I am so relieved to see a post here: I thought t...

2009-03-10T10:02:00.000Z

I am so relieved to see a post here: I thought that you had perhaps been stunned into silence!

I am glad that you enjoyed it, and thanks for giving it a try. Like new writing for the theatre, some works well, and some less so, and the audience has to be prepared to allow for this. I don’t think that the opera critics understand this concept sometimes.

I agree with you about ‘White’ actually working best, although the Press have been a bit sniffy about it. Which of course comes back to whether or not you value a Blogger review, or the professionals: we go because we want to, and pay for doing so. The professionals have plenty of interest, but have to go, and go free. It is very different.

Your write-up, as with all your reviews, gives the reader an idea of whether you actually enjoyed what you saw, which is what it is all about. I really would not worry about the technicalities of singing and playing: generally, if someone is struggling with what they are doing, or the piece itself is weak, it is obvious; as it is when the performance is very special. Of all the operas, ‘White’ did the business best – no question.

And audience development: not many new faces, and not many under 40. The ‘man in the seat next to me’ said that perhaps modern chamber opera was perhaps not the best vehicle to bring in new people.

Comments on View From The Stalls: "Five:15" - February 2009

I am so relieved to see a post here: I thought t...