I saw Götterdämmerung Saturday thanks to the Live at the MET in HD program. I bawled like a baby when Gunter washes off Siegfried's blood in the Rhine. I absolutely lost it.
@OldWorldAmerican I watched it live in HD too and I was absolutely blown away by that scene! Even though the final scene wasn't as spectacular or as thrilling as I expected, I found it absolutely moving when the the redemption motif gave origin to the very first movement of the cycle - the eternal course of the Rhine.
I saw this on Saturday. It was just incredible and well worth the half hour delay. Jonas Kaufmann got a well deserved standing ovation. Was it me or did Bryn Terfel look pissed off when he took his bow?
Take this on its own terms. You should always do this with opera. Then you can be fully immersed in it. The way they used this stage is creative and ingenious. Not to mention the casting was stunning.
Maybe it will piss off classicists. Whatever.
You are missing out if you are letting something be a little different than what you've already seen 100 times ruin your experience. It was brilliant and I've never seen anything like it.
Hmm... I find The Ring Cycle to be quite entertaining. I think DemonTaoist's comment shows a lack of knowledge about opera in America. Not only does the Metropolitan Opera produce amazing time proven operas such as Der Ring but it also shows modern opera such as Nixon in China or Doctor Atomic. I find that opera companies all over the USA premiere new pieces quite frequently. Perhaps your taste would be more suited to Rock of Ages... on broadway.
I studied opera at Juilliard and Curtis, tyvm. If YOU knew more about the international opera climate, you'd know that America, in particular the Met is known for exceedingly "traditional", conservative, non-progressive repertoire.
@DemonTaoist I don't care WHERE you studied. You can study anywhere and still be wrong. I've seen multiple productions of The Ring Cycle around the globe... So don't get all high and mighty with me acting like you're some opera genius who's gonna teach me a lesson. I'm contesting your assertion that this opera is a waste of money. If YOU knew anything about Wagner, even, you'd probably know that most people agree that he would prefer a production like this.
@PianoMusic37 Their Wagner remarks sound like what people say about Sondheim. On that note, I'm not sure I liked your addition of "on Broadway". Broadway has had plenty of brilliant shows. I'm assuming that was your intent anyway, but correct me if I'm wrong. Although, I do believe that Broadway is in a pathetic state these days; every great show lasts under a year, Disney shows make the most money, and they're putting up the Phantom sequel. Webber, your cat at the first draft. Take a hint.
@overthemoo I love Sondheim works. My comment wasn't meant to be a dig at Broadway. LoL Although I can agree with your comment of it being in a pathetic state. I can't believe that there's a Phantom sequel coming out.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
What a waste of money! American opera society hangs on to repertoire like The Ring Cycle because patrons were taught that it's significant. Yes, it's significant, but it's not entertaining, that is, unless you spend exhorbitant amounts of time and money on the production. Imagine if entertaining operas were treated to this kind of spectacular! "The Ring Cycle" is a testament to stagnant popularity of opera in pop culture.
@DemonTaoist I think that a way to double Rheingold's popularity would be creating an intermission. Most puritans would say 'oh, don't break the melodic line' 'that's killing Wagner and his will'. That's true. It is an artistic crime! But there are 3 reasons do it: 1, a 2 and a half hour always hurts one's back; 2, as opera is a show appealing to socialization, an intermission is very important; 3, many young people don't have the mood for being sitten for 2 and a half hours.
Most young people don't have the mood for dramatically and musically esoteric and inaccessible opera! Wagner sounds like harmonic mush; like random, seemingly meandering chromaticism that just wanders on forever. There are, of course, some really cool parts that are immediately accessible, but for the most part it's not the kind of music that you can just sit and enjoy the first listen through. I'm not saying the Met should never do Wagner, but it shouldn't be standard rep...
And Wagner should not soak up such huge production costs. Which has become a pattern. Doing Wagner? Better fancy-up the production because lord knows the operas themselves are dry as dirt.
The most frustrating part for me is that Wagner is standard rep at the Met because of rich patrons and socialites who have STAGNATED American opera repertoire due to their own "tastes". Tastes which, as those who go to the Met know, typically lead them to leave in the middle of operas anyway.
