Happy Burns Day 2012

It's Robbie Burns Day.   I won't cook you a haggis, but I'll lift a glass to ye.

A Bottle and a Friend by Robert Burns
There's nane that's blest of human kind,
But the cheerful and the gay, man,
Fal, la la, &c.

Here's a bottle and an honest friend!
What wad ye wish for mair, man?
Wha kens, before his life may end,
What his share may be o' care, man?

Then catch the moments as they fly,
And use them as ye ought, man:
Believe me, happiness is shy,
And comes not aye when sought, man.

Movie Adventure: Beauty and the Beast in 3D

I couldn't resist seeing the re-release of Disney's Beauty and the Beast on the big screen, this time in 3D.

It wasn't as if I was revisiting it since I first saw it so many years ago in Austin, Texas, but it was lovely to see it on the huge screen and hear the glorious score again. Clearly, animation has changed a lot since its initial release in 1991, but I still prefer the realistic look of these drawings to some more recent renditions (i.e. Tangled, in which the heroine's eyes look freakishly large). The 3-D effects weren't as bold as some of the recent movies I've seen, but they added texture to already lovely scenes, especially the "Be Our Guest" production number and Belle in her yellow ball gown.

For me, Alan Menken's score is still the most exciting factor in what sells this film. It was wonderful hearing it in dazzling suround sound. I loved hearing Jerry Orbach (and seeing his likeness) as Lumier and was reminded of how much we lost when he passed away. It was wonderful hearing Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Potts again as well. I remember watching it for the first time and realizing what a beautiful voice she had; I was a fan of Murder, She Wrote, but didn't know her other work at that time.

At the showing I attended at the Ziegfeld Theatre, which is one of the last of the glorious movie houses of New York City, was full of children of all ages. There were a group of young women sitting behind me that wept through the end, and for once, it didn't bother me. It's still a beautiful story told in gorgeous portrayal and I have to admit that even I teared up just a wee bit.

It seems to be running only through January 29th in New York City and I'd go again if only I had the time. Alas, I'll just have to settle for dvd or via iTunes on iPad.

The Enchanted Island at Met Opera

I couldn't wait to see The Enchanted Island at the Met Opera this season!  But then I saw it.   It's supposed to be a pastische of baroque music by Handel, Purcel, Vivaldi, Rameau, Campra, Leclair, Rebel and Ferrandini, set against a mash-up of Shakespeare's The Tempest and A Midsummer Night's Dream. 

Ho hum.  It was just sort of boring and I felt like yelling, "Why?!" 

I adore The Tempest and admit that I don't know Midsummer that well, but enjoy it, but it seems that Jeremy Sams, the librettist, just took the most boring parts of both of these lovely plays and threw them together, including making up some back story that doesn't even really exist.   As for The Tempest, I think there's a reason why Shakespeare didn't tell us more about Calaban and only mentioned his mother Sycorax.  They aren't likable much less interesting.   Making up a whole scene for opera vet Placido Domingo as Neptune was just silly  - the mention of Neptune is only in a prayer by Propero in The Tempest.  

The set, lighting and projections were cool, but most of the costumes and scenes were just silly.   Neptune's scene was eyepopping and funny, but seemed really to have no point.  Kudos for the fun though - the Met Chorus' head resting on cardboard cutouts of naked cherubs, Placido Domingo on his seashell throne and mermaids swimming from the rafters were all hysterical.

Although the music was beautiful, I felt like they left out some really beautiful opportunities - we especially could have heard more from David Daniels as Prospero.  It seems that Prospero just had to take a backseat in this telling.  Joyce DiDonato as Sycorax was somewhat interesting - slowly transforming from the disgusting witch into a beautiful sorceress.  She sang beautifully as the supposedly star of the show, but even she didn't have that much to do.   The real star of the evening to me Danielle de Niese as the spirit of The Tempest, Ariel.   I didn't quite get her costume - Ariel is a spirit but they dressed Danielle here all in brown with fairy wings.  It wasn't evocative of a spirit at all, but she sang most beautifully and was adorable in her antics. 

