The Opera Tattler

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SF Opera’s Mefistofele


Sfopera-mefistofele-2013* Notes * 
Robert Carsen’s 1989 production of Mefistofele (Act II pictured left with Ildar Abdrazakov as Mefistofele and the San Francisco Opera Chorus, photograph by Cory Weaver) opened the 91st season of San Francisco Opera last night. The opera is rather droll, and Carsen’s treatment is bursting with color and activity. The scenes do not flow nicely into each other, and the curtain is brought down for several uncomfortable pauses as the set is rearranged. This encourages restlessness, and Music Director Nicola Luisotti was visibly and vocally annoyed at one point, as the audience was not quiet enough to begin Act III.

Luisotti conducted a bright and vibrant orchestra. The brass was clear save for perhaps one stray note in Act I Scene 1. The two harps were played beautifully. In the beginning the chorus was occasionally off from the orchestra, but sounded more cohesive as the performance progressed.

Patricia Racette sounded as robust as ever as Margherita and Elena. At times her wobbling is pronounced, but this is effective in Act III, when the imprisoned Margherita dies. Her duet as Elena with Pantalis (Renée Rapier) was lovely. In contrast, Ramón Vargas (Faust) was sounding particularly thin and reedy. This was especially noticeable in his first scene with Chuanyue Wang as Wagner, as Wang has a fresh, rich sound. Ildar Abdrazakov is a convincing Mefistofele, his physicality is appropriate for the role. His singing is perfectly fine with some warmth and good volume, but his voice is not exceptionally impressive.

* Tattling * 
As is customary for Opening Night, the proceedings started a bit late and began with a slightly less awkward than usual welcome from the General Director, President, and Chairman of the Board. Photographs were taken during the performance, and there were the usual talking and electronic disturbances.

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14 responses to “SF Opera’s Mefistofele”

  1. Devi Avatar
    Devi

    What? No mention of the offensive and unnecessary full nudity and far-beyond-suggestive behavior? I’m no prude, but I don’t go to the opera for such base “entertainment”. Disappointing, and distracted from an otherwise enjoyable production.

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  2. EBrown Avatar
    EBrown

    Although I’ve seen staged scenes from Mefistofele this was my first opportunity to see the entire opera and I loved it. I thought Vargas sang well, although I must admit that I’m hopelessly biased in his and Patricia Racette’s favor. I was willing to allow the pleasure of the over-the-top production carry me along. My companion didn’t think much of Ildar Abdrazakov as Mefistofele, but I though he sang well, though not as powerfully and Sam Ramey; I enjoyed his comedic movements. Who knew that demons were so rude?
    Speaking of rudeness, I don’t know if it’s possible for the Gala audience to get worse, but each year I’m confronted with even worse behavior than the year before. Not only were they oblivious to the Maestro’s hint to STFU but they were oblivious to time as well. Traipsing in as if the opera had no time constraints. The couple next to me were emblematic of this. Not only did they boo Speaker Pelosi and her husband when their 50th wedding anniversary was announced, but the woman actually said, “What’s the story”? Apparently she had neither heard of one of the major stories of Western civilization (Goethe anyone?), but she had not bothered to glance at her program. She then proceeded to sleep during the 1st act. Fortunately they did not return after the intermission. So the gown, the hair, the jewelry were for the party…got it.
    I believe the chorus were in costume for Walpurgisnacht. Prosthetic penises, I believe. I didn’t bother nor distract me.

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  3. EBrown Avatar
    EBrown

    Sorry for all the typos.

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  4. Devi Avatar
    Devi

    Some were in bodysuits with prosthetics. I also thought this was the case with the entire chorus, but I had family in the front row who confirmed otherwise (although they could be wrong?) EBrown may not have been distracted, but it was a hot topic of discussion amongst my 7 mature family members (all regular SF Opera attendees).
    Nonetheless, I agree with EBrown about the rudeness of the audience, which may be a bigger issue. However, as I reflect on my own “development”, I realize that I was taught how to behave properly. This includes an Alma Mater where we were required to attend cultural events like opera and were instructed regrading etiquette for such events. The vast majority don’t have such instruction, and San Franciscans in general have atrocious manners, so what do we expect? It’s just a pity that the uncouthness has infiltrated even the opera house.

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  5. SM Avatar
    SM

    Every chorister is in a bodysuit. Some of the suits have prosthetics, some not. (I promise this is accurate; I am a member of the Opera Chorus.)

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  6. EBrown Avatar
    EBrown

    Devi, do you think anything could be done about the rudeness? Perhaps random SuperTitle “tips” before the curtain rises? Or emails sent to ticket holders such as “Thank you for supporting the San Francisco Opera. Our singers and orchestra appreciate silence a minute or two before the Opera begins so that we can all be as one when the curtain rises and your presence can be more fully appreciated” ? Kind of hokey but it’s SOP to tell people to turn off their mobiles. Or, perhaps, we should just let the Gala audience rattle it’s jewels and move their jaws and then stay away for the rest of the season?

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  7. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    I think I’ve just seen too many German productions, the nudity hardly registered with me. Maybe it would make more of an impression if I were a bit closer to the stage.

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  8. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    The gala audience is just ridiculous, and I just expect it at this point, which is sad. I was confused that Pelosi was booed.

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  9. Sacto OperaFan Avatar
    Sacto OperaFan

    I went to the Sep 14 performance and treated myself to a seat in Box T. It was great. I wish I could sit there all the time. I saw this production back in ’94 with Ramey and Millo. This one looked much more bright and glittery. The singing Saturday overall was just okay, with the exception of the chorus which was truly outstanding.
    I thought Abdrazakov a charming devil and Vargas an adequate Faust. It’s rather cruel that Faust doesn’t really have a first rate aria, considering how much singing he does. The less I say about Racette the better. I am a fan of hers and what I heard Saturday caused concern. Perhaps it was just an off-night. After all, she is doing double duty. The audience was very well behaved on Saturday. Since I rarely sit in boxes, I never realized how much patrons of boxes drink during a performance. Champagne was a flowing….
    If you like choruses this is the opera to see. The SFO chorus is always good, but here they are truly spectacular.

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  10. greenvalleysunshine@gmail.com Avatar
    greenvalleysunshine@gmail.com

    Saw the opera last night, Weds., and would like to give credit to the regular folk who attend, their behaviour is much more appropriate than the Opening Night crowd, who should know better.
    By the way, Ramon Vargas lost his voice (allegy attack) after Act I, and was rescued quite ably by the understudy. I was searching for his name, but could not find it.

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  11. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    I believe the cover is Antonio Nagore. Thanks for letting us know!

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  12. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    I’m concerned about Racette too. Seems like a lot to take on at once.

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  13. JK Avatar
    JK

    I enjoyed Sunday’s finale, particularly the duets between Patricia Racette and Ramon Vargas. The chorous also was outstanding. I liked the production. The sets were engaging and aided the storytelling.
    We slogged our way through Folsom Steet Fair traffic to get there, and almost missed the curtain. At first, I thopught some supernumeries were recruited from the fair. Then the opera got all preachy, and judgmental about such fairs. Hopefully everyone got home safely and was spared from damnation.
    As far as tattling goes, the matinee crowd was fairly awful. Lots of loud talking by people who thought they were wispering, particularly during the nudity and following the set changes.

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  14. Anthony Alfidi Avatar
    Anthony Alfidi

    This was one of the best performances I’ve ever witnessed at San Francisco Opera! The singing, choreography, and staging were excellent. Hopefully it will set the standard for many aspects of opera, one of which should be the need for more attractive performers.

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