Nixon in China. Orth in Portland.

I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I had been to the Stars of Così concert where, among others, Robert Orth had performed. What I did not tell you was that on that very day I had purchased a copy of the new, concert version of Nixon in China, starring Bob Orth and Tracy Dahl, both of whom appeared in Portland Opera's production a few seasons ago, and both of whom will be reprising their roles in the upcoming Vancouver Opera production. I asked Bob to sign the insert to the CD package and that is what you can see right here. "To Operaman!" Incidentally, while on the subject of Vancouver Opera's production I should mention that they have just begun an excellent on-line study guide for Nixon in China which will last for a total of four weeks. It is free of course. I have signed up for a couple of reasons: I think I would like to learn more about this opera which, while I enjoyed it when I saw it here, I believe would improve with a more detailed understanding. Also, I just love Vancouver Opera! Their web-site and all of their communications and community stuff (Twitter, etc.) is first class. And who can resist their manga strips? I'll be reviewing the album and the study guide within the next week or two.

Super Bowl XLIV

Great game and I was delighted that the Saints won. But the half-time show? -Lame! It was The Who and for someone of my age and provenance they are something of a rock and roll touchstone. So why wasn't I moved? After many years of what I thought were totally mediocre half-time shows, Bruce Springsteen last year brought a degree of respectability back to the art form. This year I was back to yawning. What did you think? Thank goodness for the eTrade Baby commercials!

Così fan tutte

I went to the final dress rehearsal on last Wednesday evening and opening night on Friday and, you know what? I think I am a convert to this opera. I do not know the piece really well but on watching it on previous occasions I always let the weirdness of the plot and the strange change of pace that takes place in Act 2 become somewhat off-putting. Finally, this was a production that allowed me to live with all the silliness of the plot, while being moved at the extraordinary music and able to appreciate Lorenzo da Ponte's skill in providing a libretto that would inspire Mozart to such heights. I shall attend performances on both Thursday and Saturday evenings, and I expect after those I shall be a true fan.

Metropolitan Opera Simone Boccanegra

After way too little sleep, following opening night and the party that followed, I was at the Regal movie house bright and early for the HD transmission. My main interest in this production was not the music or the production but the fact that after a life time of wishing to do this, Plácido Domingo was to play the name role - one Verdi wrote for a baritone. Like many people I had my doubts that Placidone could get away with this. Could he make himself sound like a Verdi baritone? (answer: nope). Would we be able to forget that he is one of the major tenors of the last 40 years? (again, nope). The problem with this is that while he has a distinctive voice as a tenor, there was something rather generic about the sound he makes as a baritone. Okay, so be it. Now here's the strange part: it didn't matter one jot. He owned the role start to finish. While he was on stage, at any time did we believe he was really a baritone? No, we didn't. But we absolutely believed he was Simone Boccanegra and that was what made us believe and moved us. We felt for him, whether he was being the retired pirate, the statesman Doge, the wily politician, the grieving lover or the doting father. I think Verdi would have loved him! If you missed Saturday's performance I would encourage you to go see the encore performance on February 24th.

Anyone for karaoke?

I thought that the booing at opera houses around the world may be getting a bit out of hand but then I read this article in the New York Times. Apparently, giving an out-of-tune rendition of Frank Sinatra's My Way can get you killed. And messin' with John Denver's Take Me Home Country Roads could get you AND your family wiped out (insert your own joke here). How do you feel about having a belly-full of beer and serenading your friends now?

Have a happy and constructive week and check back here for my mid-week offering, okay?

Next week's Operaman's Blog will appear on Tuesday as Portland Opera will be closed on Monday, it being Presidents' day.