As much as I love baroque, I didn't recognize much of the music.  However, I did love hearing a quartet singing Endless Pleasure, one of my favorite Handel pieces.

I guess I'm glad I saw it even if it wasn't the blockbuster I was hoping for.    I'll just go back to listening to my radio recording of Rodelinda when I want glorious baroque from the Met Opera.

Renée Fleming Master Class

On Tuesday, we attended a master class given by Renée Fleming as part of Marilyn Horne's The Song Continues series at Carnegie Hall.

In about an hour and a half, Renée worked with four students:  Dusica Bijelic, Soprano, Melissa Shippen Burrows, Soprano, Nathalie Mittelbach, Mezzo-Soprano, and Marco Stefani, Tenor. 

Each student performed a piece and then Renée worked with each for about 20 minutes each.  She mostly spent time focusing on breathing techniques, although she did hit on a few phrasing issues and body carriage.  

Renée is as entertaining as a teacher as she is a singer.   She's unbelievable smart and it was interesting to hear her impart her knowledge. She kept the audience in the loop, even giving us tips and asking our opinion on progress of each student.   While most of the audience were clearly just spectators and those who love the sport of classical singing, there seemed to be a small minority of students in the audience.  

I was also reminded of how funny Renée is:  when she was working with Dusica, she asked her to turn her back to us to lean against the piano to get the sense of the pressure of breathing.  Dusica, who is lovely and very slender, turned back and apologized to us, "I'm sorry."  Renée got a huge laugh when she also turned back to the audience and retorted, "I'm more sorry."   It was so funny!   But of course, Renée looked fabulous in her chic outfit. 

Each of the singers were lovely and a good indication that we're in for a treat in the future.   While they are still studying, they have also had a degree of performance experience.  Dusica has just been accepted in to the Royal Opera Young Artists Program.   She performed Hugo Wolf's Kennst du das Land, with text by Goethe.   Renée commented that she learned worked on this piece extensively when she was a Fulbright Scholar in Germany.

Nathalie performed Reynaldo Hahn's Quand la nuit n'est pa etoilee, text by Victor Hugo.  This was my favorite piece of the evening.   Renée again worked with Nathalie on breathing and holding her body properly.   She found a much more beautiful sound and this was my favorite performance of the evening, of course, I'm a little partial to Hahn.   Nathalie is currently a second year graduate student at The Julliard.

Marco performed Franz Liszt's Pace non trovo, text by Francesco Petrarca.  Renée worked with him on performance and phrasing.  He improved in imparting the feeling of the heartbreak of this song.   Marco received his master's degree in music from Indiana University.  

Melissa has earned her master's degree from Julliard and has performed extensively regionally, as well as with the Deutsche Oper Berlin.  She was clearly the most polished of the quartet, vocally and performance wise.  She was dressed elegantly as well.   She performed Rachmanifoff's Vesennije vody, text by Fyodor Tyutchev.  Even with her experience, Renée coached her to lose a little of her dark sound and attempt a little bit more beautiful sound.   It made a lovely difference. 

It was interesting seeing Renée correcting the tiniest thing - holding their shoulders up and hunching.  I find myself doing this so I think I'll be more conscious of this.   Renée talked about the way a singer holds themselves when they are performing - upright, relaxed, presentational.   She mentioned Tyne Daly's recent portrayal of Maria Callas in Master Class on Broadway and how she captured how a singer should look.  Renée commented that these were all just small things for these singers to take with them and hopefully wouldn't confuse them more.  She also commented that young singers should sing the right repertoire for their age and voice. 

The young pianists accompanying were Saule Tlenchiyeva and Brent Funderburk and were both fabulous in performance and in following along with the teaching. 

Marilyn Horne opened the evening with her introduction of Renée.   In 1994, Marilyn founded the Marilyn Horne Foudnation, dedicated to the art of the voval recital and presentation of younger singers.  In 2010, the foundation's programs became a part of Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute.   At the end of the evening, an audience member asked Renée about advice she had received.   She recounted her story that when she was at the Met singing in Ghosts of Versaille, she approached Marilyn Horne and told her that people had been telling her that she should sing Norma.  Renée mimiced Marilyn's response, "Oooooh no, no, no, no."  

