OperaNow! #35: The One Where Michael Loses It
British stars take to the podium...Alagna's Orphee...Johnny Depp and Sweeney Todd...Dufus Wainwright(s an opera?)...Clay Aiken is an idiot...Guess Who Died?????
This week we feature Oliver Camacho, Leah Wool and Jenifer Goode Cooper
Plus, who would you like to play Sweeney Todd? Post a comment and let us know.
6 comments:
I think I fall into Michael's camp on this. I'm a huge Wainwright fan, and it's great to "give a pop singer a chance" to write an opera. BUT. Is it really a good idea to "give a chance" at this level? At the Met? Beyond the issue of writing for live theater, as Michael says, how does Wainwright write for the classically trained voice? He sings very "operatically," but he sings with a mic. He writes great orchestrations, but what does he know about supporting the voice and balancing the sound elements? Has he written songs for other singers?
What's the definition of "classical music" today? Alex Ross says that it largely has to do with a composer putting notes on a page and handing them off to other performers, as opposed to "pop" singers performing their own music. Wainwright is a pop singer, a songwriter. He has no track record as a composer.
If you want a hot young thing to write an experimental opera, check out Nico Muhly.
That's what I'm talkin' about!
A spirited, hot discussion with fire and passion.
Please more Leah...she is fun.
( I don't really want to be anon., but I can't figure out that Google/Blogger etc. thingy.)
Dean in Houston
Len Cariou. CARE-ee-you. He's 68. Created not only the role of Sweeney Todd in the original Broadway production (for which he won the Tony for best actor in a musical), but also Frederik in Sondheim's A Little Night Music (nominated for a Tony). A legend in my book.
And according to the original script for Sweeney, he's a man "in his forties" -- Depp is 44, so he's right on the money.
As Sweeney Todd, Michael Palin.
Rufus Wainwright sings "operatically"? Peter Gelb doesn't know anything about opera? Where have I been?
There used to be more of a dues-paying stepladder in the entertainment biz (both Hollywood and the music world), but it seems pretty much gone. If the Met's been starring relatively untested singers and directors of late (which didn't use to be the norm) maybe you can't expect them not to do it with a composer here and there. I agree that skepticism (at a minimum) is the more understandable reaction...
I know that I stand alone... But I thought that Sweeney Todd the Movie sucked!!!!! I am a HUGE fan of Sweeney Todd, and have played the role of Anthony and Tobias, and I thought it was just sad... Tobias was decent, but Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter was awful!
As far as Rufus and the opera writing? I am not sold on it. I am a huge Wainwright fan; however, I wonder what he will create... And I wonder who will sing it?
Love your show!!
Justin in Wisconsin
Michael mad equals the hottness!
more of michael...and more of passion..PLEASE!
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