Deborah Voigt interviewes Natalie Dessay & Juan Diego Florez are - La Sonnambula

[rosen10kavalier]

No, I was not there.

It was filmed from MET Live Viewing broadcasted at the movie theater.

[Jaydoggy531]

I had such love-hate for this production. Its sound and acting was perfect, some of the best talent there is went into this production. Mary Zimmerman's production went a little too far in trying to be unique. It was clever to add the opera-within-an-opera element but it got confusing whether we were supposed to be watching the performers acting a scene or doing an out-of-character scene.

[annao273]

I think the fact that the audience was confused as to what they were watching at any given moment was actually perfect, because it completely emphasized the 'sleepwalking' theme of the opera by sort of blurring the line between reality and dreaming. I think it was meant to confuse and was brilliant in its confusion!

[Jaydoggy531]

It did indeed do a great job to confuse the audience but the problem was - that wasn't the point of the opera. Taking liberties is fine but she actually changed the story itself to a point where the libretto didn't even make sense. It seems Ms. Zimmerman was more focussed on making herself look interesting rather than Bellini and the performers.

[annao273]

I generally agree with you that the production should serve the opera and the libretto rather then the other way around, and this production was on the edge. But nontheless I couldn't help but enjoy it because the singers acted it so well and of course sang brilliantly (as usual!).

[philipc67]

I agree, it is one thing to give a fresh interpretation and another to give a production for the sake of "effect" and destroy the opera story in the process. I think this is why modern productions of TRAVIATA never work- a Parisian courtesan dying of TB and abandoning her lover so his virginal sister can make a dignified marriage? Bayreuth has had it share of stupidity with the HIDEOUS most recent TRISTAN directed by Christoph Marthaler. I was there in 2005 and the production was loudly booed.

[sour7lemon]

Hah! I never noticed that he accidentally says Tonio instead of Elvino! He corrects himself, though.

[flaze3]

whoo! We get to hear Florez speak for himself :-D

More like this, please.

[Joe9745]

So now Deb Voigt considers officially herself to be a "Wagnerian" soprano, eh? Interesting.

[ziapengyfence]

I LOVE THEM!!!!!!!

[DessayBestSinger]

"Well that's enough, shut up for now!" xDDDDDDDD

[sour7lemon]

Haha no!!! She says "Well that's enough shout-out for now!" Haha funny that you heard shut up though!

[DessayBestSinger]

on the radio I also heard shut up!

[sour7lemon]

Haha it's definitely "shout-outs for now"

[DessayBestSinger]

well then ooof! ^^

[thecelticspirit]

I love this interview, they are so funny and relaxed. I was genuinely laughing (I was not the only one though, hearing you guys laughing too ^^) Just love the chemistry between them :) It was truly a great evening. Hope it will be released on DVD !

[volcan313]

Oui, j'ai lu que 2 DVD sortiront : Pelléas & Mélisande en automne, et sa Somnambule quelques mois après.

[thecelticspirit]

Oui, moi aussi j'ai lu, mais après xD Mais merci :) J'ai hâte pour La Sonnambula ! Et je suis curieuse de voir Natalie en Mélisande. apparement, le jeu est vraiment privilégié. Et c'est pas moi qui irais me plaindre :)