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- Review count7
- Helpfulness votes0
- First reviewFebruary 1, 2009
- Last reviewMarch 14, 2011
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.7
bassbonist's Reviews
Overall rating
4
/
5
Two Part Review: Phil & AMC Theater
PostedMarch 14, 2011
bassbonist
from Orange County, CA
5 Stars for the Phil, 3 for the theater, average score: 4 **** Stars.
First half of my review is of the LA Phil and the actors doing scenes from the Shakespeare plays the music is based on. Fine performances on all counts, clever use of Disney Hall for the blocking of the actors, all the actors really brought the words to life. No dry readings here.
The Phil under Dudamel played with real gusto and passion, yet always in control. Some great subtle section and solo playing but was not easy to hear all the nuances on theater speaker systems. The entire project of setting up the music with the original text was very effective and probably made more sense to some audience members who may have not ever heard or read Shakespeare.
The AMC Theater at the Block of Orange did leave me wanting to hear the performance live at Disney Hall, mostly because the sound system is not as good as hearing in the acoustic environment, live "in person."
Also, in a movie theater there were distractions of crinkling candy bags, loud booms from the movie next door (usually during the quiet moments) and the ticket taker told many people, including myself, the wrong theater number which caused some confusion. Seems she couldn't tell the difference between "LA Phil" and "Battle LA" on the stub.
Also, in a movie theater there were distractions of crinkling candy bags, loud booms from the movie next door (usually during the quiet moments) and the ticket taker told many people, including myself, the wrong theater number which caused some confusion. Seems she couldn't tell the difference between "LA Phil" and "Battle LA" on the stub.
I still recommend seeing the Phil in HD as a viable substitute for those who live too far away or cannot afford the price of seats at Disney. Better to hear a great orchestra via satellite than not at all.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
A fun way to spend a Saturday morning!
PostedNovember 14, 2010
bassbonist
from Orange County, CA
Donizetti's score is magical, the singers superb. Forget that this comic opera has a silly plot, it is worth seeing and the cast give it their all. Sets, lighting, orchestra, everything first rate as I've come to expect and admire about Metropolitan Opera productions. It was also nice to see and hear an opera that wasn't a heavy drama.
The four stars are because the opera itself has a rather abrupt ending, but given the silly plot that can be overlooked to some extent.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
A MUST SEE!!
PostedJanuary 17, 2010
bassbonist
from Orange County, CA
This production is fabulous! If you missed the first broadcast, buy tickets now for the encore. If the encore sells out, buy a flight to NY and see it in person. As a musician who has played in the orchestra for many operas including Carmen (twice) this is the finest cast, staging, everything I have ever witnessed. I am completely enchanted by Elina (Carmen)!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Wierd Tales expressively told!
PostedDecember 20, 2009
bassbonist
from Orange County, CA
Fantastic production, great singing made this a very enjoyable experience for the three of us.
I'd never seen "The Tales of Hoffman" before or even read a synopsis so I read up on it before we went to the theater and I was blown away by the opera. It's a strange opera plot to be sure but since it takes place in Hoffman's mind anything goes, and to stunning effect. Offenbach's music is more powerful than I imagined and the opening of the third act is incredibly sexy. Four hours just flew by!
I'd never seen "The Tales of Hoffman" before or even read a synopsis so I read up on it before we went to the theater and I was blown away by the opera. It's a strange opera plot to be sure but since it takes place in Hoffman's mind anything goes, and to stunning effect. Offenbach's music is more powerful than I imagined and the opening of the third act is incredibly sexy. Four hours just flew by!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Fresh vision of Mozart!
PostedAugust 6, 2009
bassbonist
from Orange County, CA
Visually stunning, beautiful costumes, interesting staging, and sung in English.
Being newbies to opera, I have to admit that I have no other version of The Magic Flute to compare to, but it really doesn't matter. To any critics of this 2006 production I say that making Mozart accessible to modern audiences is not a bad thing, particularly when it's done so well! The Queen of the Night gave me chills and Papageno was a comic tour-de-force! I would see this again!!
Being newbies to opera, I have to admit that I have no other version of The Magic Flute to compare to, but it really doesn't matter. To any critics of this 2006 production I say that making Mozart accessible to modern audiences is not a bad thing, particularly when it's done so well! The Queen of the Night gave me chills and Papageno was a comic tour-de-force! I would see this again!!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
An Emotional Powerhouse!
PostedMarch 8, 2009
bassbonist
from Orange County, CA
This performance was our second live Met screening after "Orfeo" and it was as great as drama gets! Once you let yourself be immersed in the world on stage it takes on a reality all it's own. Some viewers may have been put off by the staging or puppetry but I found them very refreshing. What was more surprising was that even though I already knew the ending of the opera the effect was overwhelming! Not a dry eye in the house!
If there is another opportunity to see a re-broadcast of "Butterfly" it is not to be missed. The only technical glitches we experienced were missing subtitles about a handful of times.
If there is another opportunity to see a re-broadcast of "Butterfly" it is not to be missed. The only technical glitches we experienced were missing subtitles about a handful of times.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Brava! Want to see it again!
PostedFebruary 1, 2009
bassbonist
from Orange County, CA
My wife and I and a friend saw Gluck's "Orfeo" and it was the first opera we had ever experienced. All I can say is, "WOW!" We loved this production: everything, the staging, the dancing, the orchestral score and most of all,
Stephanie and Danielle. Pure magic! We are now hooked and will see more of the Met season. Our only regret is that we cannot see other productions live and in person at the Met, but these broadcasts are superb. I highly recommend these broadcasts for anyone who is interested in "trying out" an opera for the first time.
Stephanie and Danielle. Pure magic! We are now hooked and will see more of the Met season. Our only regret is that we cannot see other productions live and in person at the Met, but these broadcasts are superb. I highly recommend these broadcasts for anyone who is interested in "trying out" an opera for the first time.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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