Benvenuto Cellini - Berlioz

[motodraconis]

I saw this way back in June, but I simply haven't had the time to review it.


And, er...



I'm really struggling to remember what the fuck it was all about...



Not that one goes to the opera for dazzling storylines. But this one seemed (even back in June) rather more unmemorable than usual. Ok. think! Think! This is Benvenuto Cellini, goldsmith and sculptor...



...who's in love with this girl...Thingymajig...



...she loves him back, inexplicably, as he's a murderous, obnoxious, arrogant arsehole...



...who mistreats his employees...



This guy also loves Thingymajig...



...he's also a bit of a wanker; and is thrown into a well, for er, reasons I forget...



Now Terry Gilliam is the director and co-set designer, and he makes a valiant effort to perk up this otherwise, "rarely-performed" opera. Though the guy on the left seems quite unimpressed.



Now, to be fair, the music was non-offensive.



Willard White as Pope Clement VII was a high point...





But for me, the problem with this opera was just how unpleasant and unappealing ALL the characters were, none of whom had any outstanding arias to lift them in interest, making it hard to give much of a shit about any of them.



I can't even remember, did Cellini get the girl in the end? Did he complete his commission to the Pope? Do I actually care?



Utterly forgettable. Well staged ENO, but I think there is a reason this is a "rarely-played" opera.

All photos from the ENO facebook as usual.

Comments

[ingaborg.livejournal.com]

Shame about the music, story and characters, but it looks like a visually glorious production!

[motodraconis.livejournal.com]

The ENO do seem to turn to Gilliam for the difficult operas, good for me, to see a real variety with still having interesting things to look at.

[crazycrone.livejournal.com]

Arf, I enjoyed it, but have to agree; however well mounted and sung; it's a bit o'fluff, really, and the characters are all fairly unpleasant/dull/both.
The zoned-out bloke on the left,is actually a veteran bass at ENO...

[motodraconis.livejournal.com]

The characters should be engaging, but somehow are not. No wonder its so rarely staged.
Hur, that blokie's expression is brilliant!