The Passion of Opera

Though I am familiar with Philip Glass' musical style and his immense impact on the world of opera and classical music at large, I have never viewed or attended a performance of one of his operas and was quite excited to do so. This production is shared by several opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera, and is quite excellent. While I thought some of the typical Glass musical elements could have been pushed even a bit further here, the performance was quite good and, of course, mesmeric. This performance was given the day after the death of Nelson Mandela. Someone took the stage before the performance began and lead a one minute (really two minutes) standing period moment of silence. The trifecta of Gandhi on stage singing, Martin Luther King on stage acting, and Mandela in our minds was reflectively poignant.  General information & synopsis:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satyagraha_(opera) Satyagraha | Philip Glass Credits: Director | Phelim McDermot...

Besides, of course, Der Ring des Nibelungen , Parsifal likely stands as Wagner's most monumental work. Having seen the full  Ring  and Tannhäuser  in Vienna, I was excited to keep checking things off the very top of the list of Wagnerian operas. The conceptualization of this production was mixed. I have often debated at length how productions that set an opera in a different time period or are abstract (like this one) must not only not distract from the opera, but must do more than just provide an acceptable veneer for an alternate setting. They must truly add something beyond what the production offers in its traditional setting. The concept of this production definitely attempted to do so but lacked the artistic unity to fully succeed. The performances, however, were simply rock-solid and perfectly in the vein demanded by Wagnerian roles.  General information & synopsis:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parsifal Parsifal | Richard Wagner Credits: ...

Going into Wozzeck I wasn't sure what to expect. I've studied the opera in the abstract in music history courses but I've never seen it live. It was really exciting to finally have the opportunity to see such a seminal, if unusual work. It was great that the Royal Opera House opened up the Ampitheatre level exclusively for students and that it was pretty much completely full of them. This production of Wozzeck was great vocally but even better in its conceptualization and the singer's abilities acting within that context. Synopsis and general information:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wozzeck Wozzeck | Alban Berg Credits: Director | Keith Warner Set Designer | Stefanos Lazaridis Costume Designer | Marie-Jeanne Lecca Lighting Designer | Rick Fisher Performers: Captain | Gerhard Siegel Wozzeck | Simon Keenlyside Andres | John Easterlin Marie | Karita Mattila Child | Sebastian Wright Margret | Allison Cook Doctor | John Tomlinson Drum Major | Endri...

I've arrived in London! The next couple of days will probably be a lot of getting settled and learning my way around but I hope to be seeing some music quite soon!!

As my departure date for London on September 24th rapidly approaches I had the thought that I would like to blog so family and friends can read about my travels, as I did when I was in Vienna. I will post all my musical related reviews, etc. here while I travel, but also copy them to that blog. With this blog's recent incredible  success, skyrocketing first through 3,000, then 4,000, and now over 5,000 views per month and on its way to 30,000 lifetime views, I thought it would be a good time to introduce the second blog again. Once I am no longer studying abroad in London I plan to transform the second blog into a permanent travel blog. The title of the blog has changed from A Sojourn in Vienna  to To Float on a Wayward Wind , reflecting its new, broader character. Check it out at floatonawaywardwind.blogspot.com and see what I'm up to in London and beyond!