Sunday, February 15, 2009

Verdi on High Definition?


Some snobbism is allowed when Verdi's work is at stake. At least, according to many Verdi-informed music lovers. Since I have loved his work since I was able to read, I consider myself worthy of voicing an opinion on the matter.

Incidentally, I am currently reading much about Verdi's impact on Italian/European politics of the 19-century and the more I become involved with the topic, the more I see my admiration for the composer morph into yet another (much deserved!) cognitive appreciation. Experientially, I have always 'gotten' his work. Now it's cognition's turn to catch up.

As a supporter of the arts, I list Verdi as one of the highlights of my upbringing and life. Watching things like Casa Ricordi didn't just give me musical pleasure for the moment, it also taught me concretely about the pragmatic aspect of creative genius. Verdi epitomizes just that. Having overcome an amazing sea of hardships, the composer manages to maintain his stoicism while creating some of the most soul-feeding melodies the West has yet to experience.

Watching a Verdi production live is something that the language cannot adequately contain or explain.
Nabucco, Aida, and Traviata were created to be experienced by sold out audiences and Verdi, like very, very few artists, had the right vision to know that when people would love his work, the would love it in great numbers and with much passion.

I read an interesting bit on the Times today about the use of technology in broadcasting and how it is making an impact on live productions of operas as well. I think Verdi would have been a fan of the notion of allowing many people to experience his works in almost perfect synchronicity.

Something like La Scala times 1000 would have given him pleasure, I think.

The composer produced the kind of music that inspired not only the bona fide music lover but people at large, peasant and nobleman alike.

Would I like to watch Aida on a huge screen in San Francisco when it is being performed live in Milan? Yes.

Would I rather want to watch it at La Scala? Yes.

This scenario strikes me as a rare yes/yes one.

A paragraph says:

"The Teatro Alla Scala in Milan broadcast its gala opening night, a performance of Verdi’s “Don Carlo,” live on Dec. 7. At the New York showing, in the Miller Theater at Columbia University the Milanese glitter of tuxedos, gowns and dripping jewels on the screen contrasted with the bulky sweaters, down jackets and eccentric facial hair of an Upper West Side crowd."

The entire article is here.

And might I treat you with Verdi's "Va Pensiero sull' ali dorate" from his opera Nabucco? This particular production comes from 2001 at the Metropolitan Opera House.







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A Note on Sociality

At the airport I noticed an older gentleman who was sitting next to me who looked like he wanted to ask me something.
I was too preoccupied with what I was reading/writing, however. But something told me to go ahead and make eye contact.
I take great pleasure out of those moments in time when I get to quietly do my own thing and controlling the outer noise with my kind of micromanaged noise, my playlists, is something I take active interest in.

However, I decide to make eye contact with the older gentleman. As suspected, he was just in need of exchanging some general remarks about the weather, the immediate culture of the places we both live in, and the like.

I then did the unthinkable.
I turned off all of my gadgets and sat quietly for a few minutes. I thought it kind to get rid of my pronounced ignoring of all that was around me.

Perhaps a lack of apparent detachment is the best gift one give other, passing strangers. A little bit of silent human warmth goes a long way. And it does not need be verbal. A simple gesture of I-won't-be-turning-my-iPod-back-on-so-in-case-you'd-like-to-talk-more-about-nothing-of-significance-and/or-relevance can mean much to some.

And the caring of a perfect stranger might perhaps feel as relevant as that of the familiar/familial.

Maybe not.

Be that as it may, one of the few times it's ok to disconnect is silence-related. Not just purposeless silence but rather the kind that is informed by quiet caring.




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