tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949086046279498177.post5068527766301176424..comments2023-12-27T09:38:56.562+01:00Comments on Opera Cake: Munich Opera Festival 2010: The Silent WomanOpera Cakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08940773671378765685noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949086046279498177.post-83473757812343943482010-07-25T16:01:34.727+02:002010-07-25T16:01:34.727+02:00Many thanks David! I'm glad you noticed Borche...Many thanks David! I'm glad you noticed Borchev too. Last year during the Festival in Munich of all the opera stars I was especially impressed by Borchev and Sindram. <br /><br />Wow! If it's tougher to sing Aminta than Zerbinetta then it's not a surprise that the opera is rarely staged. ;)<br /><br />On the other hand, what you say about Hawlata doesn't surprise me. It's been 5 years that he's spoiling the shows he's in. <br /><br />I have a ticket for the 3rd show. Can't wait :)Opera Cakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08940773671378765685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949086046279498177.post-72210654841482615702010-07-25T12:32:51.270+02:002010-07-25T12:32:51.270+02:00I saw Die Schweigsame Frau on Friday 23 July. It w...I saw Die Schweigsame Frau on Friday 23 July. It was an absolute triumph. What a revelation for a Strauss lover to discover a new masterpiece, very convincingly performed and staged. The end of the first act was the most exhilarating riot of colour, music and activity. As with other Strauss comdedies (the commedia dell'arte in Ariadne, and the final scene in Rosenkavalier) the music is just the framework for the director to create the theatrical experience, and he certainly succeeds here. Diana Damrau and Toby Spence are indeed very good. Apparently, when interviwed on radio, Ms Damrau said the role is more difficult than Zerbinetta (Ariadne). For me the star was the barber, Nikolay Borchev, whose stage presence made the drama hang together. Franz Hawlata as the main character was perhaps a little disappointing, not establishing sympathy for the good man turned cantakerous by his hearing affliction. So the final denoument where he renounces his grumpy ways lacks the sense of a Damascene moment. The performance was very warmly received by an appreciative audience. This is a must-see but I suspect the tickets will have gone now. I'm sure this milestone production will ensure we hear a lot more of Die Schweigsame Frau.David Rnoreply@blogger.com