(Lawrence K. Ho/Los Angeles Times)I saw Pavoratti shortly before he died at the Hollywood Bowl. He was old, unhealthy, and well, close to death. So, he didn't sound great and although I was happy to experience a master live, I was also sad not to hear him in his prime. I thought he kinda phoned it in.
Placido Domingo did no such thing. He rocked it. I never heard him live before he was a senior citizen, but as someone close to being a septuagenarian he sounded awesome. He played Siegmund, this guy who falls in love with his twin sister, not knowing that she looks so much like him because of shared biology.
Once they figure that out though, it doesn't stop the music from reaching an ecstatic crescendo, if you know what I mean. What does eventually stop him is a sword...
The second cycle of The Ring, called Die Walkure, was more enjoyable than the first installment. Maybe I liked the music better, maybe I liked the more ensemble nature of the sisters, maybe I had gotten used to the crazy world Freyer is creating.
Yes, my aunt and I spend six hours at Dorothy Chandler, which is a long time to sit in a seat. But it was worth it for the lighting design and the windy smoke and the sad voices and the extended costumes. You can go for $20. Bring snacks.
[Read related.]
I wish I could have seen dude.
ReplyDelete