I put together an opera program. I had been sorting it out in various places depending on its shape, but now that I've experienced it, I feel like I've covered the repertoire to a certain extent. I wonder how many years it's taken to get to this point. In the past, there were critics in Japan who spoke professionally about Verism opera, and I thought that it was something that could be experienced in that way. However, I soon realized that even in Germany, it is difficult to experience a serious opera performance. As I have already mentioned, there are festivals such as the Salzburg Festival that make up for that.

Nevertheless, unlike music festivals and theaters, there are very few cases where they are successful as music theaters. That's why such experts are necessary, but of course, it won't work without criticism, so how difficult is it for such a music theater to be established? It won't work without a society and an audience that supports it. It's a democratic foundation as Habermas says.

Lisa has been replaced again in the new production of "The Queen of Spades" in Baden-Baden. There is footage of the costume fitting for the general rehearsal, so the positive test was probably tested before the performance. As a young person who had been thoroughly trained, there were high expectations, but it would be unfortunate if she fell off there. At least the quality of her light voice must have been to the liking of artistic director Kirill Petrenko. So they quickly brought in a singer who seemed to have more experience, having sung in St. Petersburg and debuted in Salzburg and the Met. Watching her on YouTube, she was good, but her voice was a little thick. I don't know what the outcome will be. At this point, I just want Petrenko to conduct all the performances safely.

Then, it was reported that Sonia Yoncheva, the singer of the Tchaikovsky opera "Iolanthe" that I will be conducting in concert format on Easter Sunday, has tested positive. There are still a few days to go, so she seems to be showing symptoms, but there is a possibility that she will fully recover. In the unlikely event that this happens, I would be happy if Asmik Grigorian, who I have already trained with in Berlin, could perform, but I would like her to return first, as this is Yoncheva's specialty.

And photos and costumes from the full rehearsal of "The Queen of Spades" have been circulating. The costumes are also extravagant and stick to the 19th century. It seems that they are probably conscious of Baden-Baden, but it is very doubtful whether this brings them any closer to the essence.

At least the stage itself is not so abstracted. There will be many things lost as a result. However, from looking at this cut alone, we can see a certain degree of concentration and deformation. Unfortunately, last year's "Mazeppa" is playing in the background of the video, which gives a sense of musical accent.

I actually thought that I would be invited to a full rehearsal, but I didn't hear anything, although it may have been opened to the citizens of Baden-Baden as usual. If that happens, I will have to fill the previous program with stuff.

Reference: The so-called casino concept 2022-04-04 | Culture in general It didn't matter either way ~ 2022-03-10 | Women