The Opera Tattler

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Post L’elisir Talk (3/5)

David Gockley started off his talk by highlighting the various opera news stories of the week. Baltimore Opera and New York City Opera both have lost their heads, Opera Pacific has closed, and Washington National Opera is postponing their Ring. This last item is of especial importance to San Francisco Opera, as it is a co-production between the two companies. If the National Opera cancels their cycle, then San Francisco Opera would have to pay for all of Götterdämmerung. Cost cutting is happening at SF Opera as well, and it is possible the cinemacasts will not continue.

More amusingly, Gockley apparently thinks Jonas Kaufmann is the bee's knees and mentioned that he is much more handsome than Domingo was at a similar stage of his career. Hopefully Kaufmann will be wooed here soon. We also learnt that next season's opener will be a Verdi opera conducted by Luisotti, and not My Fair Lady. Two other operas were confirmed for next season, but we were made to promise not to tell anyone else what they are. The new operas in upcoming years include ones from Mark Adamo, Christopher Theofanidis, and a female composer whose name escaped being mentioned.

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7 responses to “Post L’elisir Talk (3/5)”

  1. Upstairs Tenor Avatar
    Upstairs Tenor

    The cinecasts being discontinued would disappoint me, but I'd much rather see the occasional DVD. I think last year's BUTTERFLY would be a good choice, so would TOTE STADT and ELIXIR. And shoot me if you must, but I would abolutely buy APPOMATTOX.

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  2. Not For Fun Only Avatar
    Not For Fun Only

    So the Washington National Opera postponement/cancellation could effect our 2011 Ring, it sounds like. Wow.

    I'd never heard of Jonas Kaufmann before. It is interesting that Gockley's joke is about how he looks as opposed to how he sounds. No more 300 pound tenors that require fork lifts to get them to the stage.

    Could the female opera composer be Kaija Saariaho?

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  3. Cheshire Cat Avatar
    Cheshire Cat

    Very sad to hear the cinecasts would be discontinued. Does that mean NO Sr. Vargas' Elixir? NO!

    It's about time to have Herr Kaufmann singing in SFO. Herr Kaufmann can do more heavy stuff. Believe me, Herr Kaufmann can sing.

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  4. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    Dear Upstairs Tenor: I would love to hear Appomattox again, actually. I don't think I would buy the DVD though.

    Dear Not For Fun Only: Yes, it does sound like that. I believe I heard Kaufmann in Covent Garden as Don Jose, but was not impressed. It is quite possible that I'm just missing something, but we already knew that. To be fair, Gockley did talk about how Kaufmann has a wonderful voice.

    I was thinking Saariaho too!

    Dear Cheshire Cat: It seems like it is up in the air, depends on whether or not they can get into more movie theaters than last time to defray the costs, etc.

    I hope we do get Kaufmann, I really would like to get a better grasp on how he sounds.

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  5. Upstairs Tenor Avatar
    Upstairs Tenor

    By the way, what did you think o the performance?

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  6. J. Marcher Avatar
    J. Marcher

    Oh come on, we won't tell him you told us. Please?

    (from the guy who intoduced himself to you at Idomeneo when you were at the back of the balcony during the intermission)

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  7. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    Dear Upstairs Tenor: I noticed some of the changes in choreography. All and all, I adore this production and you have all been doing good work.

    Dear Mark: Hey! How am I supposed to get any information out of Gockley if I don't behave? Both have been mentioned, neither has been seen in awhile here.

    http://operatattler.typepad.com/opera/2008/10/sf-opera-futures.html

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