Stormy sunset over Santa Fe Opera from the terrace of the Opera Club 7.45 August 23 2010
We have had four great days hee in New Mexico and at the Santa Fe Opera. Last night's performance of The Magic Flute was a joy, inspite of the relatively cols and wet evening. Tim Albery's production was a model of no-nonsense getting to the heart of the opera with no gimmicks. And Tobias Hoheisel's sets and costumes matched the exceptionally intelligent and sensitive approach of the director, realising that you you don't HAVE to be cute. So it was left to a very well chosen cast to deliver the pleasures and meaning of the piece - and to a rather good conductor who was new to me, Lawrence Renes.
Joshua Hopkins was a marvellous Papageno, gorgeous in voice and charming in all other departments. A real treasure of an artist who has had a good year here - he was the excellent Sid in Albert Herring. And the Tamino/Pamina couple were musical, vocal, and personal delights as well - Charles Castronovo and Ekaterina Siurina. Santa Fe's casting is always top notch so none of this is a surprise - just another of the great pleasures of being here. The company is in wonderful hands just now with Charles Mackay having settled in as the third General Director of this great institution following John Crosby and Richard Gaddes.
We are off on the long journey home now - with a short diversion today to visit friends in Durango, Colorado.
what a fantastic trip you've been on - I'm so envious looking at the pictures! xxxx
Posted by: eliza | August 24, 2010 at 02:02 PM