Live from the MET series, Phoenix Picturehouse (27/10/12)
So I thought I'd knock the culture factor up a notch and go and see an opera.
The Phoenix Picturehouse in Oxford are one of the many cinemas around the world that are taking part in the New York Metropolitan Opera's live in HD project. This project involves the Met broadcasting one of their performances live to cinemas around the world to spread the enjoyment of opera.
So yes I didn't get to dress up and go to the opera in person but I did get to watch it live from a comfy cinema seat at a fraction of the price (especially when you take into account how much the ticket to New York would cost!).
So my chosen opera was Otello, Verdi's operatic retelling of Shakespeare's infamous story of revenge and jealousy. In preparation for the show I decided to read the play at home first so I would know the basic story. This was a good idea in hindsight as, although it was subtitled, the opera was in Italian. Because I knew the basic story I didn't have to religiously study the subtitles to understand what was going on and could turn my attention to the singers.
And what singers they were. I am infamously not musical but even I could appreciate that they were incredible singers. The three central characters Otello, played by Johan Botha, Desdemona, Renee Fleming, and Iago, Falk
The Phoenix Picturehouse in Oxford are one of the many cinemas around the world that are taking part in the New York Metropolitan Opera's live in HD project. This project involves the Met broadcasting one of their performances live to cinemas around the world to spread the enjoyment of opera.
So yes I didn't get to dress up and go to the opera in person but I did get to watch it live from a comfy cinema seat at a fraction of the price (especially when you take into account how much the ticket to New York would cost!).
So my chosen opera was Otello, Verdi's operatic retelling of Shakespeare's infamous story of revenge and jealousy. In preparation for the show I decided to read the play at home first so I would know the basic story. This was a good idea in hindsight as, although it was subtitled, the opera was in Italian. Because I knew the basic story I didn't have to religiously study the subtitles to understand what was going on and could turn my attention to the singers.
And what singers they were. I am infamously not musical but even I could appreciate that they were incredible singers. The three central characters Otello, played by Johan Botha, Desdemona, Renee Fleming, and Iago, Falk
Struckmann, were amazing considering they each had a solo that was about 20 minutes long. I felt out of breath just watching them.
But because of the cameras recording the performance for us cinema goers, which offer a close up not available to the flesh and blood audience, it wasn't just about singing but about acting as well. With this in mind Iago was definitely the star of the show for me as he managed to ooze evil and cunning. Otello on the other hand, while a great singer, seemed to express all his emotions through his crazy eyes.
Desdemona was good as Renee Fleming is a veteran in the HD series, although I thought it was a bit unfair having a close up of her while she was "dead" as you could see her eyelids moving and her breathing. But I suppose the shot was necessary because, as the friendly lady next to me pointed out, "sopranos do die beautifully".
So all in all a good night of entertainment. There was drama, there was danger, there were emotions and crazy eyes all over the place. It was great and the massive sets that took 65 men to change gave it the sense of grandeur one expects from opera.
Not my usual cup of tea or how I would normally spend a Saturday evening but I would definitely go again, which is a good thing as I have a ticket to see Aida in December. Just enough time to read up on the subject.
But because of the cameras recording the performance for us cinema goers, which offer a close up not available to the flesh and blood audience, it wasn't just about singing but about acting as well. With this in mind Iago was definitely the star of the show for me as he managed to ooze evil and cunning. Otello on the other hand, while a great singer, seemed to express all his emotions through his crazy eyes.
Desdemona was good as Renee Fleming is a veteran in the HD series, although I thought it was a bit unfair having a close up of her while she was "dead" as you could see her eyelids moving and her breathing. But I suppose the shot was necessary because, as the friendly lady next to me pointed out, "sopranos do die beautifully".
So all in all a good night of entertainment. There was drama, there was danger, there were emotions and crazy eyes all over the place. It was great and the massive sets that took 65 men to change gave it the sense of grandeur one expects from opera.
Not my usual cup of tea or how I would normally spend a Saturday evening but I would definitely go again, which is a good thing as I have a ticket to see Aida in December. Just enough time to read up on the subject.
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