MJW

1 hour ago, JohnS said:

Opening night was Friday so I thought I’d start a thread as I saw Thursday’s General Rehearsal. Much to admire musically with Tony Pappano conjuring his magic from soloists, chorus and orchestra. Jamie Barton’s Azucena is a must see, simply astounding. But I’m afraid the production did little for me with soldiers, gypsies etc seemingly having escaped from a cartoon strip which I thought undermined the drama, the pathos of the final scene shattered by the chorus’s cavortings. That said I’m planning to see a performance towards the end of the run if all goes well, largely for the musical excellence but I’m also hoping a second viewing will be easier on the eye as at least there shouldn’t be too many surprises.
 

 

The production had a very poor review in the Telegraph over the weekend. I'm not an opera fan anyway, but bizarre stagings etc don't exactly add to the appeal! 

51 minutes ago, JohnS said:

I’d be surprised if there’ll be further casting details before booking opens which I think is only days away for patrons. I know last year casting details for all 5 principal Nutcracker roles were published well in advance of booking but I thought those details were all announced at the same time. 

The Friends Magazine shows a 9 December matinee ‘relaxed performance’ but on the website this is a Paul Hamlyn invited audience performance and there are also a couple of schools matinees - 6 & 7 December. I haven’t seen any casting details for these extra performances and it will be interesting to see who’s cast: the performances are a few weeks before those dancers scheduled for just one SPF/Prince performance and normally dancers tend not to have too long between their performances.

 

I’m assuming there are two casts for Dante as there’s a matinee and evening performance on 2 December but there’s no indication so far as to which performances are cast 1 and cast 2 so at the moment it’s pot luck if people are wishing to see both casts (unless booking for the 2 December double).

That rather begs the question if they can do it for 22/23 why not for 23/34! I can't book until the 6th July so hopefully more information may be forthcoming before then!

The Foundation has posted some Cinderella videos on its YouTube account- 

Step-sisters - 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxFJZ2QWc38&t=624s

Spring and Summer variations - 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9jTrvzXqfw&t=260s

49 minutes ago, JohnS said:

Please see the link for Don Q, The Cellist double bill and Nutcracker casting. Nothing as yet for Dante.

 

https://content.app-us1.com/vz2oy/2023/06/01/d047b00c-036d-4666-ba45-63d493b9e5f0.pdf?id=21609568&utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Friends++E-News:+An+exclusive+Il+trovatore+offer&utm_campaign=230602_membership_enews_friend

 

 

Hopefully they will release casting for the Nutcracker/Hans-Peter, Clara and Drosselmeyer before booking opens - my decision over dates depends more on them!

Not having seen any of the three pieces (obviously in the case of the new McGregor!), I'm going with an open mind and hope to be pleasantly surprised (having been blown away by Woolf Works I am hoping for the same reaction!).

Going to opening night next Friday.

23 minutes ago, Linnzi5 said:

Arrgh! Wisdom teeth are not very wise! Or is it that our bodies are not wise for not needing them as much as in previous generations? Mine were impacted, which resulted in surgery. I then had an allergic reaction to a drug given during the surgery. Not a nice experience. I feel your pain and hope all is ok  

Thank you!

32 minutes ago, Jan McNulty said:

Gosh, at least they are looking after you going forward.    Well the NHS has spent a lot on me too this year.  Thank goodness for our NHS but I think between us we have bankrupted it!

I know! My scans alone (which have to be done at the private hospital next door as they have the specialist scanner) must cost a small fortune. I keep hoping they say its all fine and don't need to see me again but provided my scans today are clear they have said I will have to go back again in a year!

39 minutes ago, Jan McNulty said:

 

I hope you are OK and it's nothing too serious @MJW.

Thank you for asking! It was just my fourth (!) follow up after having an impacted wisdom tooth removed in 2021. Due to a very rare situation I have to have a bone scan every six months. If you wonder why the NHS has no money it’s been spent in me!

Lovely reviews from @Nogoat and @Geoff W which also helps pass the time and whilst waiting for my hospital appointment!

14 minutes ago, capybara said:

The RB needs to end its home seasons with a triple bill in which the whole company, including all the Principals, can be seen. Having some dancers ‘disappear’ for months in London, especially when those periods are combined with tours abroad and the summer break, is disappointing to put it mildly.

