View Full Version : The Enchanted Island (Metropolitan Opera)
kernelbogey
05-12-11, 17:32
HD transmission to cinemas on 21 January 2012 - and I would assume live on R3 the same evening.
In one extraordinary new work, lovers of Baroque opera have it all: the world’s best singers, glorious music of the Baroque masters, and a story drawn from Shakespeare. In The Enchanted Island, the lovers from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream are shipwrecked on his other-worldly island of The Tempest. Inspired by the musical pastiches and masques of the 18th century, the work showcases arias and ensembles by Handel, Vivaldi, Rameau, and others, and a new libretto by Jeremy Sams. Eminent conductor William Christie leads an all-star cast with David Daniels (Prospero) and Joyce DiDonato (Sycorax) as the formidable foes, Plácido Domingo as Neptune, Danielle de Niese as Ariel, and Luca Pisaroni as Caliban. Lisette Oropesa and Anthony Roth Costanzo play Miranda and Ferdinand. The dazzling production is directed and designed by Phelim McDermott and Julian Crouch (Satyagraha and the Met’s 125 anniversary gala).
Having heard Peter Gelb talking about this in the first interval of Rodelinda on Saturday, I decided to book to see this at a local cinema. I think it could be quite a treat.
http://www.metoperafamily.org/opera/the-enchanted-island-tickets.aspx
Chris Newman
05-12-11, 21:51
I hope it is on Radio 3. My nearest cinema is 23 miles away by rail and then there is a three mile rush (taxi?) from the cinema to the station at the end. It sounds rather fun. I cannot imagine William Christie getting involved with a turkey.
kernelbogey
09-01-12, 09:27
A reminder that this is coming up on Radio Three as well as in HD in cinemas. From the 'Round Table' discussion during last Saturday's Met broadcast, this sounds like a treat.
Old Grumpy
09-01-12, 22:22
21 JAN AT 6PM THE ENCHANTED ISLAND - HANDEL AND OTHERS (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006tnpy)
David Daniels (Prosepero), Joyce DiDonato (Sycorax) and Plácido Domingo (Neptune) with the New York Metropolitan Opera orchestra and chorus, William Christie conducts
Flosshilde
09-01-12, 22:40
& the week before there's Castor et Pollux from ENO. I think (but can't be sure, given my memory :laugh:) that it was well received musically but not dramatically. Two weekends in a row of Baroque treats!
bluestateprommer
11-01-12, 03:07
From the NYT, a preview article on The Enchanted Island:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/25/arts/music/the-enchanted-island-a-baroque-mash-up-at-the-met.html
The NYT review of the production:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/02/arts/music/the-enchanted-island-at-the-metropolitan-opera-review.html
Unfortunately, a schedule conflict will prevent me from seeing this in the cinema. I wasn't sure about it some time back, but it sounds more intriguing now. Maybe I'll catch the encore, or just wait for it to show up on PBS sometime way down the line.
The NYT review of the production:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/02/arts/music/the-enchanted-island-at-the-metropolitan-opera-review.html
"Caliban looked menacing yet endearing in an exotic costume" ... :whistle:
Thanks for the reference to the review and other links. I've been intrigued by this since the Music Matters item about it, and it's one I shall be tuning in for / recording. Not usually a fan of the Met broadcasts but this could be an exception.
I've always wanted to see a Handel or Rameau opera with authentic staging rather than World War I &c. &c., and the look of this is what I've been after, it seems. Toying with the idea of going to the local to see it live or one of the encore performances...
kernelbogey
11-01-12, 08:45
one of the encore performances...
Caliban - what are the encore performances? BBC seems not to repeat the Met broadcasts on iPlayer, presumably for contract reasons.
kernelbogey
11-01-12, 11:41
An article by Jeremy Sams, and eleven stills of the production in today's Guardian:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/jan/10/enchanted-island-met-opera-baroque
Old Grumpy
11-01-12, 20:36
Nice images - I won't be able to get to a cinema, but did wonder if there is likely to be a DVD in the offing.
OG
Chris Newman
11-01-12, 20:58
Caliban - what are the encore performances? BBC seems not to repeat the Met broadcasts on iPlayer, presumably for contract reasons.
The Met are keeping total control of their products. If a cinema shows ROH, Glyndebourne, BPO productions it is refused Met ones. I would not be surprised if the megalomaniac Peter Gelb starts treating broadcasters the same.
Old Grumpy
11-01-12, 21:27
The Met are keeping total control of their products. If a cinema shows ROH, Glyndebourne, BPO productions it is refused Met ones. I would not be surprised if the megalomaniac Peter Gelb starts treating broadcasters the same.
