Last night was Die Walküre. Now it is hard core, starting at 6:30 and ending close to midnight. Still totally mesmerizing. Wagner has this music drama thing really working; I find myself continually involved in how the music and story work together, and the infinitely subtle ways the music evolves with the characters. There are some slow bits in this opera that drag a bit, especially when someone is telling someone else something that we have already seen. All the controversy about the production is really peripheral to what is actually happening onstage; for 90% of the time, the big machine functions simply as a backdrop to what is happening with the singers and the orchestra. Vera's favorite, Jonas Kaufmann, was sick. His replacement was excellent musically, though I gather he doesn't quite match up to Kaufmann in the hotness department. The orchestra is truly amazing; from our perspective, we hear every note clearly. The contrast between the huge orchestral climaxes and the stretches where there is only a single instrument playing are very dramatic, and of course, the Ride of the Walküre was a blast!
On Sunday night we went to a musical "soiree" at the apartment of a retired Frenchman. He cooks a delicious French meal, and guests bring a bottle of wine and some money to pay the musicians. There is food, and then some musical performances. In principle, a great idea; in practice, this particular occasion was marred by some very substandard musicians. But still, an interesting peak into a little corner of New York activities.
