This column brought back fond memories. I was a graduate student in Georgia and knew almost nothing about opera, so long ago out of curiosity I went to hear the touring Metropolitan Opera in Atlanta. The audience gasped in horror when (Rudolf Bing)? walked on stage at the start. But, he said he only wanted to tell us that the sets had accidentally been sent to Tennessee, so they would be "sketchy." The relieved audience cheered when he said both principal singers were there. I was very impressed with the opera, especially a duet, which would later become iconic, called "Miro, o Norma." I later told my roommate, "The sets weren't much, but the singing was pretty good." I had never heard of either Joan Sutherland or Marilyn Horne. I didn't see Norma again until decades later, at the Washington National Opera. They were probably pleased when I commented later that their sets were much better than the ones I saw at the Met.
The Met production of NORMA on PBS was verismo Bellini, seemingly set in Appalachia, with a sooty faced Norma. I felt sorry for the cast as the production was at war with Bel Canto. It was better and worse than the prior NORMA at The Met. The best NORMA I ever saw was at the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park with vocal power and simplicity that roused the audience with Anton Coppola as conductor.
I preferred Caballe to Callas. It could be I'm biased because, in the late 80's at the Wiener Staatsoper, I saw her perform a cameo role. She brought down the house!
I was transfixed by the Sutherland/Horne duet. That's definitely one for the history books! By the way, who was the conductor for the duet?
Didn't know Dame Sutherland's husband was Bonynge. Glad I can learn something new every day!
An aside: I was scheduled for an Australian/New Zealand tour in early 2020 only because I wanted to attend an opera down under! Because of my health plus Covid, I canceled. It's still on my bucket list!
Joan's husband Ricky aka Richard Bonynge. Bonynge also did NORMA at NYCity Opera after his days at The Met were over. And I heard Sills do it at Symphony Hall in Newark. None of those efforts were inspired.
Luckily, in the late 70's, I heard my first opera with Sills in Minneapolis. I think it was "Manon". Then I read Sill's book, "Bubbles". I can't imagine being a great opera singer and having a deaf daughter and a mentally disabled son.
I live in South Dakota so I am "opera land locked", except for USD which has a great opera program. I'm waiting for the Covid crap scare to be over so I can go back to Vienna where I lived for 4 years.
This column brought back fond memories. I was a graduate student in Georgia and knew almost nothing about opera, so long ago out of curiosity I went to hear the touring Metropolitan Opera in Atlanta. The audience gasped in horror when (Rudolf Bing)? walked on stage at the start. But, he said he only wanted to tell us that the sets had accidentally been sent to Tennessee, so they would be "sketchy." The relieved audience cheered when he said both principal singers were there. I was very impressed with the opera, especially a duet, which would later become iconic, called "Miro, o Norma." I later told my roommate, "The sets weren't much, but the singing was pretty good." I had never heard of either Joan Sutherland or Marilyn Horne. I didn't see Norma again until decades later, at the Washington National Opera. They were probably pleased when I commented later that their sets were much better than the ones I saw at the Met.
To be honest with you, the opera is so gorgeous who needs sets! 😂😂 I love memories like these thank you for sharing ❤️
The set designers if not all of them.
Thank you
The Met production of NORMA on PBS was verismo Bellini, seemingly set in Appalachia, with a sooty faced Norma. I felt sorry for the cast as the production was at war with Bel Canto. It was better and worse than the prior NORMA at The Met. The best NORMA I ever saw was at the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park with vocal power and simplicity that roused the audience with Anton Coppola as conductor.
I preferred Caballe to Callas. It could be I'm biased because, in the late 80's at the Wiener Staatsoper, I saw her perform a cameo role. She brought down the house!
I was transfixed by the Sutherland/Horne duet. That's definitely one for the history books! By the way, who was the conductor for the duet?
Thank you!
Biased is ok I think :) And I am so darn jealous. So amazing you were there! She is truly extraordinary - I am with you!
And re: the conductor of the duet, I believe it's Richard Bonynge at the Sydney Opera House in 1986! Isn't it just magical!?!
Absolutely!
Didn't know Dame Sutherland's husband was Bonynge. Glad I can learn something new every day!
An aside: I was scheduled for an Australian/New Zealand tour in early 2020 only because I wanted to attend an opera down under! Because of my health plus Covid, I canceled. It's still on my bucket list!
Joan's husband Ricky aka Richard Bonynge. Bonynge also did NORMA at NYCity Opera after his days at The Met were over. And I heard Sills do it at Symphony Hall in Newark. None of those efforts were inspired.
Luckily, in the late 70's, I heard my first opera with Sills in Minneapolis. I think it was "Manon". Then I read Sill's book, "Bubbles". I can't imagine being a great opera singer and having a deaf daughter and a mentally disabled son.
I live in South Dakota so I am "opera land locked", except for USD which has a great opera program. I'm waiting for the Covid crap scare to be over so I can go back to Vienna where I lived for 4 years.
Not sure if you've listening to this interview with Beverly Sill's but it is so good. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZvpXzxvbBc
I have mad respect for her, what a star and hero
(you might like this post too https://www.youroperadaily.com/p/opera-daily-roberto-devereux-and)
Was going to post this but the Verdi Requiem at the Met on Sept 11th is going to air on PBS - https://www.playbill.com/article/metropolitan-operas-september-11-performance-of-verdis-requiem-to-air-on-pbs
Wow Leyla Gencer singing this was so gripping and so emotional - I was in orbit!
I agree - it's intense but so good. IMO one of the most underrated sopranos that ever lived.