We are doing Madama Butterfly and L’italiana in Algeri in the Anchorage Opera this year. I’m a trumpet player so I get an inside scoop on the Anchorage Opera and Anchorage Symphony performances. I love your videos! I compare them to my experience from the back of the orchestra. I also like hearing you explain things to the new comers or people that have no idea about music. This is a great channel! Thanks for everything!!
I love opera, but there is not actual opera house in my country, so I have never actually been to one, only concerts, recitals and masterclasses. That's why I mostly live off recordings, but I really really want to see one in real life. I was going to travel to Paris to go see an opera in late September, but then war broke out in my country. Anyway, I'm glad you're back, nice video!
Thank you. Interesting stuff. I've learned to like opera. Some productions and performances are absolutely stunning. Philip Glass' Akhnaten in Metropolitan comes to mind. I didn't see it live, only saw a video of it, but it was still remarkably brilliant, touching and breathtaking.
@@howimettheopera Akhnaten was broadcasted in television here where I live a couple of months ago. When I read beforehand that there's going to be some kind of a choir of jugglers in the opera, I thought it will be some sort of an awkward Cirque du Soleil imitation or so, but no - they and their juggling art fit in just great. Then again, I don't think they would do anything unintentionally awkward in Metropolitan. Making a compelling opera that lasts two and a half hours, and holds in its grip for all that time, out of Philip Glass' intense, incredible and also kind of introverted music must be a huge task! That's one reason to enjoy good opera. It's fascinating to see people to do what they're great at.
Sounds great! I have never been to the MET but usually their programming is quite varied from classics to new pieces so there should be a good amount of choice based on what you prefer
Live music is a shared experience of audience and musicians/actors. I think phones detract from the immersion as well as distract those that wish to be immersed in your vicinity. By all means allow professional recordings, but the audience should use their senses and be transported to whatever world is created, not worrying about documenting, sharing etc.
hey! thanks for your comment. I completely agree with this and hate when someone near me records anything (even when I go to pop concerts etc). So I don't know how to compromise that with the fact that people sharing cool experiences online tends to attract more newcomers, specially considering how amazing some opera productions look, there is so much potential...Maybe doing more official livestreams, so it can reach more people but it's a controlled recording that doesn't disturb the performers/viewers?
@@howimettheopera Liceu of Barcelona, for instance, organizes several sessions exclusive for under 35 years old audience, with DJ in the intermission and other stuff, and usually invites many influencers that share their experiences in social media. In the end, music is something that takes much time and knowledge, and attracting newcomers might be challenging. The point I guess is to be as instructive as possible without getting neither too technical nor simplistic, what you do very nicely in your videos, by the way.
depends which! I personally have been to three of the ones that I included in the images (arena di Verona, archeveche in Aix en Provence and Opera Holland Park in London) and can 100% confirm they have no amplification. In general the sound is great, I will say the Arena is pretty big so if you are far away it can sound a bit distant but nonetheless it is a very unique experience
Opera has elements in common with movies, but in the movies, the plot doesn't stop for several minutes for a character to sing about their feelings. And recitative flows a lot slower than dialogue. Opera is an adaptation to the lack of sound amplification - speech doesn’t project as well as operatic vocals. So Operas could be commercially viable as lavish spectacles because they could pack in a larger audience. Today this is not the case, so it’s possible to see visually stunning shows without sitting through three hours of badly-paced theater with cookie cutter stories. There is a lot of great music in opera, but one doesn’t have to sit through the opera to hear the good bits of music.
hey! thanks for your two cents. In general, yes of course you are right. But I do think many movies have moments where the characters "monologue" about feeling a certain way, being frustrated with a situation etc, but no action is happening (even in big blockbuster action films). On the other hand more contemporary operas will have a lot of plot and very little stopping, but in their case the music can be a bit more challenging so there is that to consider. Of course using film as a comparison is a way to highlight similarities and differences, but with how long some movies seem to be nowadays (3hs!) it's getting a bit closer.
phone detox? i don't care either way. i'm not a recording sort of person. as long as the people in front of me don't put up their phones and block my view let them record
Genuinely interested to hear what you all think about the whole phone detox discussion ⬇
We are doing Madama Butterfly and L’italiana in Algeri in the Anchorage Opera this year. I’m a trumpet player so I get an inside scoop on the Anchorage Opera and Anchorage Symphony performances. I love your videos! I compare them to my experience from the back of the orchestra. I also like hearing you explain things to the new comers or people that have no idea about music. This is a great channel! Thanks for everything!!
