Ross's review in the New Yorker was a good introduction to the opera (I liked Wagnerism as well). It would have been helpful to see these video clips before seeing the performance. The absence of arias was a puzzle; I had forgotten that the play also has no soliloquys.
Hi, Stefan! I sat with you and Andy at the SFO luncheon. Yes, I thought the last one was dreadful. It made me doubtful, fearful even, of future Adams works! I was such a huge fan of “Nixon” ever since we saw the ‘premiere’, the piano concert version done at Herbst. I loved Dr. Atomic and I thought Klinghoffer was better than the critics did. But after “Girls of the Golden West”, I don’t know. Maybe the problem was that the libretto was too long. Peter Sellers is brilliant, but my feeling was that he had too much to say and no one knew where to cut and edit him. But Shakespeare is pretty wordy, as well. And I don’t know that I’m quite ready to pack myself into an opera house yet. I don’t know. I hate to miss something wonderful, yet I hate to get stuck with another turkey… I don’t usually wait for reviews before I go to see something because I often disagree with reviewers; but in this case I might wait.
@@JWP452 I haven't read that book, and maybe I wouldn't like it, as you seem not to! But I've been reading and have loved Ross's writings in the New Yorker for decades now; many of his descriptions and framings have stayed with me over years.
@@jasonhorowitz9270 Me, too, actually. Especially his assessment of the Met's new Ring, “pound for pound, ton for ton, it is the most witless and wasteful production in modern operatic history.” 🙂
A fantastic synopsis as to the why, how and when this endeavor came about. Hats off to John for the creation and to Matthew for “Popping the Question” and to all those behind the scenes for pulling it all off. This is going to amaze us soon and many more in the years to come. Thank you…..ff
Ross's review in the New Yorker was a good introduction to the opera (I liked Wagnerism as well). It would have been helpful to see these video clips before seeing the performance. The absence of arias was a puzzle; I had forgotten that the play also has no soliloquys.
A am a big fan of John Adams and so looking forward to this. Since his last opera was so awful, I am hoping this is a grand success!
Hi, Stefan! I sat with you and Andy at the SFO luncheon. Yes, I thought the last one was dreadful. It made me doubtful, fearful even, of future Adams works! I was such a huge fan of “Nixon” ever since we saw the ‘premiere’, the piano concert version done at Herbst. I loved Dr. Atomic and I thought Klinghoffer was better than the critics did. But after “Girls of the Golden West”, I don’t know. Maybe the problem was that the libretto was too long. Peter Sellers is brilliant, but my feeling was that he had too much to say and no one knew where to cut and edit him. But Shakespeare is pretty wordy, as well. And I don’t know that I’m quite ready to pack myself into an opera house yet. I don’t know. I hate to miss something wonderful, yet I hate to get stuck with another turkey… I don’t usually wait for reviews before I go to see something because I often disagree with reviewers; but in this case I might wait.
👌🏽
The New York Times hated the opera, but I think it's that Eun Sun Kim (who ruined Fidelio) was in charge of the music.
I saw it last night and it was amazing. I suggest that everyone read Alex Ross's New Yorker review to balance out the NTY review.
@@jasonhorowitz9270 I suggest that you read WAGNERISM before you credit Alex Ross with anything.
@@JWP452 I haven't read that book, and maybe I wouldn't like it, as you seem not to! But I've been reading and have loved Ross's writings in the New Yorker for decades now; many of his descriptions and framings have stayed with me over years.
@@jasonhorowitz9270 Me, too, actually. Especially his assessment of the Met's new Ring, “pound for pound, ton for ton, it is the most witless and wasteful production in modern operatic history.” 🙂
A fantastic synopsis as to the why, how and when this endeavor came about. Hats off to John for the creation and to Matthew for “Popping the Question” and to all those behind the scenes for pulling it all off. This is going to amaze us soon and many more in the years to come.
Thank you…..ff