Elettra, the fiercely wonderful Emma Bell, stands next to a pole that reads "Responsible Citizenship". Hardly a candidate for that, I would venture (Elettra, that is - Emma is a lovely citizen!):
The ravishing Rosemary Joshua as Ilia, sings under the watchful horns of a Rhino. Naturally:
And of course the basses endure the Marching of the Penguin above them:
It's always the little things, isn't it?
Speaking of education, this is off topic, but I found the following video endlessly interesting, revolutionary and one of the most intelligent, hopeful and improbable things I've seen in a long time:
And finally, a bit more on topic, but also intensely related to the above video. Tonight's performance of Idomeneo will be dedicated to the late, and truly great Sir Charles Mackerras. His presence has been deeply felt during this week of rehearsals and will surely be quite overwhelming this evening. We singers have been speaking non-stop of his deep impact on us as musicians, and it's clear that his impact on not only the music business, but on the many people he touched during his enormous life was beyond profound. I am eternally grateful that the world experienced his passion, his expertise, his enthusiasm, his creativity, and his youthful spirit - all the things Ken Robinson is trying to salvage in his approach to education. I know I am richer for it. And I'm certain that of all people, Sir Charles would have loved making music underneath penguins. Ain't life grand?
Tonight is for you, Sir Charles - I hope we will do you proud!
P.S. If you liked the above video, here is his sequel from a few years later:
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6 comments:
Brilliant post again, Joyce. Rehearsing under paper penguins must be indeed surreal, but hey you have a trouser role, a perfect match to the surroundings.
Maybe next year the Ed. festival can have performances in some of the rehearsal spaces they use. I'd find it really interesting having a traditionally staged opera in the round...in a school gym, or a disused council building. In a beautiful city like Edinburgh there must be some really architecturally fascinating spaces to use (e.g. how about the Land Form in front of the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art? I can surely imagine Norma or La Vestale on it!) Here's a pic I took of it: Flickr
More penguins! I recently saw stuffed penguins being tossed about during the party scene in a Don Giovanni in Munich, and included a comment about it in a blog post. Now the use of penguins in opera has become a running joke among my friends. May I link to your post?
A penguin at the opera # 3:
Vienna 2006 - Staatsoper - Romeo et Juliette (Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazón): A distinguished English gentleman, sitting in a "Loge"/box next to me, held a large, inflated plastic penguin in his hands! At curtain calls he stood up and threw it down onto the stage. Villazón picked it up, and he and Anna Netrebko put it between them when they took their bows. ;-))
Idomeneo was superb - a good tribute to Sir Charles indeed - and I look forward to Sunday's recital.
I was at your 'Conversation' earlier this week and was very moved by your words to the young singer in the front row. I am an 'older' singer in the Edinburgh Festival Chorus (as opposed to the SCO Chorus of tonight's performance). I have never taken any ability I might have for granted and still thoroughly enjoy being part of 'the music', as you mentioned. Awareness of the 'no guarantees' just makes you appreciate it all the more!
Long may it last, and thanks for your inspiration...
As a kindergarten teacher, I am well- versed in the hazards of "petites toilets"! Sounds like a wonderful experience, though. I never tire of reading such beautifully written words about another person's passion. Thank you!
I am glad to read that BBC Radio 3 will broadcast IDOMENEO from the Edinburgh International Festival at 6pm on Saturday 18 September!!
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