tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post305316745938104148..comments2024-03-27T09:14:27.496+00:00Comments on All That Is Solid ...: Class and Opera AudiencesPhilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06298147857234479278noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-56353745407673898302010-12-13T21:58:38.024+00:002010-12-13T21:58:38.024+00:00I love opera, and I'm basically scum.
Well, ...I love opera, and I'm basically scum. <br /><br />Well, I love some opera. The only one I've seen is the Ring Saga, three times, on DVD. It has dragons, and gods, and dwarves, and pretty much everything ever. I take issue with the sexism and implied racism, but I also think that it is beautiful, enlightening and in a way timeless.<br /><br />Thing is, I don't understand wanting to see it live unless you understand German. You won't be able to follow it. <br /><br />I think there's a lot of pretentious people in things like this. When I studied Wagner, I was doing it with a friend who is classic upper class Tory. He knew and loved the music inside and out, but was shocked to discover that I had actually bothered to discover what the words mean.bread-sandwichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06694737694460533017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-86894379877199180902010-12-12T12:38:00.219+00:002010-12-12T12:38:00.219+00:00Re: Skidders, I quite like the idea of block-booki...Re: Skidders, I quite like the idea of block-booking tickets - if only to put the snooties' noses out of joint. The local Labour party is always looking for social opportunities ...Philhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06298147857234479278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-91773479381729818692010-12-12T06:31:48.498+00:002010-12-12T06:31:48.498+00:00I would definitely not generalise from the Glyndeb...I would definitely not generalise from the Glyndebourne experience to all operatic performances. Glyndebourne is something that has a particular thing about being a big and special occasion.<br /><br />I consider myself lucky to have had grandparents who would take family outings to Glyndebourne (I went on two - one was their Don Giovanni, the other was English language opera "Flight"). It was a BIG event and day out, which it wouldn't be if I'd gone to a performance at the local theatre or somewhere.<br /><br />And to be honest, when I saw people who hadn't bothered to dress up for the occasion, it bothered me a little. It was a little like going to a fetish club and finding they let someone in who hadn't been bothered to make an effort to look kinky.<br /><br />I'm not excusing the rudeness of the people there (I certainly wouldn't have commented to anyone's face about their choice of dress when I went, for example!), but I do understand why they might have felt put off.<br /><br />Opera in general, though, is not as exclusive or snobbish as Glyndebourne, and the price is a lot cheaper usually. The "Matchbox Opera" in Tunbridge Wells would be my most local, and their recent performances of Don Giovanni had a ticket price of £12.50. From the looks of their photo album, casual wear seems to be perfectly acceptable for audience members there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-86613024168168355402010-12-11T23:12:02.086+00:002010-12-11T23:12:02.086+00:00Yes - don't judge it all by Glyndebourne. It&#...Yes - don't judge it all by Glyndebourne. It's slightly unique - and iirc unsubsidised unlike the rest.<br /><br />I've never been, but I shared a house with Hampstead Socialists (delightful - artistic, swims in the ponds every morning, rooms and rooms and rooms of books) and they used to do Glyndebourne once every couple of years as a treat rather than a w/e away.<br /><br />There's very much a social ritual.<br /><br />Hope you find something you enjoy more.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-79270796884120011392010-12-11T17:52:40.293+00:002010-12-11T17:52:40.293+00:00As a Gramscian I believe there's nothing too (...As a Gramscian I believe there's nothing too (culturally) good for the working class - but opera ain't my thing.Philhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06298147857234479278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-5680995155106394952010-12-11T13:15:46.977+00:002010-12-11T13:15:46.977+00:00I'm sure Phil above would be able to confirm t...I'm sure Phil above would be able to confirm that the PCI used to block book tickets at <i>La Scala</i>.<br />Personally I have a hard time caring as the only musical I've ever really liked was <a href="http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi3882944281/" rel="nofollow">South Park</a>.