WWTBAM Bored

I saw a production of Mr. Puccini's Madama Butterfly at the New York City Opera (stepchild to the Metropolitan Opera). The production I saw didn't seem to use speakers too much to amplify the sounds, opposite to what I am used to. Is this common? I was surprised how much I was able to keep interested in it. This production was on PBS in NYC at least a week or two ago.

Edited: According to the New York Times, this paragraph answers some of my questions:

"The vocal drama that is close to the heart of Puccini is harder to enjoy at the New York State Theater - partly because true Puccini voices are scarce and quickly become too expensive for the company, partly because the acoustics are so dull that only an extremely well-placed, resonant voice can carry easily over the orchestra."

So, the acoustics are not good in the theater, and the minor league opera doesn't get the best talent. Next time I will aim for the Met...

Edited Again: The above was an old review. The new review did not mention any of the above problems.

goongas wrote:I saw a production of Mr. Puccini's Madama Butterfly at the New York City Opera (stepchild to the Metropolitan Opera). The production I saw didn't seem to use speakers too much to amplify the sounds, opposite to what I am used to. Is this common? I was surprised how much I was able to keep interested in it. This production was on PBS in NYC at least a week or two ago.

Mom says this is the best first opera, as the story is easy to follow and the melodies are recognizable/memorable.

I posted this Canada Board short film primer on opera before:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lP_ateyXy9w

Us old-timers still frump and humph at the overuse of microphones and speakers for all types of musical productions. It makes the orchestra lazy, it makes mediocre musical performers seem as if they are good ones, and it makes for uneven volume settings most of the times.

Make 'em learn to project, I say. Bravo for the opera companies that still shy away from "personal" mikes.

Sorry, goongas. I expected to see Annie as the author of this post.

Once I saw it was you - your avatar also threw me off a bit - I re-read your post with new interest.

I applaud your interest.

Mr. Goongas, I'm so excited that you got to see Madame Butterfly and liked it. I saw it on PBS not too long ago. I liked it a lotlotlot.

What I've discovered about watching opera on television is that, no matter how much I like the music from listening to it, it's all even more beautiful when I can see the singers and costumes and action. So far, I can only watch on television, because I haven't yet found an opera place that will let me be part of the audience in a theatre. I think it will be even better in person. My mom says that sometimes opera people sing outside in the summertime, and the audience sits on the grass, and they might let me go to one of those operas. She is going to watch for one of those performances this summer, and she might take me if it's not too far away. I'm crossing my toes.

/:P\

AnnieCamaro wrote:So far, I can only watch on television, because I haven't yet found an opera place that will let me be part of the audience in a theatre.

Two-footers can still be so prejudiced at time!

But how sweet it will be to walk down the aisle at the premiere of Guinefort and listen to the whispered conversations.

"No, she's not one of the audience. She is the composer!"

MarleysGh0st wrote:
But how sweet it will be to walk down the aisle at the premiere of Guinefort and listen to the whispered conversations.

"No, she's not one of the audience. She is the composer!"

Oh, Mr. Marley, you are very close to making tears of happiness come to my eyes, but I won't let that happen. Dogs don't cry!

I confess that I have been known to whimper a few times, but those were under different circumstances.

/:P\

AnnieCamaro wrote:

MarleysGh0st wrote:
But how sweet it will be to walk down the aisle at the premiere of Guinefort and listen to the whispered conversations.

"No, she's not one of the audience. She is the composer!"

Oh, Mr. Marley, you are very close to making tears of happiness come to my eyes, but I won't let that happen. Dogs don't cry!

I confess that I have been known to whimper a few times, but those were under different circumstances.

/:P\

I love it!

I have a feeling Uly could also have used a clip from the late Anna Russell, known for dead-pan explications of inexplicable opera plotting, accompanied by the interjection, "I'm not making this up, you know". whether she has been ported onto YouTube I do not know.

oh dear.

I have written "the late _____ is known for deadpan explication". This deserves a stinkerinoo award, but I/m not changing it.