Interlude – Mitridate: Lungi da te mio bene

The mature Mozart would have taken less time to say the same thing. However I never notice the length* of this gorgeous performance; I am just mesmerized by Miah Persson's voice and the beauty of the melodies.  I just watched the whole opera again on Sunday afternoon; I'll delve further into this strange but beautifully-sung production in a later post (or two).

Miah Persson sings "Lungi da te mio bene" 

From the M22 Mitridate - Salzburg 2006

*Actually, the last minute-plus of this clip is the ovation.                                           

Orphée et Eurydice: The Baroque Stylings of…Robert Wilson? (or Blue Orpheus)

OK, I admit it. On first viewing, I pretty much hated this production. I got the DVD because 1.) I will listen to anything John Eliot Gardiner and the Monteverdi Choir do*; 2.) I really like Magdalena Kožená; and 3.) I absolutely love this opera!

It’s so blue!  And so static!  And Orphée is so strange looking – androgynous. And what’s with the hair, and that robe?  Ironically, the copy on the DVD case says, “…Wilson makes the most of the opera’s balletic possibilities…” But, the word “mesmerizing,” is also used, and I think that is the key to enjoying this performance (that, and patience.) 

Sunday Extra – Luca Pisaroni (or: Pretty Little Picture)

Gratuitous Friday Sunday

I posted this clip on YouTube a few days ago to use in an upcoming Gratuitous Friday post; it has already been viewed 37 times. That doesn't count as viral but I was a bit surprised how many people found it already.

This Don Giovanni clip is from Jonathan's Kent's Glyndebourne 2010 production. It also stars Gerald Finley as DG and Kate Royal as DE, among others. It is set in the 1950's, and as you see in this clip, Leporello's "catalog" is a stack of photo albums. (I guess Giovanni gave him a Polaroid camera for Christmas.)

Luca Pisaroni as that lovable scamp Leporello.

A Tale of Two Ariadnes: Richard Strauß Preview

I am getting ready to review this DVD:

Emily Magee @ Zurich Opera 2005

In preparation, I decided to re-view this one first:

Jessye Norman @ the Met 1988

I figured it would be a good idea to revisit a "traditional" production (first seen at the Met in 1964) before re-watching, then writing about Claus Guth's version.   

I'll post my Ariadne review sometime in August. Next week I’ll be considering some Gluck and Mozart operas.

Ariadne mit dem Panther

Johann Heinrich von Dannecker (1758-1841)  

Gratuitous Friday – Malin Hartelius – Bach Cantata #78

OK, this isn't opera (and it's not really a real video) but it is marvelous music. Malin Hartelius is joined by countertenor Robin Tyson in this exquisite duet from Bach's cantata number 78, under the direction of Sir John Eliot Gardiner.

Happy Friday!