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2024-03-29
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2024-03-27 08:09:00
Revisiting Staatsoper Berlin’s Ring cycle proved a thrilling experience: Dmitri Tcherniakov's production returns to Unter den Linden with conductor Philippe Jordan
Wagner: Das Rheingold - Staatsoper Berlin, 2022 (Photo: Monika Rittershaus)Wagner: The Ring of the Nibelungen; Tomasz Konieczny, Rolando Villazón, Johannes Martin Kränzle, Robert Watson, Vida Miknevičiūtė, René Pape, Claudia Mahnke, Anja Kampe, Andreas Schager, Stephan Rügamer, dir: Dmitri Tcherniakov; Staatskapelle Berlin, cond: Phillipe Jordan; Staatsopernchor, dir: Dani Juris, Staatsoper Berlin, Germany Reviewed by Tony Cooper, 26 March 2024True to form, Dmitri Tcherniakov drifts miles away from Wagner’s original intentions but, nonetheless, comes up with an interesting and extremely rewarding productionThe current Ring at Staatsoper Berlin came into being in October 2022 directed by Russian director Dmitri Tcherniakov due to be conducted by Daniel Barenboim. Sadly, though, Maestro Barenboim, had to pull out of the production because of severe health issues, a great blow to all but so disappointing for Barenboim in his 80th year. All change, please! Therefore, it’s musical chairs at Staatsoper with Maestro Barenboim, who has held […]
2024-03-15 16:06:00
Crouching composer, hidden Dragon
My post describing how classical music has many Buddhist tendencies continues to reach a gratifyingly wide audience. So it is now time to confront the elephant in the shrine room - Tan Dun's Buddha Passion. Tan Dun is best-known for his soundtrack for Ang Lee's movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, which was recorded at the Shanghai Radio, Film And TV Bureau Technical Center in 1999. Born in 1957 in the central Chinese district of Hunan, the son of a military officer in the People's Liberation Army, and he studied at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. In 1986 Tan Dun moved to New York City but retained strong links with China: his Symphony 1997 was commissioned for the reunification of Hong Kong with China.The Buddha Passion was inspired by Tan Dun's visit to the ancient Mogao Caves in north-west China. This UNESCO Heritage Site is the largest, oldest , and most […]
2024-02-19 11:10:24
The only mythical creature in the Chinese zodiac, the Dragon has long been associated with prosperit
2024-02-16 14:26:00
Opera Australia. Mozart's The Magic Flute. February 14, 2024.
Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House. Circle (Seat J35, A$193.95).At curtain call. There was no costume change except for the last scene, so I can't tell them apart. My attempt: From left: the three spirits, Papageno, Papagena, Pamina, Conductor, Tamino, Sarastro, Queen, three ladies, two priests. Note also very few people had shoes on.They used to just distribute one sheet with the synopsis, and would not specify beyond their names who the singers are. Today something close to pamphlets were handed out.Story. See previous post. I must say the story is still a bit confusing after having seen this opera a few times already. But I am getting there.Conductor - Tahu Matheson. Pamina - Stacey Alleaume; Tamino - Michael Smallwood; Papageno - Ben Mingay; Queen of the Night - Giuseppina Grech; Sarastro/Speaker - David Parkin; Papagena - Jennifer Black; Monostatos - Kanen Breen.If I had paid more attention, I probably […]
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