How pathetic - but I guess that's business for you!
kernelbogey
11-01-12, 21:38
The Met are keeping total control of their products. If a cinema shows ROH, Glyndebourne, BPO productions it is refused Met ones. I would not be surprised if the megalomaniac Peter Gelb starts treating broadcasters the same.
Chris, this can't be true. The Picture House chain is showing both Met and ROH transmissions.
Caliban - what are the encore performances?
http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Gate_Picturehouse/Whats_On/Seasons_Festivals/The_Metropolitan_Opera/
At my local, there were 4 encore performances through the subsequent 10 days after the live relay. only one encore showing now... Selling out fast I guess :erm:
Chris Newman
12-01-12, 15:38
Chris, this can't be true. The Picture House chain is showing both Met and ROH transmissions.
I heard it first when I queried why the Met screenings had dried up in the Odeons in our vicinity. Then I read this (5th paragraph):
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/dec/08/opera-big-screen-peter-gelb
On Opera on 3 tonight
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b019lzn1
Chris Newman
21-01-12, 21:52
I have much enjoyed the broadcast on R3 tonight. I was pleased that Jeremy Sams avoided the temptation to write a slapstick farce and instead wrote a storyline that could well have come from the days when such pastiches were all the vogue. Some lines sounded modern, some Drydenesque and most were "adapted" Shakespeare. I though all the cast aquitted themselves with honours. It was nice to hear Placido thoroughly enjoying himself on his 71st Birthday, even though I can only assume he was singing in English:laugh:. His accent is unique and lovely.
I was much impressed by the Ferdinand, sung by Anthony Roth Constanzo (countertenor), a new voice to me. He has covered the previous performances for David Daniels as Prospero. David Daniels was recovered from his cold tonight, not as free in coloratura as usual. Roth Constanzo is a real haut contre tenor, very masculine and clarion clear. A wonderful discovery. Both the mezzos were stunning, the Sycorax of Joyce DiDonato and Hermia of Elizabeth DeShong, taking no prisoners. (mezzo-soprano). Danielle de Niese as Ariel scattered us with fireworks. If the Caliban of Luca Pisaroni was not as sweet toned as usual we can forgive him because he gave the role plenty of snarling character. William Christie kept the performers light and gave the accompaniment a swing. The Met Chorus did not sound as matronly as usual.
I agree with you Chris. The performance was brilliant and I too was very impressed by Anthony Roth Constanzo (countertenor). Only I wasn’t sure if I liked Handel and Vivaldi plus odd Rameau or two all thrown in together. Yes, I know that that was meant to be the whole point…Still, it must be an enormous fun to see it and I wish I could see it.
Chris Newman
21-01-12, 22:31
Hi doversoul,
Constanzo really has an amazing voice. In the big Met auditorium he put quite a bit of metal into the voice: I rather regretted that David Daniels's cold was better (that must sound very selfish, but the new boy is good). On this page of his website there are three songs, two Handel and one Britten: click on the individual songtitles and they will come up to play.
http://www.anthonyrothcostanzo.com/index1.html
His voice sounds much more countertenorish used more softly but so rich and smooth.
Reading some reviews I see he has a huge voice and has already sung songs as big Mahler's Ruckert Lieder. One reviewer thinks he could be the first countertenor to sing Das Lied von der Erde.
I hope he waits a few years and uses his voice carefully.
Glad you enjoyed the pastiche. Like you I did find there were musical gear changes but no worse the in The Beggar's Opera.
Best wishes
Chris.
kernelbogey
21-01-12, 22:45
I agree with Chris's review of the music and singing. I'm just back from seeing it in the cinema. A visual feast, with quite a bit of amusing business, and a stunning coup de theatre for the end of Act I - Neptune's court underwater, complete with four mermaids flying/swimming above! I thought the orchestra was terrific. And I seem to have fallen in love with Danielle de Niese :whistle:.
Old Grumpy
21-01-12, 23:13
I agree with Chris's review of the music and singing. I'm just back from seeing it in the cinema. A visual feast, with quite a bit of amusing business, and a stunning coup de theatre for the end of Act I - Neptune's court underwater, complete with four mermaids flying/swimming above! I thought the orchestra was terrific.
Yes, I saw it too and agree with all of the above. A great spectacle and well presented. Much enjoyed.
OG
Does no one else have a hankering to hear the original works rather than this melange?
ferneyhoughgeliebte
22-01-12, 12:36
Does no one else have a hankering to hear the original works rather than this melange?
<raisedhandemoticon>
... still; glad others enjoyed it!
Does no one else have a hankering to hear the original works rather than this melange?
See #18 (if that's what you mean :smiley:)
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