Comments on: Brokeback Mountain a go….

By: zeno

zeno — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:14:39 +0000

Alan, I agree that Carter’s late song cycle Tempo e Tempi is wonderful.

I also was very sad that I just missed the Berlin State Opera’s, under Daniel Barenboim’s direction, full evening performances — in that city’s Apollo Salle — of A Mirror On Which To Dwell followed by Syringa and In sleep In thunder — about an hour of the most powerfully moving vocal music composed by an American, or any, composer in the 20th century.

Perhaps the Washington NATIONAL Opera, still searching for an American opera to program next season (and every season) — as promised to Congress and the American people when the company was allowed to add NATIONAL to its title — will invite Mr Barenboim to lead the Carter trilogy [or tetralogy] of song cycles at the Kennedy Center.

(This season the Washington NATIONAL Opera closed with a concert version of Pietro Mascagni ‘Cavalier Rusticana’; and next season will include our NATIONAL opera company performing Rossini’s ‘Petite Messe Solennelle’ with Andrea Bocelli in lieu of an American opera.)

By: Alan Theisen

Alan Theisen — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 14:57:19 +0000

I agree with Zeno – I wasn’t a huge fan of Carter’s opera.

I do, however, think his late song cycle Tempo e Tempi is wonderful!

By: Phil Fried

Phil Fried — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 20:00:42 +0000

I’m happy that I’m not the only one still composing serial opera seria.
Did I say that?

Phil Fried

By: Anthony Cornicello

Anthony Cornicello — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:33:25 +0000

Oh right! Thanks Zeno. It’s been a while since I looked at that piece. I was the one who edited the parts.

By: zeno

zeno — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:41:51 +0000

Process Too Complicated To Explain, apparently.

With all due respect, I also don’t believe that Elliott Carter was made for opera, but I would not say the same for Roger Sessions, William Grant Still, Leon Kirchner, and several other American composers. (I just missed seeing Wuorinen’s Haroun and didn’t catch Brokeback …)

Does anyone have any insider knowledge as to whether Orwell, Maazel, J.D. McClatchy, and Thomas Meehan’s 1984 is going to be presented at the MET, the NYCO, or the Washington National Opera? I see that the DVD has now been released over the ocean.
Thanks.

By: Anthony Cornicello

Anthony Cornicello — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 04:54:20 +0000

Maybe I’m a little tired, but what does P2C2E stand for?

By: David Salvage

David Salvage — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 22:46:25 +0000

Wuorinen’s Haroun was not good–and the P2C2E-schtick was even a little embarrassing! The audience was pretty light the night I was there, too., How does this add up to getting another commission from NYCO? If you’re big enough, and you can get the rights to a famous movie, I suppose the sky’s the limit.

P.S. Don’t mean to be a grouch, but Brokeback is WAYYYY overrated. Let’s hope Wuorinen skips the eyebrow-raising sheep montages…

P.S.S. His 4th piano concerto and concerto for amplified violin are great. Don’t get me wrong, I just don’t think this guy was made for opera.

By: Anthony Cornicello

Anthony Cornicello — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 18:51:37 +0000

I don’t think that I would have ever thought of Wuorinen as an opera composer, but here he is! My wife has observed that writing for voice seems to make 12-tone/serial composers think very linearly, and it produces exquisite results.

Bravo, CW!!!

By: Brian Vlasak

Brian Vlasak — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 04:29:08 +0000

A very happy birthday to a very talented individual. And what a present to receive!

By: Christian

Christian — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 21:45:09 +0000

Thanks Carson. I can only plead heat stroke on that one! Fixing it now…