My spoken Italian sucks, so I'll respond in English. That money could have been spent on an opera like... say... Ainadamar. An opera that is HUGELY accessible to the masses that would get troves of new people interested in opera if they had the chance to hear it. The powers that be (the rich patrons) in American opera culture don't like new operas, so it would be extremely unlikely to ever be produced by the met.
@DemonTaoist, let's face it, most of the masses don't like classical music and don't want to sit 2+ hours listening to it. The very same people who would see Ainadamar are mostly already opera fans. So it's not like you are getting fresh blood. If you are complaining that big opera houses in the US are not performing new operas, then when you provide the funding for it, maybe they will. As is, I can't even afford to see an opera in person; I have to watch it at the theatre.
I saw DAS RHEINGOLD today and I had a religious experience! The set was incredible, the voices phenomenal!!! See the show with this brilliant cast and effects, it's not to be missed!!
@PhantomDrums917 Same here, saw the HD simocast last Saturday at the cinema, big screen, bigger sound and the cameras give you the best seats, and they were only $24, try to get great seats at the Met, you will need a Platinum Card.
I'd LIKE to take a helmet, breastplate, and spear. But, alas, I won't be. I often joke that the Met is lucky I usually consent to wear pants. Anyway, I'll be in a basic black suit and my valkyrie friend will be in a black gown.
The old Otto Schenk production was aggressivly "traditional." Its proponents claimed it was true to Wagner's vision, or at least his stage directions. I never found it particularly theatrically engaging, so I'm looking forward to the LePage with great anticipation.
@CTenCrowe The old Otto Schenk RING was something from Disneyland 1950s. It had all of the pretty gimmicks and bad acting..... best to go with contemporary productions even if it's a gamble.
No, I misspelled VALKYRIE so deleted. The second post was correct and can be displayed. Anyway, the gist: the Met audience is conservative. They hate anything new. I'm wearing a black suit since I didn't want to pay $150 for a tux. Would like to wear a helmet, breastplate and a spear. I'm going with my valkyrie friend on my arm.
Like I said, the Met audience is kind of conservative. Last year they booed the new "Tosca" because it was too "modern." I've gotten into arguments over the Robert Wilson "Lohengrin." So perhaps there will be bloodshed. I'd LIKE to wear a breastplate, helmet, and spear. But I'm not going to be in the Family Circle. Was going to get a tux but it's a recession. Wearing a black suit and will have a valkyrie on my arm. Cheers!
I'm there Monday night for the gala opening. I've been looking forward to this for a long, long time. I'm expecting to be blown out the back of the theatre. I'm also expecting there to be a riot - the Met is a conservative house and this might fry some wires. I'm ready to throw down.
I saw Götterdämmerung Saturday thanks to the Live at the MET in HD program. I bawled like a baby when Gunter washes off Siegfried's blood in the Rhine. I absolutely lost it.
OldWorldAmerican 1 week ago
@OldWorldAmerican I watched it live in HD too and I was absolutely blown away by that scene! Even though the final scene wasn't as spectacular or as thrilling as I expected, I found it absolutely moving when the the redemption motif gave origin to the very first movement of the cycle - the eternal course of the Rhine.
LordMgls 1 week ago
I can not wait to see on a blu-ray... even DVD would be great!
65maho 7 months ago
I saw this on Saturday. It was just incredible and well worth the half hour delay. Jonas Kaufmann got a well deserved standing ovation. Was it me or did Bryn Terfel look pissed off when he took his bow?
Can't wait for Siegfried in November.
lucavigg 9 months ago
@lordmgls
Yes, The show started a half hour late because the machine was being a diva, lol.
Still, well worth the wait!!
jen0v4 9 months ago 2
@jen0v4 LOL - machine diva, watch out if they don't step you out like Mrs. Gheorghiu x)
LordMgls 9 months ago
I saw this yesterday. It was amazing.
Take this on its own terms. You should always do this with opera. Then you can be fully immersed in it. The way they used this stage is creative and ingenious. Not to mention the casting was stunning.
Maybe it will piss off classicists. Whatever.
You are missing out if you are letting something be a little different than what you've already seen 100 times ruin your experience. It was brilliant and I've never seen anything like it.
jen0v4 9 months ago
@jen0v4 than you have also seen the day the machine chose to "misbehave" lol
great production - timeless.
