Help me choose an opera..

Posted by: Joe Bibb on 19 January 2010

Each year I get a kind invitation to attend a production of my choice at Glyndebourne. This never usually presents a choice dilemma, but this time I find four options that I am not at all familiar with.

So a great chance to learn something new, the options are: The Rake's Progress, Macbeth, Hansel & Gretal or Billy Budd.

Anyone care to say which they would choose and why?

Joe
Posted on: 19 January 2010 by u5227470736789439
I would go for Hansel. Lovely in every way.

ATB from George
Posted on: 19 January 2010 by mikeeschman
Billy Budd has been a favorite for a long time. A great and famous story set to beautiful music. It's an all male cast, and some of the bass solos are terrific.

If it was me, I'd have to go for Billy Budd.
Posted on: 21 January 2010 by --duncan--
Of all the 2010 productions I would chose Cosi fan tutti, especially if Charles Mackerras was conducting, with Don Giovanni the second choice.

Of your selection I would choose Macbeth because I love Verdi and I thought the Richard Jones production was great (NOT traditional, although there is a lot of tartan and other Scottish stereotypes!).

The Witches



I like Hansel and Gretel too and would disagree with George's description somewhat. Like any good fairytale it is pretty brutal at times.

duncan
Posted on: 21 January 2010 by Todd A
The Rake's Progress for me, because I love the use of language.
Posted on: 21 January 2010 by mudwolf
for me it would be choice between Rake and Billy B
Posted on: 21 January 2010 by u5227470736789439
quote:
Originally posted by djc:
...

I like Hansel and Gretel too and would disagree with George's description somewhat. Like any good fairytale it is pretty brutal at times.

duncan


I was being paradoxical. It is a very dark story indeed, dressed in sweet music!

ATB from George
Posted on: 21 January 2010 by Joe Bibb
quote:
Originally posted by djc:
Of all the 2010 productions I would chose Cosi fan tutti, especially if Charles Mackerras was conducting,

duncan


Hi Duncan,

I thought the Cosi was I revival of the 2006 production, I saw it then.

Thanks for the recommendations so far.

Joe
Posted on: 21 January 2010 by Howlinhounddog
djc said:
quote:
Of your selection I would choose Macbeth because I love Verdi and I thought the Richard Jones production was great (NOT traditional, although there is a lot of tartan and other Scottish stereotypes!).

So what's not to like Big Grin
Posted on: 21 January 2010 by mudwolf
Honestly ANY of those at that festival would be fantastic, take in the whole festival and buy your benefactor a nice bottle of wine at a restaurant before so you can enjoy the effects of alcohol and fabulous entertainment on your brain. Just sit back and enjoy, life is too full of tension, have fun, have a great conversation.
Posted on: 23 January 2010 by FlyMe
I've secured tickets for Billy Budd, Don Giovanni and Cosi for this year's festival. I enjoyed the Macbeth production a lot (although the Royal Wood Shed on stage mystified me a bit). Hansel & G and Cosi are also great productions. Really it is hard to go wrong at Glyndebourne -I have seen the occasional production I thought "odd" (who remembers The Second Mrs Kong?) but a day at Glyndebourne is always a great musical event.