Need a little Joie de Vivre this weekend ?
Well, here’s a scorefull -
complete with White Shirt, fabulous boots and bonus rose ….
The irrepressible, irresistible Sarah Connolly as Octavian
REVIEW of THIS 2012 production from Mark Ronan’s Theatre Reviews
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English National Opera is reviving it’s 2008 David McVicar production of Der Rosenkavalier for seven performances between January 28th and February 27th 2012 Bookings
Sarah Connolly – ‘one of the glorious Octavians of our time’ (Observer) – returns as the ardent young ‘Knight of the Rose’, with Sophie Bevan as the innocent Sophie. Amanda Roocroft makes her role debut as the Marschallin, the worldly ‘older woman’ who graciously cedes her teenage lover to a younger rival. Also returning from the 2008 cast are Sir John Tomlinson as Baron Ochs and Andrew Shore as Faninal.
Can there be a down side? … Yes. It’s in English!
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Review from The Guardian of the 2008 production
and from Musical Criticism.com
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Sarah Connolly with Janice Watson as the Marschellin
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HAVE A WONDERFUL WHITE SHIRT WEEKEND!
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it’s in english? that just ain’t right.
Absolutely. It is policy for ENO but it puts me off much of what they do. I won’t be going.
What the first commenter said. The idea of Der Rosenkavalier in English is weird – why does ENO do this? Is it just accessibility for the audience?
That said, I have on my table at home a recording of Ariadne auf Naxos in English which I intend to listen to, and I am willing (in theory) to be brought around to the idea of Strauss in English, but my first impulse is still a No.
“ENO sustains its core values by direct communication in English, the language it shares with its audiences” – part of the mission statement of this company, and yes, it would appear to be an accessibility issue. They have a strong outreach ethic and education programme as do English Touring Opera. I saw their Clemenza di Tito last year and really struggled. So I agree – a definite Nono and I won’t be making the effort to attend.
Well, ok, ENO, but part of what Strauss communicates is through his text, for goodness sakes! I understand such a tiny bit of German but the beauty of the language meets the music. Which is the whole point of opera, no? Ah, well…
Well said that woman! …… Ah well, indeed.
P.S. Having said that, I have a sneaking suspicion that if Frau Kasarova was singing Octavian I would be there (possibly several times) – even if she sang in Swahili
last summer i took a friend to a free performance of clips from “il barbiere di sivgilia” and was quite shocked when the singing started in english! took my brain a while to adjust but i guess in the end Rossini + english sort of worked for my brain. i also thought it wasn’t a bad idea given that my friend could understand. Anyhow, i might entertain Der R in english given that some of the German signing wasn’t quite german back in San Diego… i might pass out though if they’re performing Clemenza di Tito in english… how does “Parto” start??? will have to check, there’s a performance coming in boston…
Remember my English Clemenza?
And there’s another to enjoy on Thursday, that is if you are not travelling. May be on iPlayer though.
yes yes, i remembered, though wasn’t sure if you quoted what you heard for “Parto”. now that you’ve provided the link… how was “Parto” started?
Do you know ….. I can’t remember! I will dig out the programme and see if it jogs my memory at all. I suspect that I may have just blocked out the lyrics and just concentrated on the music and drama.
Is your Boston one in English too?
What a shame. With that cast I should think you will be missing a good performance.
Welcome, Mary!
I really cannot get my head around this opera in English. I agree it is a wonderful cast but ….. there you go! My loss I guess.