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re: The Merry Widow

Posted by:	Chromolume 03:02 pm EST 01/18/15
In reply to:	re: The Merry Widow - schauspieler 02:41 pm EST 01/18/15

And I think they must have had some more rehearsal and tightened things up since the premiere, because all the reviews complained of slow pacing, but the show I saw was a lively and spirited affair. I doubt there has been any further rehearsal, at least formally. I don't think it would be possible to schedule more rehearsal. But there may have been notes given, etc. Another problem, of course, is that given the relatively paltry rehearsal period for any new Met production (as compared to Broadway, for instance), and a short run with no chance for any real previews, what the critics are seeing is the very first true performance (outside of the invited dress rehearsal). So it's a very different kind of situation than opening night of a Broadway show, though critics have no choice but to review it with the same standards. I didn't see the HD, but I did get to hear the first half of Act II on the radio (plus most of 2 previous Sirius broadcasts). The musical ensemble sounded ragged to me yesterday - especially in the mens' "Women" number, and also in the opening choral "Pontevedrian" number. (And either more people have to clap along, or they should cut that - it sounds so tentative.) Fleming's "Vilia" felt like mere notes on a page, no more than that, and her top notes seemed a little flat to me. Allen and Gunn were a pleasure to hear, as well as Alek Shrader and Kelli O'Hara (who at least over the air, sounds right at home). Carson Elrod is trying too hard, I think - and is Njegus really supposed to be flaming?

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