Birdsall

But remember that the National Endowment for the Arts audience participation surveys show that the number of people attending opera has fallen since the surveys began in 1982. Ballet attendance has fallen by an even larger percentage, but more Americans go to the ballet than to the opera--for a variety of reasons. http://www.nea.gov/r...PA-brochure.pdf I did not know this. I remember reading articles saying the audiences for opera were growing, but these articles were in the 90s and maybe they were just saying that (wishful thinking).....I do know that even regional opera companies were throwing in a rare or esoteric opera almost every season, because they could. And the house would not be empty. After the economy went south it has been a huge dose of La Boheme, Traviata, Carmen, etc.......I miss the days when I could actually have hope that a local company might stage an Anna Bolena or Semiramide one day. They were programming enough fringe repetoire that I always had hope. But with today's economy I would laugh at myself to even think for a second that a regional company would stage those operas.

Believe it or not, David Daniels was at one time (about 15 years ago) the best counter tenor around and who actually helped a lot of people accept the sound. He broke down a lot of barriers for the counter tenor. I suspect he will be remembered as one of the ground breaking counter tenors. He made that voice type much more mainstream. But I have heard clips and I know that he is no longer singing at the level he once was. I have heard that he is teaching at least some of the time. It is sad to see singers that I liked one by one fall from grace. It is like watching Gods fall and die. I have to admit that I tend to prefer mezzos (females) doing these roles as trouser roles. But I try to keep an open mind. Sometimes it is nice to see a real man playing a man, but I think the females in drag usually have a richer and more impressive sound. Very few counter tenors seem to be able to color the voice which also means they do not express emotion as well. kfw, if sung well and repeats left intact (which makes it longer but actually is how the da capo arias should be sung) it can actually be a wonderful evening. I look at a Handel opera almost like a concert of one bravura aria after another. Then, it gets exciting (sort of like a ballet gala with one great variation after another). I love to hear what types of embellishments the singer will add to the repeat. It is interesting how some singers (or maybe the conductors or friends who prepare their embellishments) sing ornaments that sound so "right" while others will sing jarring embellishments that just do not sound right at all, and you aren't always sure why. I love extra trills thrown in anytime though! I have seen Guilio Cesare a couple of times. Once well sung (and David Daniels was in the cast as well as the amazing Rosemary Joshua as Cleopatra) and another time horribly sung and it put me to sleep. The performance that was heavily cut is the one that was actually much more boring!!! The art of ornamenting the music makes or breaks Handel for me. If the arias are cut of the repeats (therefore no embellishments) or the singers have ridiculous embellishments that make you laugh out loud.....well, then Handel fails big time. But with the right singers Handel's operas will actually fly by and be a total joy.

Last summer I took a young cousin to see his first ballet, the POB's Giselle. He'd previously been to the opera quite a few times, his parents being committed Wagnerites, but he claimed to have preferred the ballet. (He said this not to me but to his horrified parents.) He cited not having to read titles as one of the reasons for enjoying ballet more. This was one of the main complaints about "supertitles" in opera when they first appeared. Old timers were aghast and said, "You don't go to the opera to READ!" It was literally the end of the world coming! LOL I remember that, b/c I was a newbie back then and was open to the supertitles. With time you stop needing titles for the operas you love to death. You know what they are singing at any moment. But I do think opera became more popular in the 90s up to today due to supertitles. So I think there were definite pros to it, but it made me laugh to hear what your young cousin said. When we stop and think, READING at the opera is a bit ridiculous! LOL I am glad I caught the tail end of opera without supertitles, because I remember doing "homework" before going. You bought recordings and followed along with the libretto to learn what was being sung, etc. You listened over and over in preparation for attending a particular opera, and it enabled you to totally know the music well so when you went to an opera, you swooned b/c you knew the arias. You really didn't need the titles b/c you knew what was going on and knew the music before you ever entered the theatre. I wonder if people today go in "cold" not knowing a thing about the opera or any of the arias. I don't think you could go in "cold" not knowing any of the music or the story if titles had not come about. You would be bored out of your mind totally lost as to what is going on especially with today's stagings. And I think that was unthinkable back in the day to walk into an opera cold. I tell people just getting into opera to buy the opera and listen ahead of time. It pays. It is no different from going to a Madonna concert. People get excited at hearing the songs they know backwards and forwards. With opera you enjoy it so much more the better you know the arias or duets or ensembles....

