tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278536771700162580.post3396009876564920801..comments2023-04-30T07:36:58.835-04:00Comments on Sonic Labyrinth: Dessay struggles but draws us close. Review of Traviata from Met Live in HDJeffrey Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08877911938789999559noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278536771700162580.post-2696378426279434322012-04-16T17:48:23.986-04:002012-04-16T17:48:23.986-04:00The reason for the lack of critical commentary on ...The reason for the lack of critical commentary on the production itself is that it was first introduced in Salzburg in 2005 and has also been seen before at the Met.Jeffrey Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08877911938789999559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278536771700162580.post-29907315628644165962012-04-16T15:42:01.654-04:002012-04-16T15:42:01.654-04:00All was said about Violeta's underperformance,...All was said about Violeta's underperformance, but the productions for the most part was either approved and praised or ignored by the reviewers. In my humble - if you are NOT a genus, do not choose their works for your experimentations. THe production was simply put (and it does not deserve more than "simply put") --- SILLY. Especially masked gypsies and bullfight scene. Good that Verdi could not see that nonsense.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278536771700162580.post-5900402671923339562012-04-15T16:08:31.729-04:002012-04-15T16:08:31.729-04:00Agreed. Thanks for the comment thread!Agreed. Thanks for the comment thread!Jeffrey Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08877911938789999559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278536771700162580.post-79956904348985515452012-04-15T13:13:52.711-04:002012-04-15T13:13:52.711-04:00I have heard many of her recordings over the years...I have heard many of her recordings over the years, singing a variety of repertoire. I understand that she appeals to many people, but not to me. Regarding yesterday's performance, to which I listened closely: Vocal production issues aside, which as I understand were related to a cold, I found her difficult to listen to. Erratic rhythms throughout the performance, slip-shod ornamentation (she blurred right over the ornaments in "Ah, fors' e lui"), and the failure (over the years) to execute an authentic trill leave me wondering how she manages to thrill so many people. It was painful to listen to "Sempre libera." If her vocal distress were truly due to illness, she should have stepped aside. If that's how she sings when in a state of health, well... perhaps she should take a rest. <br /><br />It's all a matter of taste, anyway; some people love her, others do not. What matters is that opera is alive and well and has many passionate fans.<br /><br />I enjoy reading your blog (and your reviews).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278536771700162580.post-56996170661228670472012-04-15T11:05:53.395-04:002012-04-15T11:05:53.395-04:00Dear Annie,
An insightful observation. I agree.Dear Annie,<br /><br />An insightful observation. I agree.Jeffrey Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08877911938789999559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278536771700162580.post-70393095646237315112012-04-15T10:30:20.887-04:002012-04-15T10:30:20.887-04:00I give the understudy who had to go on for her on ...I give the understudy who had to go on for her on opening night high marks for bravery. I have danced Traviata in the traditional version and have an observation to make about this production.<br />I thought it creative and unusual and the pressure that Dessay must have been under to pull herself together for the live broadcast might have felt like the scene we encountered with all the men pursuing her ...adoring her ....pressuring her to do it - for the producton..do it for The MET...her contractual responsibility...her reputation..the rehersals must have been exhausting in emotional and physical requirements ...I salute her and I think dealing with all of that up onstage where they even made her interview with Voight deserves a "Brava"...and a "Brava" to the understudy that went on for her for the opening.annie gaybisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278536771700162580.post-60395096761669559642012-04-15T10:23:16.661-04:002012-04-15T10:23:16.661-04:00Dear Pamina,
I wonder if this performance will ev...Dear Pamina,<br /><br />I wonder if this performance will ever be released. Perhaps is should not be. In this age of overdocumentation the idea of toughing it out can end up with an entirely different meaning. I appreciate your thoughts!Jeffrey Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08877911938789999559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278536771700162580.post-91829380168431290842012-04-15T10:21:16.773-04:002012-04-15T10:21:16.773-04:00No, I think you are being too hard on her. I also ...No, I think you are being too hard on her. I also don't know for a fact that she was ill, but do know that she has been over the last couple of weeks. We need to get you some different recordings...Jeffrey Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08877911938789999559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278536771700162580.post-26104677663948650032012-04-15T09:20:59.883-04:002012-04-15T09:20:59.883-04:00I heard the performance on the radio --- I'm g...I heard the performance on the radio --- I'm glad to hear she was ill; by that, I mean, at least there is a reason for worse-than-usual singing from Ms. Dessay. But "extraordinary musicianship"? No. She is a mediocre musician who never seems quite to understand the actual music. She produces tones, but not music. I've never seen her in a live performance (I am not able to get out), so I cannot judge her stage presence, but her recordings... are boring.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278536771700162580.post-85375433057121307272012-04-14T23:09:06.848-04:002012-04-14T23:09:06.848-04:00Very funny first anonymous!
Second Anonymous: Gu...Very funny first anonymous! <br /><br />Second Anonymous: Gurus?? Hmmm. You are entitled to your opinion on the Decker production. But don't assume that others with open minds are lying.Jeffrey Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08877911938789999559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278536771700162580.post-49897564801318661772012-04-14T21:25:28.589-04:002012-04-14T21:25:28.589-04:00Great review! Unfortunately, I didn't see it, ...Great review! Unfortunately, I didn't see it, but I'll check it out if they upload it onto Met Player. Poor Natalie... it sounds like she really should have taken more time to get over her cold before stepping back into the role. But you have to admire her for doing it anyway. Since for months the Met has been hyping up "Natalie Dessay as Violetta," I'm sure she felt she couldn't let the public down. Kudos to her for that alone!Paminahttp://www.paminasopera.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278536771700162580.post-38787704575122309102012-04-14T21:09:33.387-04:002012-04-14T21:09:33.387-04:00This «simplistic» production is a shameful profana...This «simplistic» production is a shameful profanation of Verdi's masterpiece and in all due respect, I sincerely think that those who say they liked it are either lying for whatever reason, trying to please someone or unconditional believers in what they are told to believe by their gurus.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278536771700162580.post-14577476555517327762012-04-14T20:16:38.925-04:002012-04-14T20:16:38.925-04:00I prefer my Violettas to sound as though they'...I prefer my Violettas to sound as though they're pretending to be dying of consumption, not as though they actually might be.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com