The Flying Dutchman Will Slaughter Your Dog: Leipzig Riots, Production Suspended
“The Flying Dutchman” directed by Michael von zur Muehlen @ Leipzig opera premiered on Saturday night.
We don't really know whether it worked musically or not, but videos of such extreme violence -- dogfights, slaughterhouses -- were projected on a big screen that when a stripper took off her clothes on stage, riots erupted in the audience.
Now baritone James Johnson has stepped out (next month Wolfgang Brendel will take over the role) and the production has been suspended for the time being.
The Leipziger Volkszeitung is not amused.
Its readers aren't, either.
German garbage of the worst kind.
Posted by: Victor | October 14, 2008 at 04:27 PM
Ew.
Posted by: Coloratura Tempura | October 14, 2008 at 05:10 PM
More disgusting Eurotrash productions! If this is where opera is headed, then it is headed for extinction.
Posted by: Les Mitchell | October 14, 2008 at 10:39 PM
Well, as Mama Rose said "You gotta have a gimmick." Why the contentious Wagner clan does not sue, I have no idea, except that they subconsciously want to trash the Ghost of the Old Man within an inch of his aesthetic.
Posted by: Bill Philin Ploplis | October 15, 2008 at 01:27 PM
This one looks particularly loopy. That first photo is intriguing, though -- is he going to knibble her knickers? But I do agree with 'infant' -- it is not necessary or fair to single this out as "German garbage". Its wellsprings are many.
Posted by: Philip Amos | October 15, 2008 at 01:37 PM
There used to be a line of thought that any publicity is good publicity.
I believe strongly in the ethos of energy and vitality. One can understand attempts at modernism, but depressingly in German/Austrian houses, this appears to only be constituted in shock value. By 2008, society at large has been offered t!t$ and a$$ openly for the past 50 years... Watersports, defacation, et al, is the purvue of the most bored and jaded. Been there done that in 70's porn. Its all such a yawn today.
The recent and inspired production 'The Minotaur' at Covent Garden which featured as much gore as possible blew me out the door for its brilliant use within the story line. Critics and audience alike went bonkers at this 'new' theatric. THIS is how its done, and THAT is what creates tremendous publicity. For a fact, if Covent Garden remounts this production, I'LL BE THERE. Funny thing about Covent Garden.. they are like the Rome opera. When you least expect it, they smack you in the head, and show you how opera is REALLY done.
In the end, leave the provicial and lesser houses to do trifling work for the low end publicity such productions merit. At least they know their place, and don't even try to aspire above their station.
Posted by: CrewMantle | October 15, 2008 at 02:56 PM
The audience have given them generous
"applause" for an answer, which is most encouraging. If they dare to stage it again it is going to be different.
The stripper has a very nice body, perfect for Lido, Paris.
Maazel has been justified again!
Posted by: Maria | October 15, 2008 at 04:22 PM
Doing the music well is evidently not enough at all, and so sensationalism is needed. I often suspect this is useful to cover up poor performances. But not always. There wasn't anything wrong with the singing, etc., at the Dresden Rigoletto but Florez and Damrau still had either to paw breasts or hop about a bedroom like a crazed animal. I think singers should rebel and refuse to go along with this tripe.
Posted by: Chris | October 17, 2008 at 04:09 AM