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Post by Brendan Anderson on Nov 23, 2008 13:23:36 GMT -8
Has anyone gone to any of the Metropolitan Opera's presentations of their live Saturday matinee operas at movie theatres around the country (and world)? I just went yesterday to see The Damnation of Faust by Berlioz and it was a very cool experience. You can see the website here. Overall I thought the camera work was a little distracting - too much zooming in and out and panning. It's hard doing a video presentation of a stage art, but some of their camera decisions didn't make any sense....I found myself wishing they would just leave it on a medium shot of the whole stage so I could choose what to watch more of the time. But the actual staging they had at the Met was amazing complete with video screens, moving scenery and more. Good stuff! They have some good performances coming up in the next few months including Madame Butterfly in March. -Brendan
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Post by franzridesagain on Nov 23, 2008 14:31:53 GMT -8
I was close to going to see Doctor Atomic on the weekend, but the vibe of stagecraft rendered by video kept me away. I have another chance next weekend... am I brave enough to pony up the cash? I do love Adams, but more for his orchestral writing.
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Post by Brendan Anderson on Nov 23, 2008 15:08:51 GMT -8
I was close to going to see Doctor Atomic on the weekend, but the vibe of stagecraft rendered by video kept me away. I have another chance next weekend... am I brave enough to pony up the cash? I do love Adams, but more for his orchestral writing. I had friends that went to the Nov. 8th showing of Doctor Atomic and they said it was spectacular. I really really wish I could have made it to that one! Part of the reason I think the camera work was lacking in the Berlioz was that the set was very compartmentalized into 10-12 'boxes' which were sometimes all being used and sometimes all part of a bigger whole. Camera framing became a challenge on close-ups or big music numbers that included multiple soloists. I don't know...$22 to watch an HD presentation of the Met with good sound didn't feel too bad for me. Certainly cheaper than attending in person!
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Post by TJ on Nov 23, 2008 15:14:15 GMT -8
Opera....isn't my thing.
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Post by Hermione on Nov 23, 2008 16:09:05 GMT -8
Has anyone gone to any of the Metropolitan Opera's presentations of their live Saturday matinee operas at movie theatres around the country (and world)? Nah. I saw a bunch of live performances when I studied abroad in Vienna in college, so I think it would be a bit of a let down to see them on a screen in a theater. Plus, I'm not a huge opera fan. When I was in NYC in Sept., one of the Met performances was being broadcast live on the huge screen in Times Square. Not sure what opera, but it starred Renee Fleming, who's probably the only opera singer I actually know of and recognize. In any case, I thought it was neat to see Times Square flooded with opera!
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Post by Brendan Anderson on Nov 23, 2008 16:34:36 GMT -8
Nah. I saw a bunch of live performances when I studied abroad in Vienna in college, so I think it would be a bit of a let down to see them on a screen in a theater. Well, sure, we've ALL seen operas in Vienna. But for this opportunity to be available for those who might not have the good fortune to visit Vienna or Bayreuth or New York, I think it's pretty cool and worth seeing at least once. -Brendan
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Post by Jens Dietrich on Nov 24, 2008 20:04:38 GMT -8
I agree with Hermione. I've seen enough great Opera live that it's really hard for me to even consider seeing it on a screen.
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