Tonight it was yet another opera, this time Nicola Raab’s production of Verdi’s “Macbeth.” I went with some reservation, because it had gotten some overwhelmingly bad reviews.  What’s more, during the intermission tonight, I heard a great deal of criticism on elements ranging from the sets to the costumes to the lighting.

 All I can say is this:  What’s with you people?  I’ve been going to the opera for over twenty years, and I’ve seen dozens of productions at the Met, the L’Opera Bastille, and on and on.  In other words, I ‘know from opera,’ and this production was fantastic!  When Lady Macbeth first appeared onstage — on top of a huge prop and elevated off the stage a good thirty feet — I thought my heart would stop.  Played by the excellent Georgina Lukacs, she was smolderingly sexy, viciously ambitious, and downright fierce in her intensity.  There she was, all in black, belting out her sinister plans in piercing, angry notes . . . drama!  intrigue!  high treason!  This is what good opera is all about!  I wish I had a photo to post, but they’re not allowed inside the opera house.

I heard a lot of criticisms about the both the sets and the costumes, from professional reviewers and audience members alike.  The sets were non-traditional, to be sure, but hasn’t anyone in SF ever seen a production that shocked the senses?  Did it ever occur to anyone that the provocative nature of the costumes was intentional?  I just LOVED the slatternly witches’ costumes all in lurid shades of red; such a refreshing change from the wart-infested, decrepit variants that  are usually foisted upon us.  In the final act, there’s a disorienting mirrored room set that looks eerily reminiscent of a psych ward . . . which is the perfect enhancement to Macbeth’s descent into madness.    What’s more, the sets were similar to some very unorthodox staging done by no less than Judy Taymor at the Met last year.   I loved it!  I enjoyed the non-conformist elements, I was titillated by each unexpected costume, and I was positively thrilled by the drama created by the confluence of all the avant-garde components that Nicola Raab was gutsy enough to try.

All I can say is that San Franciscans must like more traditional renditions of classic operas.  One woman in front of me lamented the fact that the singers weren’t wearing “period costumes.   The ones with those funny collars, you know?”  Yeah, right lady.   Go to the opera in Kansas, I say.

I should also mention our dinner,  which we had at Cafe Delle Stelle.  One word:  Ick.  This is one of those restaurants that believe good Italian food means using immense quantities of garlic, and that ‘al dente’ means ‘crunchy.’  It’s also apparently believes that good service means bringing your guests their food, then leaving to take a twenty-minute cigarette break . . . despite the fact that everyone there is going to an opera or symphony and need their check quickly.  Don’t waste your money on this one.

Next week, it’s yet another opera, and we’re going to try our luck at the Hayes Street Grill for dinner.   It’s gotten uniformly good reviews from people I trust, and it looks warm and inviting too.  The design of the place reminds me of some restaurants in Sonoma I’ve been to and enjoyed, so I’ve got high hopes. 

Posted on November 28th, 2007 by Thomas
Filed under: Opera, San Francisco