The new Met Die Walkure

[Chaszz]

I've already posted a review of this on the Opera and Vocal board and won't repeat myself here. Just that there may be some who might enjoy this production who don't normally check that board. This is being performed this coming Saturday afternoon May 14 for the last time this season at the Met and with live HD streaming into movie theatres. If you like Die Walkure, or Wagner, at all, I'd advise you to see and hear it. Extraordinary. 

[Rinaldo]

I'm going to see the live stream at a local cinema, it's gonna be my first direct encounter with Wagner. Looking forward to it.

[JerryS]

I'll be going to the HD Live presentation at a theater in San Antonio this morning. Haven't been to one of the Met theater events before. I'm anxious to see what kind of turnout they get. Opera is usually pretty popular in SA.

[Rinaldo]

Phew, what can I say? Terfel was amazing and while there were passages in the 2nd & 3rd act where I didn't find any enjoyment in the music (maybe my "listener stamina" was dwindling), the rest blew my socks off.

Haven't been to one of the Met theater events before. I'm anxious to see what kind of turnout they get.

This was my first Met theater experience as well. Here in Prague, the place was packed. The quality is tremendous but the "behind the scenes" intermissions sort of stomp on the atmosphere built up by the drama. I would prefer them not talking about the work at all but I guess it's part of the whole "educating the masses" approach of this Live in HD thing.

[gilfachphil]

This was my first Walkure and only second opera of the ring seen, yes, the Met Rheingold was the first.  I loved both opera productions and as an amateur theatre technician am fascinated by the 'machine'.  It would be great if, at intermissions, they'd put up an auditorium shot telling us how long we've got 'til it starts again and allow those wishing to wander to get out before all the interviews etc. start.  Domingo doing an appeal for money in the second interval was about the limit.

Won't stop me from booking for the next two parts tho'.

We saw Bryn's Hans Sachs in Meistersinger at WNO in Cardiff.  What a wonderful evening that was.

[JerryS]

My first Met Live HD experience was wonderful! I thought the chemistry between Siegmund and Sieglinde was about the best I've seen or heard. The gigantic "machine" with 24 planks delayed the performance for about half an hour while a technical glitch was overcome. While the contraption allowed for some interesting effects, it often limited the movement range of the performers. The magic fire mountain scene was astonishing!

Attendance in San Antonio, Texas was poor. There were about 30 people in the theater.

I'm looking forward to the next installment and will probably attend some encore events this summer.