Anna Nicole Smith: The Opera

Written by Michael Vass

Of the many things in the world I could expect an opera to be made about, Anna Nicole Smith is not among them. In fact if I had made a bet with Las Vegas yesterday about the chances of such an event happening, the odds would have been astronomical I would guess. The difference one day makes.

Because in the face of crazy odds, good taste and profiting off the back of the dead there will be an opera based on Anna Nicole Smith.

Who would bring such an atrocity to the stage? Who would think that anyone of sound mind would part with their hard-earned cash in this economic blast furnace to watch such a travesty of the arts? Richard Thomas.

If you are wondering who in the world this is think back to another great occurrence in the world of opera. He is the man responsible from presenting Jerry Springer: The Opera to the masses. And that collective look of dumbfoundment and trepidation you likely have is answer enough about the quality I expect from this venture.

Of course to propose an opera is one thing, but you need to stage it somewhere. Considering the reputations of opera houses across the world you might think that this could be found in the Timbuktu Opera House (no offense to them if one exists). But in fact it will be at the Royal Opera in Britain. I had no idea they were that starved for cash.

Opera loves tragedy, and the life of Smith is one fraught with just that. But it is also a life that was self-inflicted. Without merit. And without cause of celebration, re-enactment, or glorification.

I suppose that those fans of the Jerry Springer Show, who likely saw the film and play, are likely to see this play as well. But as I consider most people that would view such tripe as just as likely to appear on the program, the rest of the human race will undoubtedly avoid this near inarguable refuse.

Still I could be wrong. It is probable that Anna Nicole Smith: The Opera could be an endearing testament of the pressure and pitfalls of success and fame. On the same order of probability that I can produce diamonds out of my rectum. It’s probable, but that does not mean it is a practical reality in this universe.

But by all means, if you are in the mood to smack your face with a ball-peen hammer, go see this performance for yourself. If after viewing this you have more brains left than drinking a Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster, and you are still imbued with the ability to flail your limbs enough to respond, please do let me know if I was wrong.

And for those wondering about the Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster, it is/was created by Zaphod Beeblebrox and the effect of one is like having your brain smashed out by a slice of lemon wrapped round a large gold brick.

Opera faces challenge in economic downturn

Written by Michael Vass

When the news blares on about the current state of the economy you hear about the financial institutions, the auto industry, credit cards,airlines and of course homes. In fact over the past 3 months you have probably heard about how the credit crunch and/or the mortgage crisis will affect your life in a multitude of ways.

But what you really haven’t heard is how it’s going to affect your recreation and personal downtime. I’m not talking about holiday gift sales, I mean just enjoying yourself because you deserve it. This economic downturn is hitting us all in one of the most critical parts of any society, the arts and culture.

The Baltimore Opera Company has filed bankruptcy under Chapter 11 on Monday with 2 popular operas that were planned canceled. Porgy and Bess, and the Barber of Seville are common and usually profitable ventures for many operas, so to see the carpet ripped from under them makes a strong statement about the state of things these days. Especially since 3 operas planned for 2009 have also been canceled.

Baltimore Opera is a 58 year old company with a modest $6 million budget. They are hardly importing marble or gold for their productions. Yet the bite of the economy is causing a restructuring that bode ill not just for this one company, but is a sign for all to watch. Just like Opera Pacific did when it closed its doors in November.

But all hope is not lost. There are still some organizations that realize that the arts are too precious to lose altogether. In Atlanta one example came from the Goizueta Foundation, created by the late Coca-Cola CEO Roberto Goizueta in 1992.

The Atlanta Opera, like Baltimore, is a small company with a budget of $6 million as well. But sales have been down. The Goizueta Foundation grant of $1.5 million over 3 years is a major shot in the arm, giving the company time to endure the economic downturn causing this draught in the arts.

The key here is that the arts are too valuable to lose, especially to something as hit or miss as economic prosperity. Some things are priceless because the value should never be attached to it. The arts, and opera, are pare of that priceless essence societies need to have. Without it, history has shown, all great civilizations end. And a booming economy won’t prevent that.

All it takes is a phone call and a dream

Written by Michael Vass

Timing is everything

This truism applies to everything in life. From buying or selling stocks, hitting a baseball, crossing the street, asking someone out on a date to getting a starring role in a opera.

Yes, starring in an opera.

Adriano Graziani is the well-fated man who called into the Welsh National Opera – planning to get tickets for Friends of Welsh National Opera performance – and wound up getting an offer for the lead role. Not only did he take the offer, his performance was so strong that he will now star in that opera company’s production of La Bohème in 2009.

Now before every opera hopeful starts dialing the Metropolitan Opera, there is a bit more to the story. Graziani was a student at the Cardiff International Academy of Voice, and part-time singer when not at his full-time banking job. So they had heard him sing before. In addition the lead tenor had taken ill that day, and Graziani is a tenor.

So it was a combination of a lot of work before hand, talent, and timing that all came together. But once they did it was lightning in a bottle.

It’s kind of like Paul Potts – the winner of the Britain’s Got Talent television show. I featured a video of Potts before in the post The uplifting theme of 2007

Like they always say,

Success is 90% hard work and 10% luck

Like Bugs Bunny the Washington Natioal Opera and Wagner are struck down

Written by Michael Vass

Sometimes you have to wonder what Odin would have thought. Specifically about Wagner’s The Ring of the Nibelung a version of the Nibelungenlied. Now some readers may wonder what this opera is and why they might care.

The thing is that far more people know this famous opera than think they do. It has been the subject of multiple stroylines (including an interesting take in the anime Cyborg 009) in film. The music from the various operas have lasted over a century now, and can be heard in fare as diverse as a Bugs Bunny cartoon to Apocalypse Now – a great scene in the film.

So it’s worth just discussing for at least a moment. And this all came up because the Washington Natioal Opera has just decided to cancel the performance of all 4 operas that make up the Ring. They are doing so because of the current financial difficulty that we all are expereincing. And that is a shame.

To see the full opera is to understand the full story of the Norse Gods and their demise. In total the 4 parts can take up to 4 nights and 15 hours in total. The sheer magnitude of the entirety is unmatched, and perhaps the only medium and story that comes close to the same degree of enormity would be Star Wars (though elements of the story seem to have inspired parts of the Lord of the Rings). Yet this has no special effect, and has been performed long before film existed.

Thus to hear that Washingon National Opera was planning this was a joy. Plácido Domingo would have had his work cutout for him no matter the economy. To hear that Odin, The Norse and Midgard have been destroyed yet again by mere money is sad in a manner.

This means that likely the only way to see the complete Ring cycle will have to be in Seattle in 2009, unless the economy ends that as well. For an opera that has inspired and touched so many for so long, I was hoping for better.

Duke Ellington’s Only Opera to Open in Oakland

Duke Ellington left our world on May 24, 1974, but not before he wrote an opera which will be performed during the month of May in Oakland. Ellington who is known as one of the most influential African Americans on world culture, was the recipient of 12 Grammy awards along with other honors such as the Pulitzer Prize and a U.S. postage stamp in his honor.

The opera opens on May 10th and runs through May 25, 2008.