Thank you! That sounds great, two lovely operas so good luck for the season :)
I love opera, but there is not actual opera house in my country, so I have never actually been to one, only concerts, recitals and masterclasses. That's why I mostly live off recordings, but I really really want to see one in real life. I was going to travel to Paris to go see an opera in late September, but then war broke out in my country. Anyway, I'm glad you're back, nice video!
aww, i hope you get to see an amazing opera soon
Thank you. Interesting stuff. I've learned to like opera. Some productions and performances are absolutely stunning. Philip Glass' Akhnaten in Metropolitan comes to mind. I didn't see it live, only saw a video of it, but it was still remarkably brilliant, touching and breathtaking.
I also saw clips of it and would have love to see it live! hopefully they make something available online because it looked like a great production
@@howimettheopera Akhnaten was broadcasted in television here where I live a couple of months ago. When I read beforehand that there's going to be some kind of a choir of jugglers in the opera, I thought it will be some sort of an awkward Cirque du Soleil imitation or so, but no - they and their juggling art fit in just great. Then again, I don't think they would do anything unintentionally awkward in Metropolitan.
Making a compelling opera that lasts two and a half hours, and holds in its grip for all that time, out of Philip Glass' intense, incredible and also kind of introverted music must be a huge task! That's one reason to enjoy good opera. It's fascinating to see people to do what they're great at.
Yes! I might look for an opera performance nearby (or even go to NY which is 3 hours away and go to my father's beloved Metropolitan)
Sounds great! I have never been to the MET but usually their programming is quite varied from classics to new pieces so there should be a good amount of choice based on what you prefer
Live music is a shared experience of audience and musicians/actors. I think phones detract from the immersion as well as distract those that wish to be immersed in your vicinity.
By all means allow professional recordings, but the audience should use their senses and be transported to whatever world is created, not worrying about documenting, sharing etc.
hey! thanks for your comment. I completely agree with this and hate when someone near me records anything (even when I go to pop concerts etc). So I don't know how to compromise that with the fact that people sharing cool experiences online tends to attract more newcomers, specially considering how amazing some opera productions look, there is so much potential...Maybe doing more official livestreams, so it can reach more people but it's a controlled recording that doesn't disturb the performers/viewers?
@@howimettheopera Liceu of Barcelona, for instance, organizes several sessions exclusive for under 35 years old audience, with DJ in the intermission and other stuff, and usually invites many influencers that share their experiences in social media. In the end, music is something that takes much time and knowledge, and attracting newcomers might be challenging. The point I guess is to be as instructive as possible without getting neither too technical nor simplistic, what you do very nicely in your videos, by the way.
@@IlTrittico thank you! that sounds like a cool experience, maybe I'll try to catch one of those performances if I am around Spain sometime soon :)
the intermezzos :D
ooh, La Boheme in space!
background music while you talk?
wait, are operas even in outdoor venues still unamplified? if so, whoa!!
depends which! I personally have been to three of the ones that I included in the images (arena di Verona, archeveche in Aix en Provence and Opera Holland Park in London) and can 100% confirm they have no amplification. In general the sound is great, I will say the Arena is pretty big so if you are far away it can sound a bit distant but nonetheless it is a very unique experience
@@howimettheopera that's amazing
Opera has elements in common with movies, but in the movies, the plot doesn't stop for several minutes for a character to sing about their feelings. And recitative flows a lot slower than dialogue.
Opera is an adaptation to the lack of sound amplification - speech doesn’t project as well as operatic vocals. So Operas could be commercially viable as lavish spectacles because they could pack in a larger audience. Today this is not the case, so it’s possible to see visually stunning shows without sitting through three hours of badly-paced theater with cookie cutter stories.
There is a lot of great music in opera, but one doesn’t have to sit through the opera to hear the good bits of music.
hey! thanks for your two cents. In general, yes of course you are right. But I do think many movies have moments where the characters "monologue" about feeling a certain way, being frustrated with a situation etc, but no action is happening (even in big blockbuster action films). On the other hand more contemporary operas will have a lot of plot and very little stopping, but in their case the music can be a bit more challenging so there is that to consider. Of course using film as a comparison is a way to highlight similarities and differences, but with how long some movies seem to be nowadays (3hs!) it's getting a bit closer.
there are also 1 act operas that are not long
phone? It's 21st century, so... :3 Also, what will they do when bored? :D
phone detox? i don't care either way. i'm not a recording sort of person. as long as the people in front of me don't put up their phones and block my view let them record