<br />I'm not so sure about arriving late though. I have a friend who has been an actor and musician for the last twenty years: the one time I've felt uncomfortable about arriving late for one of his shows was when he was doing a sufi-based play. Perhaps the point might be stronger if compared to the acceptance by cinema-goers of late arrivals, but if you've had Peter Crouch blocking your view you haven't really been missing much.skidmarxnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-36458499578086389672010-12-11T09:49:34.831+00:002010-12-11T09:49:34.831+00:00Even on the terraces at White Hart Lane, I never c...Even on the terraces at White Hart Lane, I never came across such rude and selfish people as Opera goers.<br /><br />At the football, if some beanpole arrived just before kick-off and stood in front of you, no one ever commented.<br /><br />Even though you were jam-packed together, you just tried to ease your way around him during the match.<br /><br />But when I went to see Pavarotti singing in Covent Garden, the Opera-buffs regarded their line of sight to the stage as their own private property.<br />Dare to stand anywhere near and some snotty character would complain loudly.<br /><br /><br />prianikoffAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-9454635526677029972010-12-10T23:29:27.815+00:002010-12-10T23:29:27.815+00:00This reminds me of something Justin Horton wrote a...This reminds me of <a href="http://justinhorton.blogspot.com/2005/06/la-tenner-e-mobile.html" rel="nofollow">something Justin Horton wrote</a> a few years ago - <br /><br /><i>Curiously enough, 10p is the amount of change one receives from a tenner when buying the smallest possible glass of the cheapest available champagne from the Champagne Bar in the Royal Opera House: an experience I underwent on Friday night prior to watching a performance of Rigoletto ... It occurred to me later on in the evening that if I had purchased a dozen glasses of champagne, it would have provided me with enough change to pay for the bus fare home.</i><br /><br />It sounds as if you got a more personal and direct version of the same message - you're Not Quite Our Sort. Well, sod 'em. I hope you enjoyed the opera!Philhttp://gapingsilence.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-67130737109943802922010-12-10T21:59:50.186+00:002010-12-10T21:59:50.186+00:00Maybe Glyndebourne wasn't the best place to st...Maybe Glyndebourne wasn't the best place to start? It's got a bit of a reputation for snobbishness, even amongst other Opera goers.<br /><br />When my partner and I first met, she was a regular attender at the ENO. She took me a long a few times, and I have to say I loved it. I'd never have considered going to Opera - it was so far outside of my comfort zone, and I didn't know what was supposed to happen. The atmosphere wasn't exactly Trowbridge Festival friendly, but neither did my failure to wear a tie or a dinner jacket cause any comments, and nor did Kate's outfit.<br /><br />I've also been lucky enough to see the Donmar Warehouse production of The Threepenny Opera, one of the most awesome theatrical experiences I've ever had. That was a crowd from all corners of London and beyond, and there was nothing of the bourgeois snob atmosphere that is the 'classical' archetype of Opera in England.<br /><br />And, of course, at the root of it all is the peculiar transformation that took Opera from being a populist entertainment form in its native Italy to the most exclusive of art forms here in the UK. Don't give up on Opera until you've seen it in Italy, I guess.<br /><br />Don't let the toffs put you off: after the revolution we'll have the Opera all to ourselves.Nickhttp://4glengate.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-70195699507794054102010-12-10T21:10:44.193+00:002010-12-10T21:10:44.193+00:00I don't think that you should generalise from ...I don't think that you should generalise from one experience. I regularly attend Opera North in Leeds and while one still gets the elderly remnants of the West Riding bourguoisie dressed in furs one also gets a wide range of others dressed in all manner of things. And turning up late is almost de rigeur. I did once see a fight nearly start over some sweet wrappers though.<br /><br />On my only trip to Stoke to see Scottish Opera I did however see the most posily dressed person: he had on a white linen pyjama suit, had a flower in his hair and looked a complete knob. <br /><br />Possibly one explanation could be that the Grand in Leeds is Opera North's home base and there are plenty of opportunities to see operas there, whereas a touring production only visits briefly and all those there for the occasion rather than the music have to all go at the same time.Epictetushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17993781308540523271noreply@blogger.com