Copland - The Tender Land (1978) 12 of 12

Clip 12 of Aaron Copland's opera, The Tender Land. Michigan Opera Theater in 1978. The video quality is wanting, but you can improve it a bit if you add &fmt=18 to the end of the clip's url. (First clip of series at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPdASYESw0o&fmt=18)
Staging by Michel Montel, Conducted by Aaron Copland
Ma Moss = Frances Bible
Beth = Kim Harper
Mr. Splinters = William Nolte
Laurie = Karen Hunt
Martin = John Sandor
Top = Charles Roe
Grandpa Moss = George Gayne
Mr. Jenks = David Kline
Mrs. Jenks = Shirley Willis Jaron
Mrs. Splinters = Dorian Leigh Morris
You can also help support the Michigan Opera Theater at http://www.michiganopera.org/support/preserveopera.html

Category:

Music

Tags:

• classical
• music
• american
• opera
• copland
• tender
• land
• smorg

[falstocat]

You're right; I was lacking in taste, if I wasn't immature. I tried to delete the comments, but I couldn't. If you will, I would appreciate it.

[SDCmorg]

No problem, bro. I apologize for being quite short also. A few of my clips seem to draw a lot of performer/composer-dissing comments this summer so I've been more irritable than usual of late. :o( Let me know which of the comments you'd like deleted and I'll take care of it. :o)

[falstocat]

Calm down. I'm pleased that you put it up- why would I have any qualms with you?

Furthermore, I'm entitled to my opinion. Copland's writing can hardly be called vocal: it's stilted and mechanical. I'm sure to speak my mind when there's a safe way to do so- and look, we're on the internet, a revered bastion of free speech.

People can think whatever they like of it regardless of what I say, and they're free to write what they think alongside my posts, so don't get all worn out of shape.

[SDCmorg]

Well, a comment or two would be quite an understandable way of expressing free speech. Four of them in succession aimed at the same show... I doubt that I'm the only (or the first) one 'worn out of shape' here, you know?

[falstocat]

I think he's generally bad with voices- he doesn't seem to know how the human voice works! Vocal music should somehow reflect the natural cadences of its language. If I ever came across someone that spoke anything like this, I'd probably suggest they go on medication. :X Hopefully our school can do something good with this in spite of its inherent awfulness!

[SDCmorg]

Hmm. 4 different comments on 4 different clips of this thing dissing Copland as if you're afraid that others have such bad hearing/taste that they might dare to enjoy it is a bit much, isn't it?

I don't enjoy it (posted it because it isn't commercially available and is something of a curiosity item). But damn me if that means others must then also NOT enjoy it. Copland knew a lot more about music than I (and I dare say YOU) do. Just because I don't like it doesn't mean that he was incompetent.

[jojojo943]

Thanks for posting this. I was in this production when i was a young pup, and had no idea it could still be seen.

[falstocat]

Go on and delete them all! They're unnecessary remarks.

[eturno]

Thanks for posting this - it was interesting to see it. As for the opera itself - bad. The libretto is awful. The story is OK, except for the ending - Ma says "oh well" after seeing her daughter run away from home? Come on. The music is generally good, except the ending - maybe Copland couldn't think of anything to do with it - can't blame him. The only memorable music is the quartet at the end of Act I, but the lyrics stink. What a missed opportunity for the brilliant Aaron Copland!

[JeeRant]

Bravo! Thanks so much for posting.