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TimRD
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- Review count6
- Helpfulness votes1
- First reviewFebruary 25, 2010
- Last reviewJuly 21, 2011
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4
TimRD's Reviews
Overall rating
4
/
5
Horrible tech problems at theater
PostedJuly 21, 2011
TimRD
from Boston, MA the Athens of America
The opera stopped 3 times for long periods of time wherein previews played and no reason given, and in the first act to get sound back and twice to get the image back on the screen. Many people went home during this first act. Spoiled many people's evening out to see this MET production at a Revere Cinema in Revere MA with the breaks in the running of the performance. We were told this was film not broadcast.. Maybe they need a union projectionist! Singing was great, first and second act set was off the mark and cheesy. The "portrait" looked like a Vegas sex newspaper ad from the '70's with bare breast hanging out.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Really Great Lyric Theater!
PostedMay 17, 2011
TimRD
from Boston, MA the Athens of America
The packed movie theater audience was in awe, spellbound! Yes, the orchestra was perfect as were all the singers, and the acting quite amazing. Thanks to the director of the filmed production we were able to get great angle views and close-ups that one would not get in a stationary seat at the MET. Kudos to the film team!
This cast was totally believable in their roles. Their enunciation and diction, especially the consonance, so perfectly rendered that one could not imagine any other language other than German as powerful for what was being "sung"... For it was truly... beyond what I would call singing, it was drop-dead lyric theater. Bryn Terfel's acting, for example... superb, amazing to behold! Wagner would HAVE to be very proud of this production. :-) Lepage and Levine, Thank you!
I saw Das Rheingold shown in HD as broadcast from Valencia Spain recently which was more effective for me than the MET's production last Fall. However, this Metropolitan Opera production of Die Walkure has set the standard even higher for the 21st Century.
(Having the ability to see the translation of the German as a footnote to the viewing angle at the very bottom of the movie screen works better for me than projected within an opera house on a screen.)
This cast was totally believable in their roles. Their enunciation and diction, especially the consonance, so perfectly rendered that one could not imagine any other language other than German as powerful for what was being "sung"... For it was truly... beyond what I would call singing, it was drop-dead lyric theater. Bryn Terfel's acting, for example... superb, amazing to behold! Wagner would HAVE to be very proud of this production. :-) Lepage and Levine, Thank you!
I saw Das Rheingold shown in HD as broadcast from Valencia Spain recently which was more effective for me than the MET's production last Fall. However, this Metropolitan Opera production of Die Walkure has set the standard even higher for the 21st Century.
(Having the ability to see the translation of the German as a footnote to the viewing angle at the very bottom of the movie screen works better for me than projected within an opera house on a screen.)
Timothy Russell Dewart
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
A Reflection, in every way.
PostedApril 24, 2011
TimRD
from Boston, MA the Athens of America
Most unusual opera.
I'm a big fan of Salome, Elektra, and Der Rosenkavalier, so I was quite puzzled at first by this opera. I'm not sure I'm on target, but my gut tells me that when Strauss wrote this just before he died he had nothing to lose by tossing out some ideas about where opera could and should be going.
To do this he has his elegant ensemble juggle this subject about in a polite interior as in a salon discussion .
For much of the opera his own usual operatic musical style seems hidden while he weighs in on the history of opera styles and fashion, bringing in many of the 'players", i.e. ballet, comedy, scenic illusion, back stage players (the singing staff).
After giving our heads something to think about, there is this musical "bridge" wherein this tour de force, and double entendre erupts into a rich and very complex ensemble singing...It is like a fireworks display.
Finally, the Countess, alone, sings from her heart showing us Strauss' nostalgic, and romantic soul as he and his heroine reflect on where to go from here.
Quite poignant. (Now, I must see what others thought of this opera)
Timothy Russell Dewart
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
PostedApril 10, 2011
TimRD
from Boston, MA the Athens of America
Opera is a new form, having only been around for a little over 400 years since Monteverdi's L'Orfeo. So, it has very different content and sound as written by composers from each generation since then.
At the outset of the MET's production of Rossini's LE COMTE ORY as broadcast in high def yesterday (4/9/2011) I reminded myself that I would not be transported by a romantic song line as in a Pucinni opera.
At first I was a little bored with the music and only focussed my eyes on the incredibly costumes and wonderful staging by both the director and the scenic designer..... .but by the end of the first act... I TOTALLY GOT IT! The finale of the first act was a culmination of aesthetics, vocal, and choral excellence that swept me off my feet.
Now, I'm not a great lover of farce, but this production's lead singers were so adept and clever with farce, and original with the form that I actually enjoyed it immensely!
The chorus, and supporting cast were all very much into their roles, and what I refer to as their individual "stage business" was quite in-the-moment and believable.
In summary, if you want to hear and see a really fine production, you'll have a feast for your ears and eyes if you can see the ENCORE production or get to the actual MET in NYC.
You may not walk away being able to sing the lines of the opera, but you'll be impressed with the performers ability to do so, and you will marvel at the score and libretto that allowed such a fun time to transpire for both those on stage and for you.....over an effortless 3 hr period.
....Timothy Russell Dewart
....Timothy Russell Dewart
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
3
/
5
Some poor director choices
PostedApril 25, 2010
TimRD
The costume period chosen made no sense and was at odds with the libretto and story.
The most damaging aspect of the production was choosing a a giant white sculpture of a head as a substitute for the severed head.
The shock and horror just wasn't there! The music has it all but the production didn't.
The couch coming out of the air, lowered on chains (throne_) silly.
The most damaging aspect of the production was choosing a a giant white sculpture of a head as a substitute for the severed head.
The shock and horror just wasn't there! The music has it all but the production didn't.
The couch coming out of the air, lowered on chains (throne_) silly.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
2
/
5
Nice sets, good singing but...
PostedFebruary 25, 2010
TimRD
from Burlington, MA
I couldn't pick up on what Mr Levine liked about this opera. I thought the plot weak and the music unmemorable. The singing was fine, the acting ok, and Levine's conducting excellent. The sets were very handsome with good lighting (the Prologue, the Doge's palace. But overall, I wouldn't rank this as a must-see of all the Verdi operas. I can't remember a chorus or time during the opera that I was fully engaged with any of it. Other broadcasts have been absolutely fantastic! Go see them. I see the European ones on HD locally through another venue. Been a great season for it all.
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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