Students in the Opera Company of Philadelphia's Sounds of Learning program saw the final dress rehearsal of Gounod's Romeo and Juliet on Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at the Academy of Music.Inspired by Shakespeare's play, this R&J was updated to the present day world of fashion! The Capulets and Montagues are now warring fashion houses looking to squash each other for market share and brand supremacy.
Now that you've studied the opera and seen it, what were your impressions? Tell us what you think and post your reviews here! Did you like the opera and why? Which was your favorite character and why? Did you like the costumes and sets? Who was your favorite singer? Which singer had the best and most impressive singing voice?
Your review should be at least 50 words or more. Please include your first name, school and grade in your post. Don't forget to support your opinion!
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Comments
I really appreciated the subtitles over the stage. I was prepared to see an opera where I had no idea what they were saying. But I was pleasanty surprised by the words overhead of the actors. The lyrics were incredibely profound and added so much meaning behind the breathtakingly passionate voices. I found my self chuckling, sighing, and crying. The orchestra was spot on and the score was beautiful.
The costumes were beautiful and creative. They added pizzaz to the set. I wish I owned many of the dresses.
I loved the stair case piece. Even though it was the only major set price it never got tiring and added alot of beauty to the stage.
Romeo and Juliet was an amazing production and I am so thankful that I got to see it.
I think the opera was ok. The singing was very pretty, but since the words were in French, it was hard to watch the actors as well as read the words at the top of the stage. The large staircase in the middle of the stage as seemed to be in the way a lot. All of the clothing and costumed looked great!I loved the actresses that you chose. It felt that some of the actors were simply there, saying their lines; although some of the actors acted like the show was real, and they were out the living their lines. I didn't like the story line, because it felt out of order and i had trouble making sense of it. In the beginning, there was a fashion party at the home of Capulet that didn't match the story. The story did feel very realistic when the actors came out into the audience, handing out newspapers, I loved it.
Donica-Marsel Wilson
14
Sharon Hill School, Pa.
My school and I went to see the final dress rehersal of Romeo and Juliet. The acting and the music were awesome! I liked the romance, acting, and liveliness, but the fashion I did not like as much. I liked the props and the hard work the singers did to make their voices stand out. I was sitting in the back & I felt the person singing was only a few feet away! The composer of the music did the very best job because everything was lively and the music was in order and on time with the plot.
Haverford Middle School student
I couldn’t have been more excited when I heard that our school had the opportunity to see the opera Romeo and Juliet at the Academy of Music. The trip certainly lived up to its expectations. Eating delicious lunch at the Caribou Cafe was icing on the cake. I had a great time!
Haverford Middle School student
Lauren-Studio for Strings
My only critiques are these: (1)the last scene of the original play was cut off, and (2) the translation screen was 'difficult'. As for (1), I felt that the original play's final scene was a rather necessary resolve to the play, a way of knowing what happened to everyone else afterward, rather than simply that Romeo and Juliet die (my apologies to all who did not previously know this). And for (2), I had some trouble following the translations up on the screen and the actions down below. At times, I would have to chose between watching the dancing or reading the translation. (I must admit that this was probably not too much of a problem for anyone not in the back row.) Still, it was a beautiful performance, my third opera, and I am pleased to say that I will most definitely return to see another great show!
My favorite part of the "Romeo & Juliet" opera would have to be when the infamous "It is the east, and Juliet is the sun" where Romeo is standing beneath Juliet's balcony. The set was spectacular: the dimly lit stage, illuminated only by a few lights and the staircase that appeared in every scene.
Though I do not understand a word of French, I adored the fact that the whole opera was produced in French. Such a romantic language!
Romeo & Juliet had me dying to see it once more. This was definitely a rare opportunity and I am glad that I was able to witness something so profound & well put together.
My impression was that the opera (Tosca) will be romantic but will also produce some action later in the story. I am not sure what the The consul of the ROman Republic is but I think that it was a government that was overthrown or and anarchist group.
I think that Cavaradossi didn't tell Tosca about Angelotti because he didn't trust her to keep a secret if she is jealous or being questioned, and I beleive that this causes her to act against his will.
Tosca act 1
I think that the first act of Tosca was very good because it introduced the main characters and clearly identified the main plot of the story. I love the idea and can't wait to read the second act to find how the story unfolds. It's interesting to read and hear the different style of ancient greek tragedies (such as Tosca) and the more modern styles of writing.
I would have done the same thing that Cavaradossi did. Whatever Angelotti did to get in jail was probably not his fault due to the way Scarpia despises both Angelotti and Cavaradossi and how he is as a person. If my friend or family member was in that type of danger, i would do everything if not more to help them than Cavaradossi did.
I think that Tosca killing Scarpia was a great idea. According to the impressions made from the passage, Scarpia was either not a very nice man, or he just misunderstood the situation they were in. Scarpia was going to kill Tasca anyway (he had a knife that he was ready to use next to him) and Tasca probably killed Scarpia out of anger of what he did to Cavaradossi.
I think that Tosca killing Scarpia was a great idea. According to the impressions made from the passage, Scarpia was either not a very nice man, or he just misunderstood the situation they were in. Scarpia was going to kill Tasca anyway (he had a knife that he was ready to use next to him) and Tasca probably killed Scarpia out of anger of what he did to Cavaradossi.
I thought it might have been a little foolish. Tosca probably thought the offer was true before she thought about it because she was A) worked up with the excitement that Cavaradossi would live and B) she was trying to stealthily pick up the knife sitting beside Scarpia.