Funnily enough I was thinking the same thing whilst in the garden - James Hay for example posted over the weekend that he had now finished for the season and I thought at the time - really?

36 minutes ago, Sabine0308 said:

Has anyone a cast sheet from this afternoon? Naghdi, Ball, Magri was the main cast. But there were other dancers who catched my eye and I want to check them out.

Side note: I recognized Marco Masciari as one of the "servants" for the Prince during his first entry (on the hunt). AndI was surprised that he didn't have a decent role. I mean...serving a drink could be done by an extra. I felt sorry for this wonderful dancer.

I thought exactly the same thing about Masciari - for someone who has played the Jester in Cinderella and Evans in I now, I then (Woolf Works) it was rather a waste of his considerable talent.

Just got back from this afternoon's Encore -  what a superb performance from Yasmin Naghdi. A complete perfectionist !

Kristen McNally a wonderful Carabosse (as per usual!) and Matty Ball the perfect prince. Shout out to Calvin Richardson whose talents I thought were rather wasted as Floreston - hopefully Florimund in the next run"

Seeing @oncnp's post above reminded me to check the booking dates for next season, which are:

Liam Boswell hopefully - certainly been given high profile roles recently so presumably Management recognise his qualities.

Perhaps it’s too soon for Marco Masciari but     I suspect he will move up the ranks quickly. He certainly has something about him!

I used to go there for lectures when I was at LSE many moons ago - glad its being put to more fulfilling use !

Also row H of the Stalls - left and right hand sides (but not the central section) have uninterrupted views as they have the stairwells in front of them.

Separately, why is the extreme ends of the stalls circle always curtained off for ballet performances? They are available for opera. I appreciate the views aren't brilliant but no worse than the boxes above.

Are they worried that ballet fans will get overexcited and hurl themselves on top of the orchestra?

15 minutes ago, oncnp said:

Like Water for Choc has been added per ROH IG

But still no sign of the Ashton triple !

5 minutes ago, oncnp said:

Van Cleef and Arpels got a mention for their sponsorship of Nutcracker but you're right, a logo would have made it much plainer 

Or just general funding (rather than performance specific) which entitles a company to have its logo etc on the cast sheet (just as an example).

I know this isn't quite the same thing but the NG's current Impressionism exhibition highlights the company sponsors - 

https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/exhibitions/after-impressionism-inventing-modern-art

40 minutes ago, oncnp said:

 

Luxury firms such as Boodles, Van Cleef and Arpels and Rolex do a fair amount of sponsoring. Cartier (and I'm sure there are others) have used RB dancers for private performances. 

If you look at the cast sheets for example there is no advertising on there at all - I'm not suggesting they should be littered with company logos but still something like "This performance is supported by X" would be seen by thousands. 

I've a meeting with my firm's boss tomorrow - I'm tempted to suggest it 😁

2 hours ago, li tai po said:

Every time I hear the Royal Opera House bleating on about their current financial position, I suggest they approach BP for a donation.

Whilst I don't disagree, I'm not sure many organisations would be too willing to be publicly associated with BP; look at the issues that the British Museum has with their sponsorship. 

Given ROH has a sizable wealthy audience (a smallish minority perhaps of the total but still..) I'm surprised that private banks or asset advisors for example aren't falling over themselves to offer sponsorship. Credit Suisse (perhaps unfortunately given what has happened to them) has sponsored exhibitions at the National Gallery for some years now.

9 hours ago, Sim said:

I loved them last time.  I’m missing tonight because of tomorrow’s train strike, but have a ticket to their second show.  

Then I think you will be in for a treat later this month. SB is not my favourite piece in the repertoire but I have warmed to it over the years. James Hay and Arkane Takade made a lovely couple and the rest of the cast were on top form.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CsHmWO1oxx8/

Tonight's cast sheet -

https://www.roh.org.uk/tickets-and-events/40/the-sleeping-beauty-by-marius-petipa/cast-list/51604

I see that the RB Sinfonia are playing this evening - does that happen often as I can't recall having been to a performance where they have been playing?

Off on Thursday evening to see Akane Takada but mainly James Hay. Hopefully the train strike the following day won't leave me stranded in London until Saturday!

Slightly off topic but apparently the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are coming to our local Coronation Big Lunch on Sunday...they don't live that far away so not far for them to come and the Duchess has been before (as Countess of Wessex).