Originally Posted by
behuman
P.S. : To make an opera anti-American is giving too much importance to politics. I remember a shocking production of Theodora in Glyndebourne which was as well over the top. This even for me who otherwise would have agreed with the message but found it out of place in an opera production.
Interesting - the 1996 Peter Sellars production of Theodora is considered a classic - it received rave reviews from the British press, and it has at its center an incredibly moving performance by the lamented Lorraine Hunt Lieberson as Irene.
Yes, Sellars' hand-motions can be repetitive, and the modern dress can be jarring to some, but Sellars does tell the story as set down by Handel and the librettist (Morrell). But I understand that each viewer has his/her ideas as to production styles, and all opinions are valid, of course.
