Elizabeth – In the premiere of Wozzeck Thursday evening, Matthias Goerne stepped in for Thomas Hampson in the titular role. Initially I was disappointed to hear the news as I adore Hampson and was looking forward to hearing him in this new role. But Hampson’s loss was the Met’s gain as the German stepped in… [Read More]
One Set to Rule Them All, And In the Darkness Bind Them: Gotterdammerung at the Metropolitan Opera
On the last day of the 2012-21013 Metropolitan Opera season, we saw the final performance of Gotterdammerung. Elizabeth – From the start of the prologue of Götterdämmerung, I had a sinking feeling in my stomach. Three Norns (whatever those are) are spinning the ropes of Fate, actual ropes, while giving the background of the ring—Wotan,… [Read More]
Money for Nothung: Siegfried at the Metropolitan Opera
We attended the Met season premiere of Siegfried this weekend. Perhaps Wagner has a unifying effect on us. Elizabeth – The Met’s season premiere of Siegfried appeared to go off without a hitch on The Machine’s part. This installation of The Ring had a good deal of levity and some physical humor that I greatly enjoyed. … [Read More]
Mid-Scene Replacements and The Machine Triumphant (Almost): Die Walküre at the Metropolitan Opera
We went to the Met’s season premiere of Die Walküre this weekend with great trepidation. After the epic set fails of The Machine at last Saturday’s season premiere of Das Rhinegold we were prepared for the worst. BUT The Machine executed it’s morphing set changes without a hitch….almost. Perhaps the multi million dollar reinforcements of the stage… [Read More]
Diapered Greeks and Trojan Horses: Les Troyens at the Metropolitan Opera
This past week we saw Les Troyens at the Met. At just over five hours, it was by far the longest evening at the opera either of us had ever experienced. Shockingly, we both stayed awake the entire time. Les Troyens is the story of the fall of Troy to the Greeks, the escape from… [Read More]
