I kind of hated it. Don't get me wrong, it was incredible to look at, for the most part even to listen to. The story, however almost spoiled the whole experience. I watched this with my liberal parents and a fairly conservative couple and ALL OF US agreed, that it was unbearable. We sat there for almost three hours watching this woman cry over a man who she barely ever talked to. A man, for whom she gave up her culture and family. Of course, this is a tragedy, I get it but I don't need to listen to four songs in a row, that are just about drowning in your own sorrow. Of course, stage, costumes and choreography were beautiful. They always are in Bregenz. But there was barely anything happening onstage. The parasol dances were enchanting, so were the sunsets, but that's about it. Especially when looking back on Rigoletto and Carmen, this was just bland. Funnily enough I spent 10 solid minutes watching a firework that took place across the lake. That alone was more exciting than the limited stage acting that reached its climax with flowers being "thrown" around unenthusiastically. Wow, what a show. And yes, we had the fire at the end but that lasted for about five seconds, having lost my interest before it had even ended. And the actors, the poor, poor actors. They sang so unbelievably beautiful. That however didn't help the fact that the songs all sounded alike. I don't remember one piece. Of course, not every opera is a Carmen, spiked with popular songs. But the music being THIS boring did not help the terrible story at all. Props to the little boy running around the stage, constantly breaking character, however. I would, too, in a play with characters that one-dimensional. I also loved the giant American flag breaking through the stage. The American phallus (Pinkerton) ruining the Japanese purity (Madame Butterfly). Ooh, that reminds me: She was 15 at her wedding. Great.
I kind of hated it. Don't get me wrong, it was incredible to look at, for the most part even to listen to. The story, however almost spoiled the whole experience. I watched this with my liberal parents and a fairly conservative couple and ALL OF US agreed, that it was unbearable. We sat there for almost three hours watching this woman cry over a man who she barely ever talked to. A man, for whom she gave up her culture and family. Of course, this is a tragedy, I get it but I don't need to listen to four songs in a row, that are just about drowning in your own sorrow. Of course, stage, costumes and choreography were beautiful. They always are in Bregenz. But there was barely anything happening onstage. The parasol dances were enchanting, so were the sunsets, but that's about it. Especially when looking back on Rigoletto and Carmen, this was just bland. Funnily enough I spent 10 solid minutes watching a firework that took place across the lake. That alone was more exciting than the limited stage acting that reached its climax with flowers being "thrown" around unenthusiastically. Wow, what a show. And yes, we had the fire at the end but that lasted for about five seconds, having lost my interest before it had even ended. And the actors, the poor, poor actors. They sang so unbelievably beautiful. That however didn't help the fact that the songs all sounded alike. I don't remember one piece. Of course, not every opera is a Carmen, spiked with popular songs. But the music being THIS boring did not help the terrible story at all. Props to the little boy running around the stage, constantly breaking character, however. I would, too, in a play with characters that one-dimensional. I also loved the giant American flag breaking through the stage. The American phallus (Pinkerton) ruining the Japanese purity (Madame Butterfly). Ooh, that reminds me: She was 15 at her wedding. Great.
