Renée Fleming with the MET Orchestra
8 January 2006 Never have I seen the lobby of Carnegie Hall in such a tumult. At 2:45, there were people streaming through in almost alarming volume. The spacious pavement outside the doors was also packed. Lots of people were trying to buy tickets, which wasn't a surprise, because this year's MET Orchestra series was going to feature soprano Renée Fleming. But the sheer crowdedness was unnerving. Happily, there weren't quite so many people pushing through the doors when Ms NOLA (taking Kathleen's place yesterday afternoon) arrived at last.
I still can't explain the excitement. I'll have to think about it for a while.
It was, as these things always are, a curious program. It sort of made sense if you squinted and looked at it sideways, but that was the printed program. The music itself...
Continue reading about Renée Fleming and the MET Orchestra at Portico.
Comments
I, too, found the programme a bit odd, and as far as the Berg goes, phooey. The first moments almost got me into a yuck, which would have disturbed the audience, and at those prices......I am really off the three B's: Berg, Berlioz and Bartok.
Having thought this one was weird, the next programme has me salivating...Erwartung with Anja Silja (year 46 of her career) and then Le Sacre, Mr. Levine letting the forces out. I remember a night at Carnegie in about 1980 when Solti and the Chicago did it and the audience was stunned into silence when it was over...as one should be after a great 'Sacre.' Levine isn't as passionate as Solti and I will be interested to hear what he makes of it; Solti's version was positively feral.
I've been attending these concerts since they began, and will continue to ante up the price because of the
loathsome music director the Philharmonic has. Mr. Levine leads two of the 4 great orchestras in this country and is a genius. Would I be able to say that about the leader of the occupants of Avery Fisher Hall.
Posted by: PPOQ | January 9, 2006 11:01 AM
I still have the lovely 'Romeo and Juliet' in my head as well as the pleasure of Ms. Fleming's voice. I need to get to know 'Capriccio.'
Posted by: Ms. NOLA | January 9, 2006 02:36 PM