It was a lovely and educational evening.   As a former choir member and sometime musical theatre performer in my younger years and now a devotee of performance of the voice, it's very interesting to know a little about the process of what makes this beautiful sound. 

Cassandra Wilson at the Blue Note

We took ourselves down to The Blue Note in the Village last night to see Cassandra Wilson.  Oh my God!  Her voice is velvet on velvet.  The set was sweet and way too short, but she is beyond sublime.  

Pursuing Entertainment in 2011

photo by Karigee

2011 was quite a year, filled with lots of laughs and thrills.  I managed to take advantage of at least 99 entertainment opportunites, mostly good.  Travel was fun and I visited Washington, DC, four times, Austin, TX to see old friends,  Midland, TX to see my Little Loves, Paris, FR with Karigee, San Francisco, CA with my Mom and sister and finally Seattle, WA.  On top of this, I worked 2,057.4 hours at my day job - the most exciting, successful and challenging yet of my 17 year career as a corporate bankruptcy paralegal. 

It's hard to narrow down my favorites of 2011 and of course, I choose carefully to begin with and enjoy almost everything I see, although there were a few clunkers this year (ack - War Horse).   I can't narrow it down to a top ten list but my favorites were definitely Selma Jezkova by the Royal Danish Opera at Rose Theatre, Follies both at the Kennedy Center and on Broadway, Sweeney Todd at the Chatelet du Paris, Kate Baldwin with Sheldon Harnick at Feinstein's, Betty Buckley at Feinstein's, Raúl Esparza at American Songbook, Renée Fleming Rodelinda at the Met Opera, Maria Guleghina in Nabucco at the Met Opera, Seance on a Wet Afternoon at City Opera, Blackwatch at St. Ann's Warehouse, Candide at the Shakespeare Theatre Company, An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin on Broadway, Hugh Jackman on Broadway, The Tempest by the Tempest Ladies, and The Birthday Boys by ArtEffects Theatre. 

My ticket vault already includes some choice opportunities into June and the rest of 2012 is starting to take shape with rumored and announced shows, and of course, I have a few trips to plan as well.   Thanks to all of the performers who shared their talent and to everybody who attended a show with me - I can't wait to see what 2012 brings all of us!

