Musicals vs Operas
Mon, 10 Sept 2001, 12:39 amWalter Plinge26 posts in thread
Musicals vs Operas
Mon, 10 Sept 2001, 12:39 amJust to kick-start this brand-spanking new section (thanks Granty!), I thought I'd pose the toughest question there is in this area..... just what the hell is the difference between a musical and an opera?
Given that we are all eargerly awaiting the arrival of "Les Miserables" at the Regal (some more eagerly than others though, I have to say), and that that production features opera-type dudes like David Dockery and Justin Freind right alongside your more musical-theatre-type broads like Amanda Chesterton and Gillian Binks, I was wondering where people drew the line.
Is "Les Mes" an opera? Is "Threepenny Opera" a musical? Or vice versa? Or neither?
Thoughts, people!
D.M.
Given that we are all eargerly awaiting the arrival of "Les Miserables" at the Regal (some more eagerly than others though, I have to say), and that that production features opera-type dudes like David Dockery and Justin Freind right alongside your more musical-theatre-type broads like Amanda Chesterton and Gillian Binks, I was wondering where people drew the line.
Is "Les Mes" an opera? Is "Threepenny Opera" a musical? Or vice versa? Or neither?
Thoughts, people!
D.M.
RE: Sweeney an Opera?
Wed, 12 Sept 2001, 02:36 pmWalter Plinge
Nya nya!
My only fear is that the company will be presenting some avant garde interpretation of the show. I loved the original London version that was televised on ABC many years ago, and I would really like this production to recapture the same grimy, dark atmosphere.
My other concern is - just how good at acting are opera performers? They're fine at moving an arm and eyebrow now and then (gross generalisation I guess!) but I find it hard to imagine an interpretation as gutsy as that of a bunch of seasoned character actors, which is really what this script requires. It IS essentially a well-crafted play that happens to be boosted by great music. Can an opera company recognise the importance of that definition?
My only fear is that the company will be presenting some avant garde interpretation of the show. I loved the original London version that was televised on ABC many years ago, and I would really like this production to recapture the same grimy, dark atmosphere.
My other concern is - just how good at acting are opera performers? They're fine at moving an arm and eyebrow now and then (gross generalisation I guess!) but I find it hard to imagine an interpretation as gutsy as that of a bunch of seasoned character actors, which is really what this script requires. It IS essentially a well-crafted play that happens to be boosted by great music. Can an opera company recognise the importance of that definition?
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