Held on a Tudor estate in the blissful countryside of East Sussex, the summer opera festival at Glyndebourne tends to be described—often by foreigners—as the epitome of Englishness. In reality, it is more of a caricature
your wicker hamper across the stiletto-punctured lawn and bag a spot beside the ha-ha. You say “ha-ha” a lot because this is the only chance you get. Smoothing your frock or tuxedo, you head inside for the opera—in this case, “L’elisir d’amore”, Donizetti’s comic delight of 1832—re-emerging at the long interval to picnic and covet your neighbour’s candelabra.
The weather was kind on the opening weekend, so patrons didn’t need to summon the sangfroid to picnic in the rain, as occasionally they must. But a strike on the railways, a scourge of the times, complicated the trip. It nixed the train back to Victoria station, meaning Londoners had to petition for ticket refunds and drive.
Then there is the old-fashioned politics, and recent scarcity, of money. Producing high-end opera is horribly expensive—and companies everywhere are feeling the pinch. Audiences are ageing. In America, philanthropy is erratic. In Britain, state funding has been slashed, leading Glyndebourne to cancel its usual autumn tour . The glorious summer festival receives no subsidy, but tickets are pricey and go mostly to paid-up members.
As it happens, the plot of “L’elisir d’amore” features a huckster who peddles a bogus cure for all known ailments, intending, like a cynical politician, to be off the stage before he is rumbled. In his case the panacea is a potion that his marks are soon guzzling and slathering on themselves. One of them is Nemorino, sung here by Matteo Desole, a peasant in love with a landowner .
Österreich Neuesten Nachrichten, Österreich Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
Southgate knows Euro 2024 must go ‘very, very well’ to keep England job - Football365Gareth Southgate knows next year’s Euros will have to go extremely well for it to be a “possibility in anybody’s eyes” for him to stay on as England manager...
Weiterlesen »
Up to 80 robberies a day unsolved in England and Wales, say Lib DemsThe Liberal Democrats has claimed at least 80 robberies a day were left unsolved last year. They're accusing Suella Braverman of becoming ’embroiled in endless scandals’ whilst criminals are being ‘let off the hook’.
Weiterlesen »
Sun halos, arcs and upside-down rainbows seen across EnglandThin, high cloud gave a spectacular show of halos, arcs and upside-down rainbows.
Weiterlesen »
Near-Perfect Memorial Day Weather in New EnglandAlthough Sunday’s summer heat of 80s and lower 90s was an appreciated gift for some who’ve been aching for summer, Memorial Day remembrances and ceremonies outside will be much more enjoyable in the new, fresh air that has arrived for the holiday, with high temperatures some 20 to 25 degrees cooler than Sunday, topping out in the 60s east and…
Weiterlesen »
Homeless hostels closing their doors as cash-strapped councils cut 'non-essential' servicesSeveral hostels for people experiencing homelessness in England are being forced to close their doors as cash-strapped councils slash funding Kent County Council is in the process of removing funding from its homelessness service 🔴 luciemheath reports
Weiterlesen »