| re: Ohio Light Opera 2018 Season | |
| Posted by: Snowysdad 09:37 am EDT 10/17/17 | |
| In reply to: Ohio Light Opera 2018 Season - Ann 08:47 am EDT 10/17/17 | |
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| Can't comment too deeply on the Lehar, I've neither heard it or even heard of it, LOL, but most of the Lehar operettas are workman like, but not inspired. Pieces like Pagannini and Land of Smiles have one or two really memorable numbers and pages of music that rolls on endlessly. Since this one isn't one of his more popular pieces, my guess is that it is not even up to the level of his others, with the exception of The Merry Widow of course which is a masterpiece of great music. La Perichole is one of Offenbach's finest operettas, but take in mind that this is coming from someone who adores all French opera and operetta, and Offenbach is right at the top of the list for me. It is the story of a street singer. Oh, why bother, the plot isn't what makes this the fabulous piece it is, it is 2 major arias for the heroine, a fantastic trio for her, the tenor and the bass baritone, several fun ensembles. Hardly 10 minutes goes by without some wonderful tunes. Candide is what it is, inspired music by Bernstein swimming against a cartoonish book by Hugh Wheeler. I much prefer Lillian Hellman's version, but that is not an option as her estate has withdrawn rights to use it. The music alone makes this worth seeing. Fifty Million Frenchmen is an early Cole Porter score, loads of fun. Major tunes include "You Do Something to Me," "Find Me a Primitive Man," "Tale of the Oyster" and "You Don't Know Paree." Questions? There is a fine recording of a reconstructed version, on New World Records (and its NOT A BOOTLEG) Babes in Arms contains four of Rodgers and Hart's biggest hits, "My Funny Valentine," "Johnny One Note," "Where or When" and my all time favorite Hart comedy song "Way Out West" (on West End Avenue). 'Nuff said, but there are several more solid songs as well. Iolanthe--My nomination for the very best G & S operetta, better even than The Mikado, although not by much. It deals with Fairies and Peers and the score is inspired from downbeat of the overture to the finale. With full productions of G & S less and less common, this is not to be missed. Hope I've helped. Bill |
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