I was at opening night of the revival of Les Contes D'Hoffmann last night. I don't have time just now to write a review. I know that some bloggers are keen to attend opening night in order to be 'first'. I did read once on some newsgroup that it's important to attend first night because it's 'historically accurate' - what rot! I attend whichever performance(s) best fit my diary; I don't actually think that last night was originally my 'best fit' but after all the hassles of booking it was the best fir for which decent seats were available. Having gone to opening night, I think there is a moral obligation to report back promptly.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, at least I enjoyed the performance; I had some real issues with the horrible man sat next to me, and further interesting challenges to my not unreasonable expectation to get home by a simple and quick method.
The star of the show was Rolando Villazón and he was fabulous. I did actually see him last time round, nearly five years ago now, and I did ponder - then he was a a rising star exploding onto the scene. Now, an established star and a known quantity, so, different expectations!
As far as I was concerned he could do no wrong. There are still people worrying on the internet about his 'vocal crisis', and more generally concern about a) his choice of roles and b) his tendency to give his all to a performance. The last two I think are fairly justified: I don't want him to ruin his voice in the manner of Carreras and Alagna by choosing too dramatic roles, and well, a high octane performance is wonderful when it's happening, but ask me again in twenty years time! This role is ideal for him, vocally and dramatically. This is quite an old production, from 1980, and the original is captured on DVD starring mine and Rolando's hero. It would be unreasonable to make comparisons, but actually, I would be entirely comfortable at doing so, and I did not find Rolando lacking.
Although I freely admit that this is not a great opera, it holds a very special place in my heart that makes it amongst my favourites, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I had originally booked to go a second time, but returned my tickets because I am now going to Iphigenie en Tauride in Valencia that weekend. I want to go again, but suspect that returns will be hard to come by - I heard there was a long queue at the Box Office. So, if you happen to have a spare ticket, hello!
Afterwards we went to the Stage Door but the security chap pointed out what we already guessed - there was a First Night party happening; we judged it may not be worth staying around.
Last night's performance was dedicated to Richard Hickox who died suddenly on Monday.