LordMgls 9 months ago
THE MET OPERA TODAY: all smoke and mirrors and gelb!
rumpwrestler 1 year ago
Hmm... I find The Ring Cycle to be quite entertaining. I think DemonTaoist's comment shows a lack of knowledge about opera in America. Not only does the Metropolitan Opera produce amazing time proven operas such as Der Ring but it also shows modern opera such as Nixon in China or Doctor Atomic. I find that opera companies all over the USA premiere new pieces quite frequently. Perhaps your taste would be more suited to Rock of Ages... on broadway.
PianoMusic37 1 year ago
@PianoMusic37
I studied opera at Juilliard and Curtis, tyvm. If YOU knew more about the international opera climate, you'd know that America, in particular the Met is known for exceedingly "traditional", conservative, non-progressive repertoire.
DemonTaoist 1 year ago
@DemonTaoist I don't care WHERE you studied. You can study anywhere and still be wrong. I've seen multiple productions of The Ring Cycle around the globe... So don't get all high and mighty with me acting like you're some opera genius who's gonna teach me a lesson. I'm contesting your assertion that this opera is a waste of money. If YOU knew anything about Wagner, even, you'd probably know that most people agree that he would prefer a production like this.
PianoMusic37 1 year ago
@DemonTaoist Also, here in America, I've been to various modern opera premieres. So maybe you should get out more. Ugh.
PianoMusic37 1 year ago
@PianoMusic37 Their Wagner remarks sound like what people say about Sondheim. On that note, I'm not sure I liked your addition of "on Broadway". Broadway has had plenty of brilliant shows. I'm assuming that was your intent anyway, but correct me if I'm wrong. Although, I do believe that Broadway is in a pathetic state these days; every great show lasts under a year, Disney shows make the most money, and they're putting up the Phantom sequel. Webber, your cat at the first draft. Take a hint.
overthemoo 1 year ago
@overthemoo I love Sondheim works. My comment wasn't meant to be a dig at Broadway. LoL Although I can agree with your comment of it being in a pathetic state. I can't believe that there's a Phantom sequel coming out.
PianoMusic37 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
What a waste of money! American opera society hangs on to repertoire like The Ring Cycle because patrons were taught that it's significant. Yes, it's significant, but it's not entertaining, that is, unless you spend exhorbitant amounts of time and money on the production. Imagine if entertaining operas were treated to this kind of spectacular! "The Ring Cycle" is a testament to stagnant popularity of opera in pop culture.
DemonTaoist 1 year ago
@DemonTaoist I think that a way to double Rheingold's popularity would be creating an intermission. Most puritans would say 'oh, don't break the melodic line' 'that's killing Wagner and his will'. That's true. It is an artistic crime! But there are 3 reasons do it: 1, a 2 and a half hour always hurts one's back; 2, as opera is a show appealing to socialization, an intermission is very important; 3, many young people don't have the mood for being sitten for 2 and a half hours.
LordMgls 1 year ago
@LordMgls An idiotic statement, best forgotten!
MarcusHolly 1 year ago
@LordMgls
Most young people don't have the mood for dramatically and musically esoteric and inaccessible opera! Wagner sounds like harmonic mush; like random, seemingly meandering chromaticism that just wanders on forever. There are, of course, some really cool parts that are immediately accessible, but for the most part it's not the kind of music that you can just sit and enjoy the first listen through. I'm not saying the Met should never do Wagner, but it shouldn't be standard rep...
DemonTaoist 1 year ago
@LordMgls
And Wagner should not soak up such huge production costs. Which has become a pattern. Doing Wagner? Better fancy-up the production because lord knows the operas themselves are dry as dirt.
The most frustrating part for me is that Wagner is standard rep at the Met because of rich patrons and socialites who have STAGNATED American opera repertoire due to their own "tastes". Tastes which, as those who go to the Met know, typically lead them to leave in the middle of operas anyway.
DemonTaoist 1 year ago
@DemonTaoist, maybe Wagner gets fancy treatment because his operas inspire it.
angryjalapeno 11 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@DemonTaoist, maybe Wagner gets fancy treatment because his operas inspire it.
angryjalapeno 11 months ago
@DemonTaoist il denaro speso per Wagner non è mai troppo; Wagner è il più grande musicista di sempre!!!
pinintra 1 year ago
@pinintra
My spoken Italian sucks, so I'll respond in English. That money could have been spent on an opera like... say... Ainadamar. An opera that is HUGELY accessible to the masses that would get troves of new people interested in opera if they had the chance to hear it. The powers that be (the rich patrons) in American opera culture don't like new operas, so it would be extremely unlikely to ever be produced by the met.