2011 Entertainment:
1. January 8 - Candide at the Shakespeare Theatre Company in DC
2. January 8 - Renée Fleming Recital at the Kennedy Center
3. January 11 - Renée Fleming Recital at Carnegie Hall
4. January 13 - Carmen at the Met Opera
5. January 24 - Simon Boccanegra at the Met
6. January 29 - Angie Day Party
7. February 7 - Drama League Gala for Patti LuPone
8. February 15 - Nixon in China at the Met Opera
9. Feburary 18 - Raul Esparaza at American Songbook
10. February 19 - Kate Baldwin at American Songbook
11. February 27 - The Body Politic at 59E59
12. March 6 - Joyce DiDonato Recital at Carnegie Hall
13. March 9 - Arcadia on Broadway
14. March 12 - The River has No Water, The Stronger and The Human Voice, directed by Noah Himmselstein at Columbia University
15. March 12 - Kate Baldwin with Sheldon Harnick at Feinstein's
16. March 13 - National Council Finalists Concert at the Met
17. March 15 - Mary Poppins on Broadway
18. March 22 - The Milk Train off-Broadway
19. March 25 - Bernadette Peters at the Paramount in Austin
20. March 28 - Acting Company Benefit celebrating Terrance McNally
21. March 30 - How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying on Broadway
22. April 2 - The Manchurian Candidate - TCM Festival + Talk with Angela Lansbury & Robert Osborne
23. April 3 - Dorothea Roschmann and David Daniels Recital at Carnegie Hall
24. April 5 - Met Museum Talk on Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney
25. April 7 - Cappricio at the Met Opera
26. April 9 - Betty Buckley in concert in Brooklyn
27. April 13 - Wozzeck at the Met Opera
28. April 16 - Wonderland on Broadway
29. April 17 - War Horse on Broadway
30. April 19 - Seance on a Wet Afternoon at City Opera
31. April 21 - High with Kathleen Turner on Broadway
32. April 23 - Cappricio in HD Broadcast
33. April 24 - Blackwatch at St. Ann's
34. April 27 - The School for Lies at Classic Stage Company
35. May 2 - Die Walkure at the Met Opera
36. May 7 - Sweeney Todd at Chatalet du Paris
37. May 14 - Die Walkure in HD Broadcast
38. May 19 - Deborah Voigt with the Collegiate Chorale at Carnegie Hall
39. May 28 - Follies at the Kennedy Center
40. June 2 - The Tempest  by the Tempest Ladies
41. June 3 - Marilyn Maye at Feinstein's
42. June 5 - The Normal Heart on Broadway
43. June 10 - Orpheus and Euridice off off Broadway
44. June 12 - A gathering for The Tonys
45. June 16 - The Next Thing You Know at Cap21
46. June 18 - Follies at the Kennedy Center
47. June 19 - Follies at the Kennedy Center
48. June 23 - Cunning Little Vixen at the NYPhil
49. June 25 - Cirque Zarkana at Radio City
50. July 8 - Brilliant Traces at ArcLight
51. July 11 - Angela Meade, et al in Met Opera Concert at Central Park
52. July 14 - Kate Baldwin's CD Release Party at Feinstein's
53. July 16 - Anything Goes on Broadway
54. July 18 - "Breakfast" directed by Noah Himmelstein at Metropolitan Opera Project
55. July 28 - Renee Fleming with the Israeli Philharmonic in movie theatre
56. July 29 - Selma Jezkova by the Royal Danish Opera at Rose Theatre
57. August 3 - Jerusalem on Broadway
58. August 6 - Rent off Broadway
59. August 6 - Master Class on Broadway
60. August 13 - Yeast Nation at NYFringe
61. August 17 - Carol Channing: Larger Than Life - Film Screening in Central Park
62. August 18 - Catch Me If You Can on Broadway
63. August 20 - Sammy Gets Mugged directed by Noah Himmelstein at NYFringe
64. August 30 - La Rondine - Met HD Festival at Lincoln Center
65. September 12 - Follies - Opening Night on Broadway
66. September 16 - King John off Broadway
67. September 18 - The Birthday Boys off Broadway
68. Spetember 29 - Follies on Broadway
69. October 2 - Faust from Covent Garden at Opera in Cinema
70. October 4 - Follies on Broadway
71.  October 5 - Sons of the Prophet off Broadway
72. October 7 - Betty Buckley at Feinstein's
73. October 10 - Kate Baldwin, Alex Gemignani at Manhattan School of Music
74. October 12 - Nabucco at the Met Opera
75. October 16 - Broadway Originals at Town Hall
76. October 17 - Carole Deemas at Laurie Beechman
77. October 21 - Maria Guleghina - Met Opera Guild Talk
78. October 23 - Britten's War Requiem at Avery Fisher
79. October 24 - Anna Bolena at the Met Opera
80. October 25 - Hugh Jackman on Broadway
81. October 27 - Siegfried at the Met Opera
82. October 29 - Betty Buckley at Feinsteins'
83. October 30 - Jonas Kaufmann Recital at the Met
84. November 1 - A Charity Case off Broadway
85. November 2 - Sister Act on Broadway
86. November 5 - Siegfried in HD Broadcast
87. November 6 - Richard Tucker Gala Concert
88. November 8 - Satyagraha at the Met Opera
89. November 11 - Rodelinda  Dress Rehearsal at the Met Opera
90. November 13 - Foo Fighters concert at Madison Square Garden
91. November 15 - ` Jackman on Broadway
92. November 19 - Xerxes at San Francisco Opera
93. December 2 - Hansel and Gretel, assistant directed by Noah Himmelstein at Virginia Opera
94. December 3 - Rodelinda in HD Broadcast
95. December 7 - Rodelinda at the Met Opera
96. December 10 - Karita Mattila Recital at Carnegie Hall
97. December 17 - The Pipes of Christmas
99. December 28 - Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin on Broadway

Quote of the Day: Angela Lansbury + DiVaR Alert

"I'm not one of those people who sits in the dark, looking at their work from 70 years earlier," Angela Lansbury insists. "I'm really not."