I didn't see it, but I am glad to hear Dessay is doing better. She has had a lot of problems vocally, in my opinion, ever since her node surgeries. This was an amazing singer early in her career, and I actually thought her career was basically over from reviews I have read in recent years, but it makes me glad to hear that she sang well today. Maybe it is a case of her re-learning her technique after the troubles she has had.

There is also an unspoken sentiment in the West, I believe, that opera is "better" because the composers are major composers often. And the sets are more elaborate and more expensive probably. I do think there is a snobby hierarchy in the West where opera is placed above ballet and considered deeper and more complex music. Ballet, on the other hand, gives you incredible dancing with "light" music most of the time. I also think opera is closer to film or plays b/c the singers act and "speak" (sing actually), so ever since the advent of supertitles above the stage (which was VERY controversial years ago) people understand everything and less people are "afraid" of opera. Of course, it could be argued that ballet dancers act and "speak" (mime), so maybe I am wrong. I suspect the historical aspect of the Tsars preferring ballet (I believe I read this somewhere) has a lot to do with the Russian people loving ballet and the Russians stressing ballet. I think Gergiev wants desperately to make the Mariinsky Opera the more important part of the theatre. He wants it to be more like the West. But I think most of us think that is a big mistake. He has something unique and wonderful and he takes it for granted while trying in vain to make the opera important. Someone needs to shake him and say, "Nobody flies to Russia to see opera, but tons of people fly to Russia to see ballet! Get over it!" LOL

I'm not able to find out where this is playing anywhere in the US. I couldn't either. My guess is that they have not finalized anything with US theaters......it seems the Mariinsky is flying by the seat of its pants this season.....maybe biting off more than the administration could chew.....they announced this as a Feb. 14 show and now a June 6 show but no info about where it is playing.....they still have not announced the entire White Nights Festival and it starts in less than a month, etc. I think the Mariinsky II opening is consuming all their thoughts and energies right now. We'll wait and see if this actually happens!!!

From the write up on that site it sounds like it is going to be "live".....I think we assumed it was taped and would be shown with "live" meaning they captured it on film live. But the write up below makes it sound like it will actually be a live performance transmitted. Bart On Thursday June 6 2013 , one month after the opening of Mariinsky 2 in St Petersburg, a unique event will take place. A special performance of Swan Lake - celebrating the beginning of Russian ballet 275 years ago in the Winter Palace. The performance will be filmed in 3D and simultaneously in 2D and transmitted to more than 50 countries around the world. This will be the first 3D Live transmission of ballet from a historic theatre to a world audience. Cameron Pace Group, the company of James Cameron and Vince Pace, will produce the 3D using the same Oscar-winning technology as Avatar and Life of Pi. In St Petersburg itself the event will be truly exciting. Swan Lake 3D Live will be filmed in the Mariinsky Theatre and simultaneously relayed to a screen in the new state of art auditorium - Mariinsky 2. It's the perfect marriage of art and technology : the best ballet company in the world and the world's most advanced 3D technology.

I just found this site that enables you to search for where the Swan Lake in 3D will play near you. It also enables you to sign up for notifications and updates. http://www.mariinskycinema.com/index.html

Lorna Feijoo is a great artist from what I can tell! I like some of the extra touches the Cuban mise en scene has like Giselle kissing the flowers and giving them to Albrecht before someone backstage pulls her away.

What a shame he isn't dancing regularly with a home company!

Mashinka, I can't think of one, but I am sure someone will coin a term for them! LOL Some call themselves a male contralto or male mezzo instead of counter tenor, but those are not fun terms! I am sure parterre box will come up with a term eventually!

