Elizabeth – Wagner really outdid himself with Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg. Everyone knows Wagner is long; longer than most other operas. But Meistersinger’s season premiere began at 6pm and ended at 12:10am. I requested special dispensation from work to make the curtain time and dressed as though I was flying to London (because I may as… [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]
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]