From  "Angela Lansbury 'very grateful' for Turner Classic Movies spotlight and 'Murder' move" by Jay Bobbin for Zap2it, 12/28/11

That's okay, Angie; that's what I'm here for.

Important news in Bobbin's article:  of course I already own all twelve seasons of Murder, She Wrote on dvd,  but it's good to know that re-runs of the series are jumping from Hallmark to TV Land beginning January 1st; hopefully, the commercials will be a little more tolerable and not solely for the incontinent set.   But first, there are dueling marathons on New Year's Day - all day on Hallmark Movie Channel and a mini set on TV Land.  

Also, it's a good reminder that Angela is the TCM Star of the Month for January.  Here's the TCM line-up (times are Eastern):

Wednesday, January 4-5
8:00 pm Gaslight (1944)
10:00 pm National Velvet (1944)
12:15 am The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945)
2:15 am The Harvey Girls (1946)
4:15 am The Hoodlum Saint (1946)
6:00 am If Winter Comes (1947)
7:45 am Tenth Avenue Angel (1948)
9:00 am The Red Danube (1949)

Wednesday, January 11-12
8:00 pm State of the Union (1948)
10:15 pm The Three Musketeers (1948)
12:30 am Samson and Delilah (1949)
2:45 am Till the Clouds Roll By (1946)
5:15 am Kind Lady (1951)
6:45 am A Lawless Street (1955)
8:15 am – Screen Directors Playhouse: Claire (1956)

Wednesday, January 18-19
8:00 pm The World of Henry Orient (1964)
10:00 pm The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
12:15 pm All Fall Down (1962)
2:15 am The Court Jester (1956)
4:00 am Season of Passion (1959)
5:45 am The Reluctant Debutant (1958)

Wednesday, January 25-26
8:00 pm – Private Screenings: Angela Lansbury (2006)
9:00 pm – Sweeney Todd: Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1982)
11:30 pm – Death on the Nile (1978)
2:00 am – Mister Buddwing (1966)
3:45 am – Dear Heart (1964)
5:35 am – In the Cool of the Day (1963)
7:15 am - The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965)
 
I've seen all of these films except The Greatest Story Ever Told - I just can't get past the creepy Max von Sydow as Jesus. Otherwise, I suggest you watch them all but my Do Not Miss Picks of this screening festival are The Picture of Dorian Gray, Gaslight, If Winter Comes, Tenth Avenue Angel, State of the Union, The World of Henry Orient, The Manchurian Candidate, Death on the Nile, The Court Jester and Sweeney Todd.  Angela is not the star of most of these films, but she always turns out a stellar performance.  
 
It's remarkable to see a teenaged Angela handle the depth of the roles in Dorian Gray and Gaslight.   Angela garnered Oscar nominations for best supporting actress for both of these roles.   She is saucy and trampy in Gaslight, while she is tragic and meek in Dorian Gray.  We get to hear hear Angela sing for the first time in Dorian Gray, although it's before she developed her stage voice so it's very high and sweet.  Notable about Dorian Gray is that Hurd Hatfield, who played Dorian, introduced Angela to Peter Shaw, who would become her husband in 1949 until his death in 2003.
 
I first watched If Winter Comes to see Deborah Kerr, but the real hero of the film is Walter Pidgeon, whom Angela's character is married to.  Angela was 22 years old while Walter was a fairly old 50, although as dapper as always.  It's a melodrama, but Walter plays a delightful and kind man. Janet Leigh plays the ingenue in her second movie role of Effie, the character that Angela wanted to play and even stood up to Louis B. Mayer to get...instead, he stuck her in another bitchy, way older than her years role, even though they were often bridge partners. You won't want to miss this one on TCM, because it isn't available on dvd. 
 
Tenth Avenue Angel is a sweet film starring child actress Margaret O'Brien while Angela plays her aunt.  It's really a Christmas movie, but is always an uplifting look at life in depression era New York City.  You won't want to miss this one either on TCM, because it isn't available on dvd. 
 
