Operas About the Romanovs

[Jmentanko]

Did anyone see the documentary last night on Discovery Civilization called "Nicky & Alix". I wasn't able to see it all because I went out. However what I did see was very interesting.

[anna]

They have made an opera about the story of N & A. With
Placido Domingo as Rasputin. I'm not an opera-lover, but it sounds very interesting how they put such a story on stage. Anyone seen this opera in the USA?

Anna

[Robert_Hall]

Was that the opera by Drattek/von Hoffman?
there was also a work "Rasputin" by  Jay Reise.
Both pretty well flopped.

[_Rodger_]

Dratteck wrote the music, columnist Nicholas von Hoffman, the libretto.

I sent an email message to the LA Opera's 'resident expert' asking about the production and the historical material underlying it, but never received a reply.  

Maybe that was indicative of the Company's pre-production impression of the work?  

The reviews were mostly apathetic, but remember, this is opera, and reviews based on first impressions in opera are rarely enthusiastic.  An opera needs multiple exposures to eyes and ears before it can be understood and evaluated.  

Le Nozze de Figaro closed after 2 weeks because of poor reviews.

On the other hand, I know of commissioned operas that were hailed and embraced by reviewers on first impression that simply haven't stood the test of time.  This tends to be the case particularly with 'modernist' operas from roughly the mid-20th century.

The upshot of all of this is that an opera, probably because of the complexity involved in a new production and the demands it makes on it's audience, has to be measured with a different yardstick than other forms of popular entertainment.  

[Silja]

Oh, how interesting. I had always wondered whether it wasn't a good idea to write an opera or musical on the subject. I'd also like to know more about this. Hopefully it will indeed be performed again somewhere someday so that more people can form an opinion about it.

[Robert_Hall]

 There also was an opera in NY that came & went rather rapidly I think.  Do not recall the details.
Now I hear that Sir Andrew is considering  a West End musical on the topic, but that is just rumour.

[Penny_Wilson]

One of the rights that Greg and I own in The Fate of the Romanovs is "musical rights" -- which I have always thought to be an hilarious idea in the abstract.  And something which is just a standard boilerplate piece of an author's contract.  But now Andrew L-W is thinking of it seriously? Of all the stories out there that would make terrific musical theater, this is NOT one of them!  Serious theater, ok. I can even see an opera being made.  But anything lighter?  Nuh-uh.  Won't work.  The idea of this family breaking into bouts of song and dance whilst living in prison conditions is not something I can see.

Mind you, what do I know?  I didn't think that "Ragtime" would make a good musical...  

[Nick_Nicholson]

Historically, the worst ideas have often made great musicals: Evita for one, and Titanic for another.

I saw the recent Nicholas and ALexandra opera (which was apallingly bad), but have always thought it would make a great opera in the right hands.

Nick

[Ilana]

Some years ago I saw the ballet ANASTASIA in London, done by the ROyal Ballet.  I thought it was dreadful, and I was particularly disappointed because I love Frederick Ashton's choreography... he did the ROMEO AND JULIET that many are familiar with.

The first act takes place on the Standart with the girls just flitting away with the officers on board.

The second act takes place in an insane asylum.

Nothing much happens either way....  

First Post!!!!

Ilana

[_Rodger_]

A friend of mine saw a performance of the opera.  I trust my friend's artistic impressions, and he thought it was very good.

[Robert_Hall]

Good or bad, I would be very happy to have seen any of the productions. Just not been in the right place at the right time.

[Silja]

I think it would make a terrific subject for either musical or opera. And I also absolutely disagree about the characters not being interesting enough for a treatment in musical theatre - quite the contrary!

Besides, musical doesn't necessarily mean "light subject", or "musical comedy".
The life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria has been turned into a quite brilliant musical!!! Of course we wouldn't want something like "Starlight Express" . . . .

It all depended on whether the writers did it well or badly, and admittedly, I could also see it totally fail unless it was done by people with real skills and thorough historical knowledge.
And if I had to choose between seeing a dreadful musical or opera on the subject and seeing none at all, I'd also rather have none at all. Still, I think it worth considering for musical theatre!!!

Regards from a fan of musical and opera

[Robert_Hall]

I agree, the subjects would definitely be worth  the effort & expense.  {the Empress Elizabeth musical, I thought was beautiful, & I do not speak or understand German, but the story was so familiar, it did not matter].
I reckon, that if the Titanic & Eva Peron merit musicals, & the king of Sweden an opera, why not  the Romanovs?
In an area such as this, however, talent on all fronts must be pretty supreme.

[Silja]

Hi Robert,

Yes, I agree. You actually saw Elisabeth ? That is interesting. In Vienna, I suppose? I'll be going to Vienna in about two weeks to see the new Viennese production of the show. I only know the slightly different German version so far.
It's funny you should write the story is "so familiar" . In fact the musical set out to destroy the clichéd, romantic view of Elisabeth so familiar in Germany as a result from the Austrian "Sissi" movies starring Romy Schneider. Those films are lovely but they give a totally false picture of the unhappy and depressive empress.

[Robert_Hall]

Yes, Vienna 1992.  I had to find the cast cd to remember what year !
I found it rather sympathetic to Elizabeth. I had no idea it is being restaged.  I would not mind seeing it again.  I think, but could be wrong, that it also played in several European cities.
There is also a musical "Anastasia Affaire" a Rachami noff musical.  I have the cast cd, but have never seen it.
BTW, Penny, the Romanov story need not necessarily dwell on the trajedy, it could deal with the romance,  the lives of the children.  I think that is why such productions tend to fail. After all, we all know how the story ends, why not  try for the good times.