DemonTaoist 1 year ago
@DemonTaoist, let's face it, most of the masses don't like classical music and don't want to sit 2+ hours listening to it. The very same people who would see Ainadamar are mostly already opera fans. So it's not like you are getting fresh blood. If you are complaining that big opera houses in the US are not performing new operas, then when you provide the funding for it, maybe they will. As is, I can't even afford to see an opera in person; I have to watch it at the theatre.
angryjalapeno 11 months ago
@DemonTaoist
you're moronic
anoperafan 11 months ago
@DemonTaoist
Haters gonna hate.
cosplaybandgeek 4 months ago
0:29
Wheeeeeeeeeeee!!!!
ABookwormAndProud 1 year ago
I saw DAS RHEINGOLD today and I had a religious experience! The set was incredible, the voices phenomenal!!! See the show with this brilliant cast and effects, it's not to be missed!!
PhantomDrums917 1 year ago 7
@PhantomDrums917 Same here, saw the HD simocast last Saturday at the cinema, big screen, bigger sound and the cameras give you the best seats, and they were only $24, try to get great seats at the Met, you will need a Platinum Card.
KlunkerRider 1 year ago
@PhantomDrums917
There is a reason that Wagner fans of his day called themselves Pilgrims. XD
cosplaybandgeek 4 months ago
@cosplaybandgeek LOL! Did not know that. :)
PhantomDrums917 4 months ago
I'd LIKE to take a helmet, breastplate, and spear. But, alas, I won't be. I often joke that the Met is lucky I usually consent to wear pants. Anyway, I'll be in a basic black suit and my valkyrie friend will be in a black gown.
The old Otto Schenk production was aggressivly "traditional." Its proponents claimed it was true to Wagner's vision, or at least his stage directions. I never found it particularly theatrically engaging, so I'm looking forward to the LePage with great anticipation.
CTenCrowe 1 year ago
@CTenCrowe The Schenk RING was a bad drug trip through Disneyland. Thank god it is gone!
MarcusHolly 1 year ago
@CTenCrowe The old Otto Schenk RING was something from Disneyland 1950s. It had all of the pretty gimmicks and bad acting..... best to go with contemporary productions even if it's a gamble.
MarcusHolly 1 year ago
No, I misspelled VALKYRIE so deleted. The second post was correct and can be displayed. Anyway, the gist: the Met audience is conservative. They hate anything new. I'm wearing a black suit since I didn't want to pay $150 for a tux. Would like to wear a helmet, breastplate and a spear. I'm going with my valkyrie friend on my arm.
CTenCrowe 1 year ago
@CTenCrowe Are you kidding when you say you will take a helmet, breastplate and a spear??? That's being conservative? :-P
Don't you think that being conservative with this production means opposing the progress of the Ring's modern character?
LordMgls 1 year ago
@LordMgls HOW WAS IS THAN????? :-)
LordMgls 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Like I said, the Met audience is kind of conservative. Last year they booed the new "Tosca" because it was too "modern." I've gotten into arguments over the Robert Wilson "Lohengrin." So perhaps there will be bloodshed. I'd LIKE to wear a breastplate, helmet, and spear. But I'm not going to be in the Family Circle. Was going to get a tux but it's a recession. Wearing a black suit and will have a valkyrie on my arm. Cheers!
CTenCrowe 1 year ago
Comment removed
CTenCrowe 1 year ago
@CTenCrowe You want the comment not to be displayed?
LordMgls 1 year ago
I'm there Monday night for the gala opening. I've been looking forward to this for a long, long time. I'm expecting to be blown out the back of the theatre. I'm also expecting there to be a riot - the Met is a conservative house and this might fry some wires. I'm ready to throw down.
CTenCrowe 1 year ago
@CTenCrowe What kind of riot?
Tell me something - how do people dress for a gala opening at the Met?
LordMgls 1 year ago
I just bought my ticket for this production. So excited!
brandonacker 1 year ago
I WANT TO SEE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
leporello56 1 year ago 5