From Ward Holmquist, artistic director
Something extraordinary happened during the fourth performance of our new AIDA production on Friday night. Someone booed – twice. The first instance came at the end of the Consecration Scene, a dimly lit scene in Act 1 which includes the sacrifice of a virgin after her partial disrobing (above the waist). Clearly a moment not in Verdi’s original conception of the scene, but (IMHO) a highly theatrical visual setting worthy of an Indiana Jones movie (the original, I believe). The scene ended, and a disapproving male rang out with a loud “boo!”
The second followed when the lights came up on the following scene – Amneris in her boudoir, lying on her large bed with a pair of scantily-clad male lovers keeping her company. The offended attendee announced his disapproval again, followed quickly by another patron contradicting by shouting “Boo you!
The offended patron was not heard from again for the rest of the evening, and the standing ovation of the audience at the end lead us to believe that in general our presentation was well received.
In conversation with veteran KC Symphony musicians during intermission, no one could ever remember a Lyric performance eliciting such a response.
It would seem that we have struck a nerve of some with this production. There are those who are utterly comfortable with all the operatic murders on stage throughout the repertory, but never wish to see anything that anyone might consider sexual.
While I respect people’s differing types of morality, I find this hypersensitivity to common sexual expression and total acceptance of assault and murder on the stage disingenuous in the extreme. Are we a people who accept the taking of human life as acceptable, but sexual contact as unacceptable? Doesn’t that sound foolish – and just plain wrong.
Opera as theater depicts the reality of human life. Attempting to sanitize its portrayal is just another instance of our insecure, hypercritical views about aspects of who we are that we are uncomfortable with.
One of theater’s chief tasks is to help us (or force us) to look at ourselves in a clear, focused and polished mirror with revelatory lighting.
And, just in case someone felt that our portrayal of Egyptian court life is inaccurate – Rameses II fathered over 100 children (and had a line of condoms named after him).
5 responses so far ↓
Kim J // June 25, 2008 at 1:45 am |
I attended that performance (lovely, by the way). So, while I was startled by the boo-ing, I found the member of the audience who chose to take a photo of that scene to be the most offensive. We’re all allowed and encouraged to express our appreciation (or not) of the performance, but we were specifically asked to not take pictures. That was poor taste on his/her behalf.
KLM // June 25, 2008 at 1:46 am |
That booer was probably Reverend Phelps of Topeka, a professional disapprover of everything he hasn’t found in his own expurgated Bible.
Kim J // June 25, 2008 at 1:47 am |
Good guess…but he wouldn’t buy a ticket when he could stand out on the front steps to harass us as we arrive.
Laurie U // June 25, 2008 at 1:48 am |
I loved the show and so did the people with me. I remember when the performances were sung in English. As soon as the Lyric changed to the native language I bought season tickets and have had them every year since. Each year the shows get better and better and more spectacular. I thought the realism added to the show. Kansas City is finally growing up. Sounds like some of the people still need to!
Anonymous // June 25, 2008 at 1:49 am |
Amneris was the daughter of pharaoh. She was not a slut. In fact she is a regal figure who at the end of the opera is to be pittied.
I had no objection to the nude scene.
I thought the dog was a little much. but I gueass the director thought his audience was a bunch of morons who whouldn’t get the social staement he was trying to make without the dog.