Just Because I've Got Nothing To Talk About That Doesn't Mean I've Got Nothing To Say

By now I'm sure we've all had a chance to finish this month's Opera News so let's discuss it, shall we? Might as well since I don't have much else to blog on tonight.

Let's see, Placido Domingo is on the cover and the big story, of course, is his grueling schedule. It's all old news for Domingo fans but incredible nonetheless. In the span of about a month he sings the title role in Idomeneo in L.A., sings Siegmud in Die Walkure at the Met, conducts Carmen in both New York and L.A., and still fulfills his duties as general director of both the Los Angeles and Washington National Operas. And then you can add to all that all the preparation he is doing for a couple of upcoming projects he has set for later this year. How does he do it?

Glad you asked because I was wondering that myself. No one could possibly do all those things and be all those places without dropping dead from exhaustion. I knew this needed further investigation and I started by picking up the magazine and making a good, careful study his picture on the cover. You know, really look at man, see what makes him tick. And that's when it struck me. The frozen expression, the stiff pose, the strange vacant look in his eyes, it all pointed to one thing -

Placido Domingo is a borg.

Look for yourself if you don't believe me. Sure, I'll admit it's a good disguise, but there is something undeniably borg-like about that picture. Something mechanical and alien and unnatural and one can only wonder how many other borg's are out there in our studios and opera houses. Hmmm, I'll leave that for you to discuss among yourselves.

Continuing on with the Opera News...There is a shocking Der Rosenkavalier exposé on page 31. Turns out that the real 1760's Vienna was nothing at all like the one described in Hugo von Hofmannsthal's libretto. Yeah, really. No kidding. My God, such a scandal! I'm sure we'll see Mike Wallace busting down doors and demanding answers on an upcoming 60 Minutes. Oh well. I love the magazine but sometimes it seems like opera people get themselves worked up over the littlest things. I think they need outside hobbies.

Ok, continuing on...Here's an interesting little item on page 37. The Houston Grand Opera is announcing it's 50th Anniversary Gala Concert with Renee Fleming, Elton John, and others TBA. Wait a second did I read that right? Renee Fleming and Elton John? Elton John? Not that "Elton John"? Geez, when did he make his operatic debut? I don't know about you but I'm not exactly sure which would be scarier - Elton John singing "E lucevan le stelle" or Renee Fleming singing "Crocodile Rock". Just pick your poison I guess. Oh well, I'm sure it'll all work out, and besides we all know that Sir Elton is a bona fide opera luminary now that he has taken that awful Aida score that Verdi wrote and re-worked it as a Disney extravaganza. Bravo, I say, bravo Elton.

Anything else to talk about in the Opera News...not really. Just the usual back of the book kind of stuff. You know, subscription offers and opera tours and things like that, although I can never figure out why anyone would want to go all the way to Milan or Prague just to see an opera. Seems like an expensive night out to me and a bit unnecessary. I guess if you need an excuse to go to Prague then an opera is as good an excuse as any, but it does seem to add to this image of opera goers as rich and spoiled (and they wonder why so many people are turned off by opera). Personally, for myself, I say if you want to go to the opera then go to the opera. Don't worry that you aren't rich enough or haven't read enough books, and don't think you have to travel all the way to Milan or Prague just to see a good one.

There, got that off my chest.

Last but not least I guess we should turn to page 13. Now isn't that a lovely young soprano there, and isn't it nice to see a singer who doesn't have a weight problem for a change. I certainly don't want to make a big deal out of this and I'm certainly not someone to be talking about other people's weight problems. Operatic stars should be judged on their singing and acting, not their dress size, and yet it's hard not to notice the heft and bulk of many of the people you see on opera stages or, even worse, on opera DVD's. If you've seen any opera at all I know you know what I'm talking about. It's almost like a tradition. Ballet stars are anorexics and operatic stars are 300 pound diabetics. Well, Sarah Coburn (the soprano on page 13) doesn't seem to have that problem. Not yet anyways and let's hope she keeps it up. Besides, she's kind of a looker.

So that's the the March Issue of Opera News. Yeah, I know, kind of a pathetic blog. Sorry to waste your time, but I think I've got a scoop with that Placido Domingo thing. Can't wait for the wire services to pick up on it.