, The Observer, San Francisco Classical Voice and BAMNotes. Like many, he came to opera via the Saturday Met Opera broadcasts which he began listening to at age 11. His particular enthusiasm is 17th and 18th century opera. Since 2015 he has curated the weekly podcast Trove Thursday on parterre box presenting live recordings.

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