Fixed Gear Opera Appreciation Society

Going to see Between Worlds tomorrow. Terrified.

I saw a live screening of The Rise and Fall of The Lost City of Mahagonny from the ROH at the Ritzy in Brixton a few weeks ago. What an awful piece of music.

Ha, I was at the ROH watching that. I loved it.

I did feel that it needed a full orchestra though.

I wasn't in the best mood - really stressed post-work and then my missus had a huge row with her folks over dinner. I needed something melodic and soothing, like Nozze di Figaro, or lighthearted like Zauberflöte... what i got was a discordant mess.

If we hadn't had been with the in laws I probably would have left in the interval. Thankfully the second half was slightly better, even if the narrative of the opera was confused.

On balance, some good performances (van Otter in particular) and the production was pretty ambitious. I just couldn't get on with the score - I think that Britten is the limit for me in terms of modern opera.

I also remembered that I saw a dress rehearsal of The Indian Queen at ENO in February; a sort-of bizarre mash up of Purcell's greatest hits and The Lost Chronicles of Terra Firma by Rosario Aguilar. Sufficed to say it was a strange mix.
Some brilliant performances from some young singers (Julian Bullock, Anthony Roth Costanzo) and some less convincing (Lucy Crowe, Noah Stewart).

The thing that struck me the most was the use of dance in the production - I'm not a fan of contemporary dance or ballet, but it totally blew me away in this show.

What the actual fuck?

-500 man points unless you can prove irony somehow.

I don't need to prove anything - I've been going to opera since I was old enough to sit up straight. My dad was an opera singer.. it's like mud wrestling midgets for you. Or something.

Aussie in 'not understanding Opera' shocker.

Here's an idea:

Last year I went to Glyndebourne to see something or other after the festival finished and it was surprisingly affordable. What about we find something that looks good and cheap and then we ride down there and watch it?

Probably in September or so.

1. mashton
   2.
   

In!

Glyndebourne list:

1. mashton
   
2. dumps
   

What about Don Pasquale:

http://www.glyndebourne.com/tickets-and-whats-on/events/2015/donizettis-don-pasquale/

Tickets on sale from June 8th.

Sounds like perfect Glyndebourne material. I'm in!

One of the Saturdays? Earlyish departure to have time to enjoy the grounds? Ride back? (I'm kidding).

I think any of the Saturdays work pretty well for me.

Sounds great!
Glyndebourne list:

1. mashton
   
2. dumps
   
3. hats
   

Glyndebourne list:

1. mashton
   
2. dumps
   
3. hats
   
4. mands
   

http://www.eno.org/enoscreen

Heading to the Carmen at Vue islington if anyone interested.
Recent events have lead me down this austerity-route.

I listened to carmen on a drive up to the lake district this weekend. It is very lovely.

I had forgotten about this but it's nearly June 8th!

Yep, I just put a reminder in my calendar for Monday.

I can do a bulk buy and get monies back from people, but need to have definite numbers.

Ooh, gonna have to check out if it's on at any cinemas near me.
edit: yes it is. Win.

I went to three operas last week:
The Siege of Calais (did not enjoy)
The Wild Man of the West Indies (quite hilarious though a plot like a Swiss cheese)
La Bohème (funnier than I thought it would be)

Would probably not recommend three operas in three days as it's very tiring and by the end I could only communicate through song, which was slightly awkward in the office.

OK, I propose Saturday 17th October, 4pm showing.

We take a leisurely ride down there, lunching on the way. Train back after the show.

I don't know prices yet, but hope I will be able to get them in the £25 - £50 bracket. How do people feel about that?

I'm in for that. Just checking whether my significantly better half would be too.

Would s/he be up for cycling?

I'm a bit shocked that with all the complaints about drivers on here people suddenly like carmen.

Get. Out.