Mobile
- Ken Howard / Metropolitan Opera
- THE FIRST EMPEROR Placido Domingo as Emperor Qin and Haijing Fu as the Chief Minister
Page 3 of 3
I like the story of the ancient Chinese ruler who ruthlessly united his vast nation and built the Great Wall. There's real poetry in the ill-starred romance between Princess Yueyang and musician Gao Jianli, the captive charged by Qin to write a new national anthem. That poetry in Ha Jin's libretto is nicely paired with charm and mystery as a Yin-Yang Master and a Shaman share the narrative chores.
The ceremonial style works well until the denouement. Although there is plenty of color and sacrament as we reach the end of Act 2, Ha's libretto misses the melodrama that could elevate this opera to sublimity. It's all there ready to be dramatized: tragically mistimed communications between the lovers reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet. Right now, these wrenching plot points are solemnly narrated when they should be passionately enacted.
Meanwhile, you will not be disappointed by anyone in this fine cast. Paul Groves and Elizabeth Futral make a luscious couple as Gao and his princess, but do watch out for Wu Hsing-Kuo and Michelle DeYoung as the narrators. Both are as spectacular as their costumes.
West-Eastern Divan Orchestra (**3/4) -- After reading all the accolades heaped upon the Divan, I was shocked by what I heard before intermission. The "Leonore Overture #3" lacked the bite and precision Beethoven demands, and Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante for Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, and Horn wasn't energized enough to command attention.
Fortunately, the ensemble came back more focused and intent for the second half of the program. Divan's playing in the Brahms Symphony #1 was as sharp and thrusting as I've ever heard in the outer allegro movements. Helped by the Carnegie's fine acoustic, the richness of the slower inner movements bloomed with fresh color and detail.
The long, extended ovation for the Brahms was well-deserved. We were then rewarded with an unusually generous encore, the "Prelude and Liebestod" from Tristan and Isolde. A parting reminder that it was Barenboim who had championed the performance of Wagner in Israel some years back. The beauty and audacity of this rendition made an irrefutable argument.
Don't be scared off by the Carnegie Hall brand. Ticket prices are quite competitive, comparable to what you'd pay for prime events here at the PAC -- and notably less than what you'd pay on Broadway or at the Met.
Speaking of 3.00000
-
You're Getting Warmer
Dec 12, 2007 -
When White Folks Mess Up
Dec 5, 2007 -
Viva la vie Boheme
Dec 5, 2007 - More »
Latest in Performing Arts
-
Bach in a Hard Place
Jun 6, 2018 -
A Stand-Up Comedy Lesson From a Local Pro
Apr 12, 2017 -
12 Days of Theater
Dec 7, 2016 - More »
More by Perry Tannenbaum
Calendar
-
WHISKEY TASTING: VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS WHISKY @ Elizabeth Parlour Room
- Wed., April 17, 6-8 p.m.
-
-
NEW WINDOW GALLERY-Pat Rhea-ACRYLIC PAINTINGS-April 05-30 2024 VALDESE, NC 28690 @ New Window Gallery/Play It Again Records
- Through April 30, 12 p.m.
-
An Evening With Phil Rosenthal Of "Somebody Feed Phil" @ Knight Theater
- Fri., April 19, 7 p.m.
-
-
Kountry Wayne: The King Of Hearts Tour @ Ovens Auditorium
- Fri., April 19, 7:30 p.m.
-
-
Trap & Paint + Karaoke @ Zodiac Bar & Grill
- Fridays, 8-10 p.m. Continues through June 28
-
-
Halloween Guide 2016
31 spooktacular things to do in the Q.C.
-
The joy and pain of comedian Oletha Cuevas 2
-
Jessica Moss Makes the Gantt Center a Safe Zone for Local Artists 2
Flipping the script
