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Listening. Jacob Lucas photo c/o Seattle Opera
Last week I listened to Seattle Opera’s Beatrice and Benedict broadcast on the radio. I’ve mentioned before that, despite my love for opera, I rarely listen to it outside of performances. I am invariably disappointed in the recording quality, I miss the theater experience, and I miss the supertitles telling me what’s going on. But when the title character tells you to check out a broadcast, you do it. Read More
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Jacob Lucas photo c/o Seattle Opera
I almost didn’t get to see Beatrice and Benedict at Seattle Opera, but my mom saved the day and bought tickets to opening night. I’m so glad we got to go, because there was so much to love about Seattle Opera’s Beatrice and Benedict. Besides being wonderful in all the usual Seattle Opera ways, it introduced me to a new composer and took a balletic, Shakespearean approach to opera. I probably need to explain that last comment.
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I think The Barber of Seville might be my favorite opera. The only thing that detracted from my enjoyment when I watched it last weekend was that every scene made me think, “I wish I’d brought my kids.” Because every single scene is so delightful, so funny, so beautiful, I hated for them to miss it. Even though my kids have already been to the opera before, I left determined to come back with them before the production finishes.
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Joyce El-Khoury (Mary Stuart), Michael Todd Simpson (Cecil) and Keri Alkema (Elizabeth I). Jacob Lucas photo c/o Seattle Opera
I always feel a little sorry for Donizetti. He’s like a low-ranking player in the NBA – easily better at his game than anyone you’ve ever met, but forever overshadowed by his more talented peers. Donizetti worked in the first half of the 19th century and a handful of his operas are still performed today. That’s pretty good. But he’s still not as famous as the other big bel canto composers, Verdi, Rossini, and Puccini, and with good reason. His canto is bel, but to my ear, feels a little … predictable? Formulaic? But Donizetti has one advantage over his peers – an interest in powerful women.