Nov. 17th, 2011

gurdymonkey: (Default)
Despite ticket prices that made me wince, I took the plunge and met [livejournal.com profile] hrj in San Francisco to catch their production of Xerxes last night. Here's a preview from SF Opera's Youtube channel.


Originally written for male castrati artists, the lead was sung by soprano Susan Graham, while the king's brother (usually sung by a soprano) was ably filled by countertenor David Daniels, who can be seen in this clip singing Xerxes' opening aria, "Ombra mai fu," a love song to the best shade tree ever - which has just given me an idea for today's tanka challenge. 

EDIT: While looking for downloadables for my music library, I kept finding versions sung by tenors as well, including a crackly one by Enrico Caruso dating to 1920.

The program included a who-loves-who flow chart, which should give you an idea of the plot. All the leads were solid, however, contralto Sonia Prina in the breeches role as the jilted Amastre was amazing. 

Why SF Opera decided to flip countertenor for soprano in their casting, I cannot say. Might've been interesting to play with gender themes more than this production did, but as it was, the music was glorious. 

The production design had a semi-surreal 18th century flavor, Vauxhall Gardens with the ruins of Persepolis in the distance, chorus members costumed deliberately as a faceless grey horde.

gurdymonkey: (pretties)
Never was there shade
As restful and gentle as
That you lent in summer.
Though autumn winds tear your robes
It will be springtime again.

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