04 Jul 13
http://news.yahoo.com/10-000-watch-opera-giants-battle-draw-102725419.html?sf14550244=1
Would this be a nil-nil draw? Or a real slugfest, a mult-igoal thriller, a back and forth where the last possession may be the clincher? I say most definitely a slugfest of musical genius rarely taking place concurrently throughout a lifetime of extraordinary achievement. Both composers gifted us some of history's greatest masterworks and immeasurable pleasure.
07 Jul 13
Originally posted by KewpieExcellent indeed. I love both and in the end it is sort of an apples and oranges argument where both fruits are of the highest order and incredibly delectable.
Found a couple of clips (there's not much up except for the trailer):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0BRzl7hiRU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iwu_G93ux9w
Wish I'd been there.
07 Jul 13
Originally posted by scacchipazzoI like both apples and oranges, but I prefer oranges. And I'm prepared to come down on Wagner's side here. Verdi was a great composer in many many ways, but I find Wagner's music more coherent, more perfect, more complex, more profoundly integrated into the development of a narrative, more far-reaching, more transformative, more revolutionary.
Excellent indeed. I love both and in the end it is sort of an apples and oranges argument where both fruits are of the highest order and incredibly delectable.
08 Jul 13
Originally posted by TeinosukeI cannot find any fault in your argument for I basically feel the same and anger my many Italian friends. Wagner was indeed unique and special. IN the end however, I enjoy both composers so much I can never decide which to bring on trips so I always bring both!
I like both apples and oranges, but I prefer oranges. And I'm prepared to come down on Wagner's side here. Verdi was a great composer in many many ways, but I find Wagner's music more coherent, more perfect, more complex, more profoundly integrated into the development of a narrative, more far-reaching, more transformative, more revolutionary.
08 Jul 13
1 edit
Originally posted by scacchipazzoI'd add that in my humble opinion, Mozart was greater than either, indeed, probably the greatest composer in all opera. And of course, he cleverly confounds any nationalistic prejudices by his triumphant success as a composer in both the German and the Italian versions of the medium!
I cannot find any fault in your argument for I basically feel the same and anger my many Italian friends. Wagner was indeed unique and special. IN the end however, I enjoy both composers so much I can never decide which to bring on trips so I always bring both!
08 Jul 13
Originally posted by TeinosukeMozart indeed may be the best of all. His gift was speaking Italian fluently and the very understanding of the beautiful language helped him write masterpieces in that language along with the help of Lorenzo da Ponte. Da Ponte was a literary genius and his libretti had such beautiful writing it was impossible for a genius like Mozart not to find writing great music to such libretti. Da Ponte ends up in NYC after his association with Mozart ends and taught Italian literature at Columbia. He is buried in NYC. Of all Italian composers writing in the classical/baroque genre only Pergolesi's Serva Padrona comes close to Cosi Fan Tutte, Nozze di Figaro and Don Giovanni. In German Beethoven's Fidelio and von Weber's Der Freischutze are excellent examples of a Mozartean style.
I'd add that in my humble opinion, Mozart was greater than either, indeed, probably the greatest composer in all opera. And of course, he cleverly confounds any nationalistic prejudices by his triumphant success as a composer in both the German and the Italian versions of the medium!
11 Jul 13
Originally posted by scacchipazzoIt was only recently that I learned that Da Ponte ended his days in the United States - strange to think of his bridging such different worlds!
Mozart indeed may be the best of all. His gift was speaking Italian fluently and the very understanding of the beautiful language helped him write masterpieces in that language along with the help of Lorenzo da Ponte. Da Ponte was a literary genius and his libretti had such beautiful writing it was impossible for a genius like Mozart not to find writing ...[text shortened]... thoven's Fidelio and von Weber's Der Freischutze are excellent examples of a Mozartean style.
Of course, Freischutz is a kind of missing link between Mozart and Wagner, as is shown by the fact that it's often sung by singers with a Wagnerian repertoire.
Speaking of Mozart's German output, I think it's a great tragedy that he never finished his Zaide! Ruhe sanft, mein Holdes Leben is one of the most sublime soprano arias I know:
11 Jul 13
Originally posted by TeinosukeI have always loved this aria and because my mother's name is Zaide I find it even more endearing. There are many jewels in the German language operatic repertoire.
It was only recently that I learned that Da Ponte ended his days in the United States - strange to think of his bridging such different worlds!
Of course, Freischutz is a kind of missing link between Mozart and Wagner, as is shown by the fact that it's often sung by singers with a Wagnerian repertoire.
Speaking of Mozart's German output, I think it's ...[text shortened]... s one of the most sublime soprano arias I know:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSQqbJPoSbw