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?
Tue, 11 Sept 2001, 07:49 pmThere's an article in the SMH that touches lightly on this issue while discussing Australian Opera's upcoming production of Sweeney Todd.
Quotable quotes:
"I've no doubt that Sweeney Todd is an opera in the sense that it's sung through, but it was born in the musical-theatre world where you do eight performances a week."
"Sweeney Todd is taking on the status of a great musical masterpiece of the 20th century and it's why it is being done by opera companies."
"If it weren't for the subsidised performing arts companies and amateur troupes, most, if not all, of Sondheim's work would have fallen through the cracks."
Cheers
Grant
PS. I'd give my right arm to see this show! Anyone fancy a revival here when the dust settles over east?
Quotable quotes:
"I've no doubt that Sweeney Todd is an opera in the sense that it's sung through, but it was born in the musical-theatre world where you do eight performances a week."
"Sweeney Todd is taking on the status of a great musical masterpiece of the 20th century and it's why it is being done by opera companies."
"If it weren't for the subsidised performing arts companies and amateur troupes, most, if not all, of Sondheim's work would have fallen through the cracks."
Cheers
Grant
PS. I'd give my right arm to see this show! Anyone fancy a revival here when the dust settles over east?
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