Giulio Cesare 2018 comes into its own (Glyndebourne, 23 June 2018)
Posted by dehggial
That week was all about Glyndebourne and it being June, we were graced with good to very good weather – bright skies, fluffy clouds, fragrant roses and fields and acceptable temperatures for this time of the day in a temperate climate.
It’s quite amusing (in an endearing way) to see people’s first reaction at arriving in the bucolic English countryside for opera. Agathe said pictures don’t do it justice, as you think what is posted is the best of the best possible angles but when you get there it’s that in 360 surround. She also reckons it’s bigger and more remote than Bayreuth. Though remote isn’t exactly what I would call English countryside (unless it’s the moors). It is very much the country, rolling hills that just cry out for a long walk with your hounds, healthy crops, shady country lanes and exquisitely tended to look awesome-wild flower beds but it isn’t quite the same as Croatian forest wild.
Under the care of the younger Christie Glyndebourne has become more accomodating to the younger and trendier crowds (though the big bulk is still mature audiences that think nothing of dishing out £200 on a ticket and having the swanky G-dining experience on top of that) whilst at the same time getting really creative with the type and design of products they can attach the G logo to. If I had the money to spent I’d be shelling a few hundreds on G goods, they are all very well done.
So this time it was Agathe and I who took the train from Victoria to Lewes along with various picnic-ers and someone who looked suspiciously much like Patricia Bardon (conspicuous: no luggage, no picnic/gown attire but took the designated train and got off at Lewes with all of us; moreover, she was on the train back with all of us). In the G gardens, we met Giulia at the interval over some major Baroque-swooning (you can read her account here if you haven’t already).
Giulio Cesare: Sarah Connolly
Cleopatra: Joelle Harvey
Tolomeo: Christophe Dumaux
Cornelia: Patricia Bardon
Sesto: Anna Stephany
Achilla: John Moore
Nireno: Kangmin Justin Kim
Curio: Harry Thatcher
Conductor: William Christie | Orchestra or the Age of Enlightenment
Director: David McVicar
Like a vintage convertible, Cesare took a couple of performances to come into its own. Compared to previous week (second performance of the run), everybody seemed more relaxed and ready to adlib.
After seeing two performances, I am happy with everything but above all I loved the sound of the orchestra to a delirious degree (ha!). With the less than satisfactory acoustics of Ulrichskirche still fresh in mind, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment in the Glyndebourne hall had my ears purring.
All three of us agreed that this is one of the best period ensembles (or ensembles who play period Baroque) on the market today. I still have the gorgeous sound of the low strings from Svegliatevi nel core1 ringing in my ears. It’s not quiet playing but it’s always accomodating the singers and still the power comes through. Certain Baroque-playing bands that fancy themselves rock’n’roll badass should pay attention to this subtle solidity.
I highly enjoyed focusing on this time was Christie’s interaction with orchestra and singers. He quite obviously allowed the singers to lead and do their thing2 and then he would bring in the orchestra with perfect timing, giving specific instruments their moment to shine as well – all this with elegance of movement and minimal fuss (none of that flying off the conductor’s stand).
Posted on July 31, 2018, in baroque, basses, countertenors, favourite opera productions, glyndebourne, live performances, mezzos & contraltos, opera trips, sopranos and tagged giulio cesare, glyndebourne 2018, handel, orchestra of the age of enlightenment, william christie. Bookmark the permalink. 12 Comments.
me swooning at early hours before sunrise reading this..
(and haha this is the first time i heard usage of the word “bucolic” after all these times listening to the “bucolic spendour” SM’s clip on tube so i have the perfect image in head reading your description of the English countryside )
yes, it’s just like that 😉 you need to make it to G one year (after the plants bloom).
” it isn’t quite the same as Croatian forest wild.”… fewer bears?
I heard they might actually start to import wolves and bears (hopefully from Eastern Europe, they’re shooting them there).
🙂 our Cesar day gets an extra post ♥! This reads lovely and such a nice reminder of this truly great Glyndebourne day! I still can’t believe this wasn’t taped because I really think that listening experience with Christie, band and acoustics combined was one of the best I ever had, absolutely magical. (of course my brain has now nearly forgotten the night spent at the airport and thinks it a fair price paid 😀).
🙂 it was a lovely day and in fact the other day I was walking around, thinking about how it is to be there for the first time and have a great time. And having seen Cesare without Christie you can really tell the difference, even with the same band and singers (post to come).
Ah, right, you were to see it with a different conductor as well, I remember. But you must have had warm weather throughout the evening I hope
it was the one day when it rained that week 😉
Too bad, I think it was hotter in all of northern Europe than in Italy last week. Still, those lovely Glyndebourne grounds, probably still nice in rain ☔ (hehe, my mobile adds silly pictures on its’own account)
very cute 🙂 oh, yes, it was misty like in Jane Eyre 😉 very interesting landscape, looking all November-like but feeling not too cold after all. And it forced random people to interact at the picnic tables.
Ah, I like that scenario! (especially since here its going to be 33 degrees again today)
beach time!