Never go back?

Seeing Fidelio on stage again after seven years was something of a shock; not just because of the time warp element, seeing that set again, those costumes and some of the same singers. No, what was most affecting was how magnificently it still works, a conclusion one could never presume to reach after such a long time. It is of course a terribly moving opera, but I have to think that a bit of nostalgia was blended in with the emotion. As soon as the early Act one quartet began I knew precisely why it was right for us to bring the show back to life. And when we see the prisoners for the first time and the audible once again emit their gasps (has there been a more chilling moment of stage business in London in the last decade?) the correctness of the decision was rammed home. I wouldn't have thought it possible to be more proud to be associated with the production than we were in 2003. Along with our terrific Don Giovanni, the next two weeks will be a lovely experience.
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There is a fresh burst of creative energy and anticipation in the theatre this week with the arrival of the Don Giovanni and Fidelio productions. That the sun has arrived with them is a bonus that didn't seem possible on Saturday as we shivered through the final Carmen performance. There is added interest too because Fidelio is a revival; can the magic work again? Everything is possible with the cast we have and the rehearsal room has been happy, strong and together so we shall see. Don G promises much but as is our habit we try not to get too excited about productions based on their rehearsal runs....but Stephen Barlow is an immensely talented director...

It was lovely to see a great review for Hannah Pedley (our 'second' Carmen) in the Sunday Times. It was a big step up for her and it is great for her to receive some coverage and praise. Nice, too, of the ST to use my photograph of her in the review!
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Francesca podcast

Have a listen to this podcast on Francesca da Rimini with me talking to Robert Thicknesse about the opera
http://web.me.com/perillo2/Site_2/OHP_Podcast_site.html
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Sally brought Fiora into the theatre before the show last night which gave her pause for thought when confronted by hundreds of strangers. Her trepidation didn't last long and soon she was marching around the picnic deck, approaching tables. Some of the diners cooed at the approaching child (unaware that Fiora was simply coveting their food); others had a look in their eyes that you see at airports which more or less says 'oh please God don't let that child be sitting next to me'. They need not have worried because she was off to the swings before the first bell.

Yesterday the eclipse became total as both Sarah and Kate were off sick which doesn't help right now. Things will ease from 'lunacy' to mere 'crazy' once Carmen ends tomorrow. I did a podcast on Francesca da Rimini with Robert Thicknesse and in the editing process had cause to listen again to Zandonai's music. Quite frankly it is staggering at times and his reputation as a ravishingly good writer for the orchestra will be upheld. It actually makes me quite cross to know that this school of composers are neglected at all. Like L'amore dei tre Re, I know for certain that our audiences will be stunned by this music. There is a sense that this latest of all Italian opera managed to distil a hundred or more years of operatic stylistic development into an almost perfect, potent brew. The next four weeks will see excessive evangelical zeal in FDR's cause. It MUST be seen and heard. Pass it on.
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Back again

After two evenings off it is back into the fray tonight with several events at the performance to deal with. The past two weeks have shown the capricious nature of public opinion with wildly differing feedback on the first two productions. Taken across the piece I'd say we have done an average of seven out of ten which given the challenges presented by both Carmen and Pelleas is quite an achievement. The next two productions offer something again and the final two are now also in production; mouthwatering reports emanate from all rehearsal rooms. This also means that we have entered the period known in the office as The Eclipse - when all six productions are 'live'. At this point of the season James manages the not inconsiderable feat of charging around managing the productions whilst simultaneously adopting the Thousand Yard Stare. All of this and the worries of the World Cup to consider. One can easily discern the optimism of the English by looking at the Fidelio sales. All performances are either sold out or down to a last few - except for the one on the evening of the World Cup Final.
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A week has passed since my last contribution to this blog. It was a week of high drama and deluge, heat and great rewards for the company: Pelleas has mesmerised and Carmen has delivered the goods in two utterly different productions that have perfectly encapsulated the versatility of OHP. The challenge that Pelleas presents was made all the more daunting by first night monsoon rain one couldn't help feeling was trying to tell us something. It began to fall at 6pm and didn't cease until we locked the gates five hours later. But the show triumphed over adversity and in particular the CLS played for its lives. We may have a roof but the damp and chill permeate everything and the company fought hard. By the second night of Pelleas, the climate presented us with sun and warmth, like an apologetic, defeated bully. Looking at the forecast, it seems the rain will try again tonight, but it won't win.
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A week has passed since my last contribution to this blog. It was a week of high drama and deluge, heat and great rewards for the company: Pelleas has mesmerised and Carmen has delivered the goods in two utterly different productions that have perfectly encapsulated the versatility of OHP. The challenge that Pelleas presents was made all the more daunting by first night monsoon rain one couldn't help feeling was trying to tell us something. It began to fall at 6pm and didn't cease until we locked the gates five hours later. But the show triumphed over adversity and in particular the CLS played for its lives. We may have a roof but the damp and chill permeate everything and the company fought hard. By the second night of Pelleas, the climate presented us with sun and warmth, like an apologetic, defeated bully. Looking at the forecast, it seems the rain will try again tonight, but it won't win.
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