Rachel H

23 hours ago, capybara said:

 

A really good idea. Have you got time to write in about this @Rachel.H ?

I tagged the ROH when I mentioned it from my own Twitter feed. I didn't get a reply, but wouldn't necessarily expect one in that context. It'd be interesting to see if they were to implement any suggestion  (I say in hope more than anything else).

I'm genuinely curious to see this, although I think I saw Martin Yates is having a hand with some of the music. No comment, given what I think of his adaptations for 'Manon,' ,Don Q,' and 'Carmen'.............😐

1 hour ago, Dawnstar said:

I have another seating query, if anyone has a good memory. Can anyone remember from the 2006 run (or indeed earlier) of Coppelia if one side or the other of the stalls circle has a better view or if you miss about equal amounts sitting on either side? I want to pick a couple of the cheapest row C side stalls circle tickets & I'm not sure if I'd be better going for one side or the other or if I should split the difference & do one performance left & one performance right!

I prefer to sit on the left for 'Coppelia,' as you get the better view of Coppelius' balcony in he first act. IMHO.

19 minutes ago, jmhopton said:

 

She certainly was going for it in my opinion last Saturday matinee and I too was disappointed when she wasn't cast for it in the cinema relay. But then I saw her do an equally fabulous variation in Concerto so it's swings and roundabouts really. 

To change the subject to cast changes there were a whole list of them read out before last Saturday's matinee. When I went to the main desk in the foyer and asked if they had a cast change list I was told they didn’t do them any more and I either had to copy them manually from their list or photograph it on my phone which I did. Leaving the theatre at the end of the performance I walked past the same desk which now had a pile of cast change lists on it which would probably end up being thrown away as being too late for most people. 

When I asked about a cast change slip on Saturday, the reply was 'oh, just take a quick photo.' I replied, 'not everyone has a smartphone!' I hope I didn't sound too harsh, and I would say at least some feedback has been taken on board by the ROH, as they did make an announcement before curtain up, but it would be nice to be able to have a sheet to read at leisure.

Perhaps they could place the paper a little higher up, so any changes are easier to see, and make a note of. The programme desk can get very congested, it seems to me, as people are hurriedly trying to take any cast changes on board. Placing the note a little higher might avoid some of this congestion. Just a thought 🙂 

I saw the company dancing 'Jewels' in Berlin about 2 1/2 years ago, but saw Iana Salenko in 'Rubies.'  It was interesting comparison, as the Royal was performing 'Jewels' at the same time in London. I got the feeling the Berlin company was still 'finding it's way' with 'Jewels' at the time, but thought they looked at their best in 'Diamonds.' 

Great photos too!

15 minutes ago, alison said:

 

I don't think it's ever been done in all the time I've been watching the RB, and I'm not sure it ever will be.  (Didn't we have this conversation a few months ago?)  Quite a shame, in a way, as I'd loved to have seen Zenaida Yanowsky reprise her Carabosse.  Mind you, I suppose people like David Drew and Derek Rencher must have made that transition in the past?

David Drew and Derek Rencher's names occurred to me too as having made that transition. 

I'd be very happy if they reverted back to the Leighton Lucas orchestrations.  I don't know why the cello solo in the final act is there, as for me, it kills the mood, and breaks the tension of the piece at that point (however well played it is). If I like the music,  it goes a long way with me.

 I'm not a fan of the new lighting either.

That said I think the dancers have given fantastic performances 🙂 Seen 3, with 1 to go.

22 hours ago, Lizbie1 said:

 

I *long* for the return of park and bark sometimes (and I think some singers, if they are famous enough, do exactly that regardless of directors).

Makes me think of a wonderful quote I heard once, which was 'Mr Pavarotti does not do steps.' 🙂

1 hour ago, ninamargaret said:

For more years,than I can remember, designers have come,up with splendid sets that are fine for an audience sitting about 15 rows back and bang in the middle. Ballet probably a bit more tricky in that sets tend to be pushed more to the,sides to allow space for dancers, but in the main the poor paying audience frequently gets a raw deal.

I've experienced this with the opera a couple of times recently. For the current production of 'Lucia di Lammermoor,' the front cloth was so low down, that the chorus in particular were  headless for much of the time. I don't expect to see all of the action where I  sit by any means, but can't say I enjoy looking at headless singers! This also happened with 'Lessons in Love and Violence.' Simple solution - raise the front cloth by 5 - 10 ft, and VOILA!!!!! No headless singers. It looked like the productions had been designed with viewing from the stalls, Stalls Circle and Grand Tier viewing in mind only. Ditto 'Billy Budd,' where Jaques Imbrallio was completely invisible during his main aria! This could have been solved if they'd brought him forward by a couple of foot. If someone from the production teams had thought to go round to all parts of the house in the rehearsal process these things could have been picked up on.

I must admit, I've taken to referring  the 'left' and 'right' sides at the ROH 'bar side' and 'far side.'

Delighted to hear they are now stocking the magazines again. I must remember to go and investigate.

16 hours ago, jmhopton said:

Might be able to see Giselle at Sadlers Wells this November and was wondering about seating as I haven't been there for ages. Is it better to be on the back row of the lower circle or nearer the front of the upper circle? I don't usually sit in the stalls as I'm not very tall and dread getting someone tall in front of me. 

I'd go for front of the Upper (2nd) Circle rather than back of the 1st Circle, as the overhang from the Upper Circle might affect the sound.  The rake is good too. IMHO of course 🙂

21 hours ago, Jan McNulty said:

 

Hello Rachel H and welcome to the Forum!

Thank you 🙂

45 minutes ago, JNC said:

Can non members just turn up? Or do you need to be with a member? 

Non members can indeed 'just turn up.' Hope you, and any others (members, and non members) are able to come along.

Oh no!! Very sad news. Condolences to his family. I will always remember him very fondly.