We are just home from Die Tote Stadt. I’ll see how long I can blog right now; tomorrow is a 6:00 AM wake up time, and I do need to try to get some sleep tonight. But … well … WOW!
The opera is wonderful. Incredible music. The production was so great, and I loved it all, except for just a few minor things. I think they don’t consider the grand tier and balcony people much; I could see shadows of people walking behind the scrim at times when I don’t believe they should be seen. When the ceiling comes down for the dream (nightmare!) it makes us unable to see some things, and I know that means the balcony can see even less. But musically it was stunning. There are “shimmer moments” that are amazing. The orchestra sounded fantastic. Truly. And I thought the singers were amazing.
Audience-wise I had a few issues. When you sneeze loudly, dear audience member, please don’t feel the need to then say, just as loudly, “Excuse me.” Really. And to the woman a few seats away … were you jiggling your keys or did you really wear that much jewelry? Finally, to the couple behind me who decided that you didn’t have to listen at the beginning of act three because the orchestra was playing but there was no singing, you are quite wrong. Grumpy of me, I know. But I just had to comment. Even though no one in the audience even reads this. I guess it’s just good to shout about it for a moment!
But really … this was such a great night, and I’m glad I finally got to see and hear Die Tote Stadt. Kudos and tons of applause to the oboe & English horn section too! (Yes, I DID hear you! Really.)
Now off to sleep. 6:00 AM is too soon. (I’ll check for typos tomorrow so please forgive any for now.)
