DonRocks Posted October 9, 2018 Share Posted October 9, 2018 "Review: 'La Traviata,' Washington National Opera's Season Opener" by Susan Galbraith on dctheatrescene.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Slater Posted October 9, 2018 Share Posted October 9, 2018 It would have been helpful if the author actually described some of the singing. There are some very beautiful and difficult arias in this opera. Starting in the first few minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted October 9, 2018 Author Share Posted October 9, 2018 3 minutes ago, Mark Slater said: It would have been helpful if the author actually described some of the singing. There are some very beautiful and difficult arias in this opera. Starting in the first few minutes. or the high, divided strings, which are a metaphor for sickness, and appear both in the overture and the opening of the final act. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Slater Posted October 9, 2018 Share Posted October 9, 2018 15 minutes ago, DonRocks said: or the high, divided strings, which are a metaphor for sickness, and appear both in the overture and the opening of the final act. Don, Traviata is the Waltz opera. All the great scenes are scored in 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted October 9, 2018 Author Share Posted October 9, 2018 19 minutes ago, Mark Slater said: Don, Traviata is the Waltz opera. All the great scenes are socred in 3 All the *dance* scenes are scored in 3. The Preludio - which foreshadows the entire tragedy - is scored in 4.The wonderful drinking song, occurring immediately afterwards, is scored in 3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ericandblueboy Posted October 9, 2018 Share Posted October 9, 2018 I’m taking my kids...not sure if they’ll be able to see anything since we’ll be in the last row. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Slater Posted October 9, 2018 Share Posted October 9, 2018 11 hours ago, Ericandblueboy said: I’m taking my kids...not sure if they’ll be able to see anything since we’ll be in the last row. They should like it. Its exciting music right from the start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted October 10, 2018 Author Share Posted October 10, 2018 2 hours ago, Mark Slater said: They should like it. Its exciting music right from the start. Just remember the Preludio (the orchestral piece before the curtain rises) vs. the opening of the final act (the conductor takes the bow just before this) - they're the two-most dramatically important things in the opera. In the former, the high-divided strings signal Violetta's frailty before living; in the latter, they signal Violetta's frailty before, well ... (This has always been my own personal theory, so I'm genuinely curious what you think.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Slater Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 7 minutes ago, DonRocks said: Just remember the Preludio (the orchestral piece before the curtain rises) vs. the opening of the final act (the conductor takes the bow just before this) - they're the two-most dramatically important things in the opera. In the former, the high-divided strings signal Violetta's frailty before living; in the latter, they signal Violetta's frailty before, well ... (This has always been my own personal theory, so I'm genuinely curious what you think.) Actually my favorite part of the opera, aside from the last act is the gambling scene in the 3rd act when the clarinets shift into ominous F minor. I love that part. I always have trouble deciding which is the greater masterpiece, Traviata, Rigoletto or Trovatore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted October 10, 2018 Author Share Posted October 10, 2018 6 minutes ago, Mark Slater said: Actually my favorite part of the opera, aside from the last act is the gambling scene in the 3rd act when the clarinets shift into ominous F minor. I love that part. What do you think of the opening drinking song? (Right after the curtain rises in Act 1?) I think that's one of the most joyous moments of any opera I've seen. It fits into your 3/4-waltz theory, too. I also believe it's one of the most 180-degree transitions in the entire genre, as it makes you completely forget the timid theme that occurred just before it. These nuances aren't something that Eric's kids will take away, but I'll bet they remember that buoyant drinking song (before falling asleep about an hour later). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Slater Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 I agree Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ericandblueboy Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 they've heard the music at home but I haven’t given them the synopsis. They also haven’t sat thru the opera. I hope they like it in person Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ericandblueboy Posted October 25, 2018 Share Posted October 25, 2018 We went to the last performance by the Washington National Opera. We had seats in the very last row and luckily no one sat directly in front of us so the kids can see the stage (although I had to crane my neck to read the subtitles). They enjoyed the opera while I snoozed thru the 2nd Act (what happens when I imbibe at brunch and then had more Moet & Chandon before the start). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ericandblueboy Posted November 6, 2022 Share Posted November 6, 2022 On 10/9/2018 at 9:52 PM, Mark Slater said: Actually my favorite part of the opera, aside from the last act is the gambling scene in the 3rd act when the clarinets shift into ominous F minor. I love that part. I always have trouble deciding which is the greater masterpiece, Traviata, Rigoletto or Trovatore. Saw Il Trovatore last night. Great music and a wonderful production by the Washington National Opera. One show left. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Slater Posted November 6, 2022 Share Posted November 6, 2022 Glad you liked it! Trovatore really does have a hit a minute. Here's a sensational performance of my favorite part, the Trio from Act 1 : 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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