State of the Union should be required viewing for all politicians.  It's the fast moving story of a would be presidential candidate whom is believed to be an outsider, played by Spencer Tracy.   Katharine Hepburn plays his wife, while Angela plays his mistress.  It's notable also because Angela's character is not just the backseat mistress, but a young woman who is pulling the strings behind her lover's candidacy and she runs a powerful newspaper. Spencer was Angela's senior by 25 years, but once again  Angela was once again called on to act way beyond her years. Katharine Hepburn was responsible for getting Angela cast in this movie and Angela more than holds her own against these two cinematic giants. 

The World of Henry Orient has become one of my favorite movies of all time.  It's set in New York City in the 60s and the city is practically a leading character as the two teenaged girls race through it's streets in adventures.  Angela plays the bitchy, cheating mother of one of the girls while Tom Bosley (Angela's future co-star in Murder, She Wrote) plays the girl's father.  Peter Sellers is a riot as the object of the girls' affection.
 
The Court Jester is an adorable, hysterical movie.   In a rare switch, Angela gets to play a beautiful princess and gets to be seduced by a very, very funny Danny Kaye.   Glynis Johns plays the beautiful peasant, also attached to Danny Kaye.  It's a riot of a movie.
 
Death on the Nile is a must for anybody who loves a good Agatha Christie mystery.  It's also a must because it stars Betty Davis, Maggie Smith, David Niven, Mia Farrow, Peter Ustinov, and Angela Lansbury.  It's an amazing ensemble cast.  Betty Davis delivers one hilarioius quip after another, while Dame Maggie is her downtrodden assistant.  In one of her most comedic turns, Angela plays the boozy, sex-starved authoress of trashy novels, "Salome Otterbourne." Also notable is that Peter Ustinov was married to Angela's half sister Isolde. 
 
Even though The Manchurian Candidate is black and white and is a political thriller about the cold war, it's a timeless film.  It's shocking, terrifying and Angela delivers a terrifying performance as possibly the most evil mother of all time.    She won her second Golden Globe for this performance and garnered her third nomination for the 1963 Oscar. 
 
Finally, most suggested, is Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd: Demon Barber of Fleet Street.   Sondheim wrote "Mrs. Lovett," the meat pie wielding accomplice of Sweeney, for Angela and it's arguably her greatest role and one of the greatest of musical theatre. After winning the Tony for Best Actress in a Musical on Broadway in 1979, Angela took it on the road with George Hearn as Sweeney for an extended national tour.  In 1982, while in Los Angeles, the production was filmed (partially before a live audience) for television.  Both Angela and George were nominated in the same category for the Emmy - he won.  They also both won the CableAce Award.  It's Sondheim's greatest masterpiece, in my opinion, and is full of  both the most humorous and beautiful music ever written for the theatre.    

Patti and Mandy on Broadway

Karigee and I saw An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin on Broadway last night.  Wow!   It's such a fun show!  It's gorgeous too, even or rather especially in it's simplicity.  The two actors are so larger than life, that really nothing else is needed other than Paul Ford on piano, John Beal on Bass,  a stage full of ghost lights and really gorgeous lighting design by Eric Cornwell.  

Patti and Mandy have been friends since they starred in the original Broadway production of Evita in 1979.   There chemistry is undeniable and they wear their love and friendship for each other on their sleeves.   They only take a few moments to talk about how they met, otherwise, it's all music and scenes from shows, mostly heart-rending, particularly a long scene from Carousel that included "If I Loved You" and finishing with a glorious "You'll Never Walk Alone." 

They show off their comedy with an office chair ballet, which legendary dancer Ann Reinking gets credit for.  I thought I would die laughing, but first I almost died laughing from Patti's masterful spit-take - she is afterall Julliard trained.  

Most thrilling for me was hearing each of them sing the Evita songs they originated on Broadway - he sang "Oh What a Circus" while she knocked the roof off with "Don't Cry for Me Argentina."   Thrilling!

I absolutely loved this show.  It plays at the Barrymore on 47th Street through January 13th.