The Opera Tattler

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The Nose at the Met

The-nose-william-kentridge * Notes * 
The fifth performance of Shostakovich's The Nose at the Metropolitan Opera was last night. Wiliam Kentridge's production is utter spectacle, the absurdist whimsy suits the music and the plot. At times, the animated projections were a bit dizzying, but overall they came off very well. There were times when the singers were placed awfully far upstage, and were, as a result, difficult to hear. The Nose himself appeared as a projection and live, the choreography was sprightly and amusing.

The orchestra sounded clear under Valery Gergiev. The cast was uniformly strong as far as both acting and singing. Claudia Waite was convincingly shrewish as the barber's wife, and Erin Morley sounded especially beautiful in the scene at Kazan Cathedral. Gordon Gietz was ridiculous as one could want for the Nose, and Andrei Popov screeched hilariously as the Police Inspector. As our protagonist Kovalyov, Paulo Szot was extremely funny. One did not have to know any Russian to understand what was going on, yet pantomime was still avoided.

* Tattling * 
There was some dialogue that was translated in projections that were not visible to everyone in the house and were not part of the Met titles. This caused certain members of the audience to talk. There was some applause as the orchestra played by itself in Act I Scene 6.

Also, it should be mentioned that somehow our friend Herr Feldheim made sure the Tattler had at least one Manhattan-based blogger to greet her at this performance.

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11 responses to “The Nose at the Met”

  1. Not For Fun Only Avatar
    Not For Fun Only

    We just thought the Tattler, being so far from home, might want some company at this performance. The production sounds like a lot of fun. I don’t know this opera at all. So the nose does not get to sing?

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  2. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    That was quite thoughtful of you. You would have enjoyed this performance, I believe. The nose does sing! He is a tenor, even.

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  3. Sibyl Avatar
    Sibyl

    Oh for wings and tickets!

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  4. y2k Avatar
    y2k

    Those are 2 productions I wish I could see! I assume you had a standing room ticket in FC for Hamlet?
    I saw The Nose last year in the Opera Boston production, and it was very well done too. I just love the Gogol tale which is so absurd that it totally hooks you. I listened to the Met’s radio broadcast of The Nose a few weekends ago; it’s not the same without the visuals.
    I saw Paulo Szot as Emile de Becque in South Pacific a few months ago; he was very good in that role. I see that Szot will be singing Don Giovanni in Dallas Opera 2010-11 season. I may even go see that (and check out the new Winspear Opera House).

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  5. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    I was very lucky to be able to attend this, indeed.

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  6. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    I did have a standing room ticket up in Family Circle for Hamlet as well.
    I do wish I could have heard The Nose a few more times, it really was something.
    How interesting about Szot, I bet he is a fine Don.

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  7. Doug Avatar
    Doug

    I was at the same performance of The Nose and really enjoyed it. I thought Kentridge brought magic and insight to a not exactly easy opera and story. Renee Fleming was in the house, too, and she stayed through the curtain call. The most wonderful nights of my time in NY were the two Baroque opera evenings at BAM. The Dido/Acteon was perfect and simple and sublime. The Fairy Queen was a musical and visual feast — I would love to watch Purcell watching this production! Willima Christie, his band, and his young singers were excellent. New York had an especially impressive week for opera and I’m so glad I was able to catch some of it.

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  8. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    I’m so jealous that you got over to BAM, I did not have time to. Sounds like it was wonderful!

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  9. y2k Avatar
    y2k

    Hi Opera Tattler, I read your “how standing room works” entry but I still have Qs about SR tix at the Met. Have you gone for a Sat matinee performance? I see that for Sat matinee, the 2 options are by phone or in person. I don’t want to go to Lincoln Center in person if I can avoid it, have you had experience calling? Wonder if all the tix would be gone by the time I get through…

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  10. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    I’ve never called in, and the standing room line for the Saturday matinee is formidable, people start waiting insanely early. I think it is probably safest to actually go there in person, but I bet if you are persistent enough in calling, you can get a standing room ticket.

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  11. y2k Avatar
    y2k

    Follow-up: I ended up deciding against going. However, a friend did and said he called at 10 and was on hold for approx 7 minutes and then got a SR ticket (this was for the last Tosca with Kaufmann and Terfel). Seems like a much better option than standing in line!

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