There was an actual site on Hunkentenors, but the person running it stopped posting, and I don't think it even exists anymore. Barihunks always had many more singers to choose from b/c baritones tend to be more fit! LOL

LOL Have I complained about flying across the country before? I b@#$ch about everything, but I don't remember at the moment. I do hate flying though, but it is the fastest way to get places.

Jayne, Sarasota Ballet also just hired one of the Cuban defectors. I think the company is doing well especially artistically.

Forgot to say that the FSU Center is actually the prettiest theatre (but in the worst location for travelers). It looks like a turn of the century horse shoe shaped theatre. But it is very small and I don't think it can have an orchestra in it. I could be wrong (maybe a small one). I don't know if it even has a pit b/c I have never seen one (but I know theatres can remove front seats and and re-open a pit). I don't know if you can remove seats at this place. The Sarasota Opera House is definitely the most convenient venue though for out-of-town people.

Sarasota Opera House will be the easiest place to see performances b/c it is within walking of many nice hotels, many nice restaurants, etc. I just ate at a new restaurant called Mosaic. I had a quail appetizer and a vegetable cous cous to die for as the entree.....loved it. I have also enjoyed Cafe Amici, El Greco Cafe, Barnacle Bill's and several others. All of these places are within walking distance of the opera house. Barnacle Bill's used to look like a place that sailors might eat, but they have made it look more elegant and "nice" now. Part of me liked it when it was more of a dive (with good seafood). There are some nice shops too. Brooks Brothers for men and several independent little shops for women. If you stay downtown you won't need a car at all.....just walk to the opera house and restaurants. I think the November performances are listed with orchestra but the April performances are not. Don't know if that means for sure no orchestra or what. By the way, I am sure there are taxis. You might have to call one though, b/c I don't see them just sitting around waiting like in other cities, but there are surely taxis. Florida is a driving state for the most part and most people drive their own cars but there are always taxis you can call. And FYI, the Sarasota Opera House was more of a vaudeville theatre, I believe, back in the 20s. So it has been fashioned into an opera house and renovated again a few years ago. Don't expect an ultra fancy house, although it is not bad at all. Just know you are not entering La Scala!!!

I will have to view the video again. Now that Lunkina has moved to Canada this could be a historic document of her Giselle at the Bolshoi.

Let's all pray for Drew!!! Yes, she must see Sleeping Beauty!!!! I almost cried when the fairies came out on stage. So, yes, I will send good vibes your way!!!

Buddy, thanks for the info on the historical building. I do always find it a shame to demolish old buildings. My main worry is that the new theatre was really built so that Gergiev can stage elaborate productions of operas and so few ballets will play there and the ballet company will still have to alternate in the old house with opera and only get some nights in the new house. I hope I am wrong. Hypothetically, this will be a chance for ballet every night (one house or the other) and opera every night (alternating houses). That would be great for tourists who might be there for only a few nights and want to catch as many ballets as possible.

That is bizarre that the Mariinsky itself has not announced it yet the BalletandOpera.com site has and it is almost sold out. I don't know what to tell you b/c I purchased from the Mariinsky's website, but I totally understand your worry and thoughts about using the other site. Hopefully someone on here has used BalletandOpera.com and can advise. Maybe the shows are being sold to tour groups? Otherwise, it makes no sense.

balletgirl, I thought down the road (University, I think) east of the Ringling there were a couple of decent hotels across from each other, but it is a bit of a trek but you can walk it (at least I thought...maybe it just seemed close b/c I was in a car and saw these hotels as I drove by). However, I do think it is an unpleasant walk due to the traffic and so I do think Natalia would be happier having a car if the performance is at the FSU Center. And I have not stayed at those hotels, so I have no idea how good they are, but they looked large and they were well known names, although I can't remember which hotels they were. Yes, that review of Fille was great! It was a charming evening! I was glad I drove down for it!

Tiara, I think it would make more sense to have a General Director who cares deeply about both art forms or a businessman, as you say. A businessman would at least recognize the money the ballet brings in and say, "We need to support the ballet and promote it to the public b/c it is so loved and makes so much money!" But things are how they are. I bet it won't change UNFORTUNATELY!!!!

