Hamlet

Just watched the Royal Shakespeare Company's Hamlet on PBS and I must say how disappointing it was considering how much of it was excellent. The production itself was wonderful and "recreated' for television (not just a film of a stage production.)  I just couldn't get past David Tennant's Hamlet. He seemed more hammy actor finally getting a chance at a big juicy (as in ready for scenery eating) part of a lifetime than an actual "heir" to this ultimate of roles. He was outshone by almost everyone. Not a good sign in Hamlet. Maybe I'll watch it again in a week or so and see if my initial reactions stay the same. Perhaps I'm missing something. Could this be Tennant's way of mimicking insanity? Hamlet hasn't fared so well on the screen lately. Not since Derek Jacobi's BBC version in the 80's has a really convincing taped performance come off completely. Even Kenneth Branaugh was all wrong as Hamlet. It did not help that Jacobi was Claudius. And only idiots liked Mel Gibson's "bug-your-eyes out" and rush through the long parts to get to the action scenes portrayal (or betrayal as the case may be.) Ethan Hawke, though obviously talented, seemed all at sea, and sadly, unconvincing as well. Does this play only work (with a few notable exceptions) on stage? Evidence seems to point that way.

Great Tenor

I'm mourning the loss of a favorite singer of mine: Philip Langridge. He could (and did) sing music from every period, including many premieres by prominent composers of the last forty years. He was especially noted for his Britten interpretations and luckily, some of them are on video (and more are on cd.) He didn't have a "traditionally" beautiful voice, but he was a extraordinary musician and actor and he could delve into the psychology and emotions of characters unlike anyone else. If you are unfamiliar with him, try to find a copy of the video of Peter Grimes. He stands comparisons with both Pears and Vickers and is not found wanting. I saw him sing Aron in Moses und Aron at the MET in his sixties and he was riveting (not easy in that opera and not an easy sing at any age.) He made it seem natural and characterful--basically, he sang it like the masterpiece that it is. The opera world is a little less bright to me now that he is gone. He was singing until his health failed and singing smartly and well. He was 70.

Bad Met Revisited

I finally saw the first part of the repeat (of a repeat) of the Live from the Met Aida and what a horrible sight and sound it was. The tenor Johann Botha was a loud, stiff, (and in the long run) ludicrous Radames--and he was probably the best singer on the stage. What has happened to Violeta Urmana? Her voice was in tatters: shrill, unfocused, forced at any level about piano. This is a rather recent thing, because I've heard her within the last three years and she sounded nothing like this. Could she have just been so ill she couldn't sing well enough to support the sound? It was heart-breaking to hear her. And hiring Dolora Zajick again was just stupid. She sounded old and tired, she looked old and tired, she moved old and tired. And her costumes just accentuated her inappropriateness. The whole first scene was excruciating. Then The High Priestess sang flat the entire next scene. And then I had to turn it off. I couldn't stand any more. This is a tape that should be erased to save all concerned from embarrassment. Not a very good month for me and the Met.