George Steel aka the man who's trying to keep NYCO afloat talked to WNYC about a bunch of things -- "labor conversations", detergent, Gerad Mortier, the death of melody, Peter Gelb (Steel says he's a "huge fan" of Pete's), Bernstein in Key West, and a bunch of other things.
Since Steel is a fan of modern opera, of Cuban music, and wants to stage seldom-seen works, Opera Chic would like to suggest him an opera that's really perfect for NYCO -- La Cubana, by Hans Werner Henze. It's vaudeville, it's sexy, it's cool. And there's Hans Magnus Enzensberger, too.
Steel rightly reasserts the greatness of Haydn, comes out as a Chausson nut, and praises Oliver Knussen -- and for Opera Chic these are three bull's eyes in a row, since she is famously a Haydn supporter, a Chausson fan, and loves Ollie very much.
One could almost -- almost -- forgive Steel for his appreciation of John Zorn.
No wait, one really couldn't, enough is enough.
Click below to see Steel's playlist.
Here it is:
Ernest Chausson “Poème de l'amour et de la mer”, Op. 19 [excerpt]. Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra. Armin Jordan. Jessye Norman, soprano. Erato 0927-48992-2.
Franz Joseph Haydn “Sun Quartets”, String Quartet No. 2, Op. 20. Third and Fourth Movements. Hagen Quartet. Lukas Hagen, 1. Violin. Rainer Schmidt, 2. Violin. Veronika Hagen, Viola. Clemens Hagen, Violoncello. DG 439 920-2.
Igor Stravinksy The Flood [excerpt]. London Sinfonietta. Oliver Knussen. Michael Berkeley, narrator; David Wilson-Johnson; Peter Hall. DG 447 068-2.
Gustavo Cabañas Malem “La Rumba que no Termina” [excerpt]. Clave Y Guaguanco. Cuba Chévere 16-0506.
Frederick Delius Koanga [excerpt]. London Symphony Orchestra. Camden Festival Chorus. Sir Charles Groves. Suisa INCD 7442.
John Zorn Necronomicon [excerpt]. Crowley Quartet. Jennifer Choi, violin. Jesse Mills, violin. Richard O’Neill, viola. Fred Sherry, cello. Tzadik TZ 8006.
Whatever!