I think if the performance is at the Sarasota Opera House you can easily stay nearby and walk. The Sarasota Opera House is smack inside the downtown area. I think you will want to pay attention to how many miles a hotel is from the USF Center or the Van Wezel if the performances are in either of those two places when you go. Van Wezel is somewhat close to downtown but a sort of longish walk on a busy road. And, like I said, the USF Center has hotels close to it but it is a very busy road and not a pleasant walk I don't think. And the good restaurants are going to be downtown which would probably require transportation if the performance is at the USF Center and you stay near the USF Center. However, I do think there are probably restaurants inside the hotels close to the USF Center. So it isn't that bad. I just think the downtown area is going to be the best place to stay visually, for restaurants, walking around. The hotels near the USF Center don't strike me as nice as the downtown ones, but I have never stayed in them. Be warned that probably anything at the USF Center will probably not have an orchestra since it is so small. Just got back from Ashton's La Fille Mal Gardee by the Sarasota Ballet, and it was charming. They worked hard and did really well. It is a small company, so this was probably a major undertaking for them, and they did well. They used the sets and costumes you see in the dvd available w/Costa and Nunez. Kate Hornea and Ricardo Graziano were the two romantic leads, who kissed very passionately and gave their all to these roles. Logan Learned as Alain was impressive. I have seen him in several things, and he is perfect for this role b/c he specializes in the nerds, creepy guys, etc., but he is a great dancer too and he can do serious dancing too, but I think his small size limits him in casting unfortunately. Rick Bertoni was hilarious as the Widow Simone.

I worry he will embarrass himself overtime simply out of his addiction of the stage (my assumption). But no matter what I think he will be remembered as a great tenor even if it gets to the point where he has embarrassed himself. I think some performers are simply addicted to being on stage and just don't want to quit. Edita Gruberova is another one. She was a decent to good soprano (sort of a poor man's Joan Sutherland, which I consider a compliment) , but now the clips I have heard make me sad. But like Domingo I guess she can not live without the stage. In their defense it must be really hard to leave the stage when it has been their whole life. It is funny how some retire almost too soon b/c they are overly worried about overstaying their welcome when they still have so much to give. Others are like the final guests at a party cracking open another bottle of wine when the hosts are wanting to go to bed.

There are nice hotels (and often very expensive during season) nearby, but I think if you stay on the outskirts of downtown the prices are reasonable. If money is not a problem you will find plenty of places near all three of their performance venues. They perform at the Sarasota Opera House sometimes and sometimes at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts (a very beautiful theatre actually), and the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, so PAY ATTENTION to the venue when you purchase tickets!!! All places are fairly close to each other by car though so if you discover you are at the wrong place it isn't too hard to get to the other place within minutes. Sarasota Opera House is owned by the opera company and is downtown so lots of hotels nearby within walking distance (but fairly expensive). Van Wezel is the performing arts center for touring acts, musicals, etc. and there are a couple of hotels right near it but probably expensive also. It is fairly close to downtown also. Just northeast of downtown the FSU Center is the prettiest venue, in my opinion, but it has a tiny stage (but looks like a jewel box horseshoe shaped theatre on the inside), and the hotels near that are sort of a long walk but can be walked, but it is a very, very busy intersection of two main streets. This FSU venue is mainly for plays, but Sarasota Ballet uses all three places. Sort of strange situation, I guess. I think a rental car might be best if you stay near the FSU venue. It is sort of too far to walk to downtown but in a car it is a short drive. The Ringling Museum is right next to the FSU Center. It has beautiful gardens, a mansion, and circus museum as well as art museum. It is worth a visit too. Downtown Sarasota has experienced a Renaissance of sorts. When I lived in Tampa and first started attending Sarasota Opera for the rare Verdi operas, the downtown was dead and closed up for the evening. The restaurants were "okay," but now there are tons of wonderful restaurants, shops some that stay open at night, etc. It is really a lovely, quaint downtown now by American standards. I think you can get by without a car once you make your way to the downtown-ish area, but I think most visitors would be happier to have a rental car for freedom of movement. Basically, I suggest a car rental.