New Operas for 2005

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 4:47 pm

If you weren't aware of it, AOL music has both CD's of Roger Waters' new opera "Ã‡a Ira" for online listening at

http://music.aol.com/musicstyles/classical.adp

Waters, in case you're not old enough, was the bassist for Pink Floyd.

I've got to admit, I like it a lot. Sounds like there are some juicy tuba parts in there too.

I don't know where there is a substantial online preview for the Philip Glass work, however.

TMurphy · Post by **TMurphy** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 12:46 am

Thanks Chuck!

I was toying with the idea of buying Waters' opera, and after listening to a bit here, am definitely going to pick it up.[/i]

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 3:23 am

After I listened to it a bit, my reaction was "Heck, this isn't an opera, it's a Broadway musical." Sure reminds me of Le Miz...

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 1:34 pm

bloke wrote:Is there much difference, really, between an opera and a Broadway musical...??

Maybe it's because snootier people will listen to an opera and turn their noses down at a Broadway musical. Somehow, I can't imagine Wozzeck being a hit on Broadway, but I suppose anything's possible...

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 2:09 pm

Chuck(G) wrote:Somehow, I can't imagine Wozzeck being a hit on Broadway, but I suppose anything's possible...

Memories vs 'Mmmmmm' ; This, I gotta see...

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 3:16 pm

windshieldbug wrote: Memories vs 'Mmmmmm' ; This, I gotta see...

Well, you know, Broadway musicals usually have some great choreography. So maybe "Wozzeck" couild use a few good tap numbers and how about a high kicking finale right at the end?

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 3:30 pm

Are you kidding? 'Ring-a-ring-a-roses, all fall down!' practically begs for the choreography!

(what is the dance equivalent to the 12-tone row?)

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 3:39 pm

windshieldbug wrote: (what is the dance equivalent to the 12-tone row?)

The Keystone Kops?

"Du," kick-ball-cross "der Mutter ist tod" slide-rock-turn-cross-step...

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 4:01 pm

... and retrograde...
"'Andres!" step-cross-turn "This place is accursed!" rock-slide-cross-ball-kick

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 7:01 pm

On the other hand, we could take, say, "The Producers", remove the dance numbers and let Karlheinz Stockhausen rescore the music for opera...

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 7:14 pm

Nathan Lane in die Produzenten...

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 8:49 pm

bloke wrote:Of course, the Wozzeck reference is funny, but that is because it is far from a typical opera. A classic Broadway show, otoh, that comes pretty close to being a "typical opera" (is such exists) is Carousel.

You haven't convinced me, Joe!

You might succeed with some of the lighter operatic works, but let's take one of the cornerstones of Grand Opera, Wagner's "Ring". How much of a Broadway audience would this attract, keeping the music and dialogue and simply altering the staging?

TubeNet

New Operas for 2005

If someone offered you your choice of tickets to the following two operas, which would you choose?

New Operas for 2005