tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248503935075362425.post8391586056072326715..comments2024-03-26T07:58:59.761+00:00Comments on I'll think of something later: Why we need The Arts DeskDavidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14506881804082382739noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248503935075362425.post-71727267019832757942011-01-08T15:03:24.242+00:002011-01-08T15:03:24.242+00:00No, we're still stuck with the tired old Richa...No, we're still stuck with the tired old Richard Eyre production. I did see the Decker production on DVD with Villazon singing his heart out and Trebs very good indeed until Act Three. Pops underwhelmed in Don Carlo here, but had her moments in Boccanegra which suggested that she could yet pull it all together, and it sounds as if she might have done (but surely she can't do the coloratura any more than AN?) Lovely hair, anyway.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14506881804082382739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248503935075362425.post-571899553358925682011-01-08T14:56:29.896+00:002011-01-08T14:56:29.896+00:00Yes -- different cultures, different mind-set. He...Yes -- different cultures, different mind-set. Here the "high arts" are said to smell of elitism. Anything that involves correct grammar and music by actual composers is considered highly suspect.<br /><br />By the way, I am still stunned by Marina Poplavskaya's Violetta last night in the Decker production at the MET. I believe you have had this already at the RHO?Willhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14279473113628377106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248503935075362425.post-4572622139397935772011-01-08T14:41:08.639+00:002011-01-08T14:41:08.639+00:00Interesting report, Will. Here, while we await the...Interesting report, Will. Here, while we await the worst from our own compromised coalition government, the scene on all fronts has in fact never been healthier, unless I'm living in a fool's paradise.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14506881804082382739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248503935075362425.post-26293862286756290412011-01-08T14:28:26.553+00:002011-01-08T14:28:26.553+00:00The NY Times was in severe free-fall for a while a...The NY Times was in severe free-fall for a while as far as (real) arts coverage is concerned but has managed to stabilize in the last couple of years. <br /><br />Particularly when it comes to opera, there will be one or more analysis/interview pieces before and/or after an important new production of revival. There is a main critic (Anthony Tommasini) and at least two second stringers. Mr. T is held in low repute by some who feel he tends to gloss over less than stellar performances, and massage the MET's managership, but have noted that some of his detractors nurture very set agendas and will unlikely ever be satisfied. <br /><br />Our situation with "classical" music and opera on radio is dire at the moment. In the greater Boston area it did radically improve recently when our great WCRB, which had been dumbed-down to the level of elevator music, was acquired by the local Public Broadcasting station: vocal music returned and the (extensive) list of "forbidden" composers was dumped.<br /><br />The situation worsens in direct proportion to the elimination of art and music classes in our schools. Our newly resurgent Republican control of things in Washington DC will soon be dismantling even more of whatever pathetic funding for the arts remains. It is a sad time.Willhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14279473113628377106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248503935075362425.post-8978063329609940682011-01-06T10:01:47.308+00:002011-01-06T10:01:47.308+00:00Yep. Arts Desk now the only essential reading for ...Yep. Arts Desk now the only essential reading for news and views.Roger Neillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16716925882482994792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248503935075362425.post-25050766112310414982011-01-05T14:49:22.321+00:002011-01-05T14:49:22.321+00:00If they get another shot at it, Will, they might d...If they get another shot at it, Will, they might do better - not enough rehearsal time, I fear, which isn't good enough when top tickets were £30 a throw for two halves of half an hour each. Mind you, the groundlings' perfectly respectable £5 would have made it passable.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14506881804082382739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248503935075362425.post-53928598415803019272011-01-05T14:44:21.847+00:002011-01-05T14:44:21.847+00:00Here I was wishing I could partake of the Gabrieli...Here I was wishing I could partake of the Gabrieli's punch bowl and now finding that maybe it was missing a dash of nutmeg or a pinch of orange zest. Too bad it did sound so promising.Willymhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03652532356102638621noreply@blogger.com