It almost seems too late to bother writing about this performance, but I
have thoughts and I like to share them; and I rarely let minor things like good
timing get in the way. So here goes.
Kaija Saariaho's L’Amour de Loin is an odd opera; difficult
to get “into;” almost an oratorio. But in preparation for the Met Live in HD cine-cast, I found an audio recording; and I took
some time with both the official Met podcast and the new He Sang, She
Sang offering from WQXR—both of which offer great insights into the
piece. I also caught some excerpts from the premiere performances in Salzburg
(?) as directed by Peter Sellars. I kind of wish he’d directed this one.
Once again, Robert Lepage focuses on his machinery at the expense
of his singers. I must concur with [another blogger, whose name I cannot
remember at the moment, but I will fill it in and add a link as soon as I can
figure out who it was]**, who wished that Mr. Lepage would let his singers
get down on the stage and move about. The lights were pretty and expressive,
but the machine was ungainly and drew odd attention to itself. Plus, the chorus
looked odd (and uncomfortable) popping up in between the rows of lights to
sing. I swear I heard people giggle (not sure if it was in the theater or in
the opera house) the first few times the heads of the chorus bobbed up from the
“sea.”
