Sure, nondescript clothes and a cap. That’s a GREAT DISGUISE when the Pakistani military has you on a kill list and every major agency in the world is looking for you! Read my full recap over at Happy Nice Time People the site that dyslexics (like me) have a lot of trouble writing down in the correct order.
Homeland S4 E10 — Who’s the Red Shirt?
Were we all just a little relieved last night that it was Redmond and not Saul that got the shard in the neck last night? Does that make us terrible? Yes, it does. And Homeland punished us by killing off a semi-major character later. Read all about it over at Happy Nice Time People, the folks who bring you the bestest recaps — including mine.
Oh Susanna! Idiots at the Opera Go To Le Nozze di Figaro
Richard Eyre’s new production of Mozart’s Le Nozzi di Figaro, set in the 1930s, opened the Met season with glowing reviews. The original cast including Ildar Abrazakov, who triumphed last year as Prince Igor. He triumphed again as Figaro, and Susan Leonard who went on to sing Rosina in this season’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia, won raves for her Cherubino.
We’d seen a lackluster revival of Jonathan Miller’s Figaro a couple of years ago, and didn’t run out to this one, but I finally made it (without the better-half) on Thursday, and thanks to the Met’s FANTASTIC new rush program, I got to sit with the swells IN FRONT of the overhang for little more than the price of a movie ticket.
All but two of the featured roles have been recast since the opening, but the singers worked so well together and seemed so comfortable, not only singing but with with the dancing and physical comedy that they might have been performing with each other for years. Bass-baritone Erwin Schrott proved his true barihunk chops as Figaro. Mariusz Kwiecien played the sleazy count with petulance and more than a hint of danger. We’d seen him as an aimless Eugene Onegrin in last year’s dreadful production, so it was great to see him get into the groove here. Making her Met debut, Serena Malfi was a scene stealer as Cherubino, really enjoying the physicality of playing a boy. Her voice was faultless. I can’t imagine her NOT becoming a Met favorite within the next few years. Rachel Willis Sorensen sang the Countess. She was no slouch at the physical comedy either, but for all of the antics she brought the heart into the evening. When she sang the Act III aria, Dove Sono, lamenting the mysterious loss of love, off-stage tears may have been shed. The world’s coolest soprano, Danielle de Niese sang Susanna. I’ve seen her live twice, as Ariel in The Enchanted Island and as Continue reading Oh Susanna! Idiots at the Opera Go To Le Nozze di Figaro
What the Hell — It’s Thanksgiving
What the hell. It’s Thanksgiving, so here are a couple of recipes. I don’t really follow recipes so I’m not going to tell you how much of each of thing exactly. It’s all to taste. I totally believe in tasting when you are cooking. I realize that if at this late date you are looking here, you are probably desperate and not much of a cook and need more help. Sorry. Here are three healthy, delicious things you can make. They all happen to be vegan (except one has honey but you could substitute maple syrup I guess) AND two out of three are gluten free. (The third could be gluten free with substitution.) So there you go: Continue reading What the Hell — It’s Thanksgiving
If I Ruled The Met — More “Audience Feedback”
The Met recently changed its rush ticket policy for the SECOND time this season. The important thing to remember is that there are still these FABULOUS day-of-the-performance tickets available for only $25. The change was to get rid of an online lottery for rush tickets. The lottery was introduced in September to replace a physical line that would form daily to get these tickets from the box office. The lottery, however, proved to be unpopular, and based on “audience feedback” the Met is now selling these seats online on a first come, first served basis. In addition, there are other “cheap” seats scattered around the Met – these include $25 orchestra standing room places, $25 “partial view” seats in the balcony and family circle, and $30-$50 (depending on the night and the show) “full view” seats in the family circle section.
That’s a lot of very reasonably priced opera tickets. So what am I complaining about?
Not complaining. Offering constructive criticism.
Here’s the deal. I believe the Met could do even better at making the opera more accessible to New Yorkers (and tourists) of modest means – and more popular. There’s another tweak Continue reading If I Ruled The Met — More “Audience Feedback”