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JunetheHomemaker
JunetheHomemaker's stats
- Review count4
- Helpfulness votes0
- First reviewDecember 4, 2011
- Last reviewNovember 12, 2012
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.3
JunetheHomemaker's Reviews
Overall rating
4
/
5
Excellent, but inaccessible
PostedNovember 12, 2012
JunetheHomemaker
from Somerville, MA
Age:25 to 34
Gender:Female
Goes to the movies:monthly
Dialogue
5
/
5
Special Effects
5
/
5
Art Direction
5
/
5
Acting
5
/
5
Story
5
/
5
Camerawork
5
/
5
This version of The Tempest was wonderfully constructed - the costumes, set, and orchestra were at their finest. I particularly liked Meredith Oakes' libretto, and the singing was completely beautiful. Simon Keenlyside was at his finest, and I also loved Miranda and Ferdinand. Caliban threw himself into the part with aplomb, also.
I can't recommend it because I found the music inaccessible. There's new music, and then there's New Music, and I found all the atonal material tiring to listen to. If you're a fan of atonal music and performance art, you will love this piece. It was extremely well done, it just wasn't for me.
Pros great singing, great costumes, great orchestra
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Totally wonderful production!
PostedFebruary 12, 2012
JunetheHomemaker
from Somerville, MA
Definitely one of the best Ring productions ever! The set itself is fantastic, and all the members of the cast put in an awesome showing.
I know everyone has been making a big deal of Jay Hunter Morris, and he is a wonderful understudy and actor, but I have to say he sounded tired in this production, as he did at the end of Siegfried. I hope his contract at the Met doesn't damage a voice possibly too inexperienced to handle a full run as Siegfried!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
3
/
5
A great production for Baroque opera novices
PostedJanuary 23, 2012
JunetheHomemaker
from Somerville, MA
People who love this film are probably people who love a little camp in their opera, and need not love Baroque repertoire. It may even be an asset to have an unfamiliarity with the genre, because they drop the ball on some Baroque traditions that are done better by the great Baroque composers themselves.
I loved the adaptation of the arias to English, and Joyce diDonato and David Daniels, particularly, were absolutely fabulous as Sycorax and Prospero, respectively. I also truly loved the Miranda, as she sang extremely well and possessed an unique ability to be fabulous, in character, and generously share the stage at the same time. The Caliban was also phenomenal - I never would have known he didn't speak English!
There were some elements, however, that left me shaking my head. Placido Domingo is one of the best tenors on earth, but this rep does not suit him - he simply doesn't sound his best singing this music. Danielle di Niese as Ariel completely overacts and has so much jaw tension she may as well have had a smile plastered on her face the entire time (indeed, she mostly did). The Midsummer Night's Dream characters could easily have been left out entirely (they are under a spell to forget their experiences, and everyone seems to forget they exist by the end of the opera, so why are they there?). The presentation in two acts is questionable as well - two hours of Act I before an intermission? Give me a break! I also wasn't totally thrilled with the arc of Prospero's character - his journey toward asking forgiveness is muddy at best. The English libretto sometimes leaves a little to be desired, and there's a bit too much camp for my taste in the stage direction - I'm not one who likes the audience to be *too* winked at.
A fun ride, but definitely won't go down as an all-time great.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
A great performance with some slow moments
PostedDecember 4, 2011
JunetheHomemaker
from Somerville, MA
Overall, I thought this was an *awesome* performance. Renee Fleming starts out slow, holding back a bit in the first act, but by the third act she is absolutely giving her all. Stephanie Blythe is so fabulous, and makes everything sound so easy, you're almost unimpressed by her! The tenor, and the two countertenors, are fabulous from start to finish. If you're a fan of Handel or Baroque music, you must see this production!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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