Date sent: Wed, 02 Feb 2000 10:53:35 -0500
To: VOCALIST <vocalist>
Subject: Re: re: Olympia interpretation?
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

Kylie wrote:

< infatuation for this creature of perfection:) she would have to be
reasonably "life-like" but not too much.>>

Of course, don't forget that (evil) Dr. Coppelius gives Hoffman rose-colored glasses - which through real or psychological magic, affect Hoffman's perception of Olympia. After all, the crowd in the scene isn't fooled, and laughs at Hoffman's folly!

I've seen the role done lots of ways. When I saw it at Wolf Trap many summers past, Tracy Dahl sang Olympia (in what I assume was her first assumption of the role) on roller skates! I laugh just thinking about it, all these years later.

I also think a lot of the effect can be achieved with make-up and costume and staging. The last time I saw the opera, Olympia was made up like a doll, with bright spots on the cheeks, and wearing doll-like clothes, and being stored in a special doll-like location.

If you have a good sense of humor and aren't put off by the VERY risque, you should check out the version of this aria that's seen in the movie "Topsy Turvy" (currently in theaters), which is a movie about Gilbert and Sullivan and how "The Mikado" came to be. The Olympia aria version (performed
by two women in deshabille) occurs in the movie at a private party during composer Sullivan's vacation in Paris. If this scene tickles your funny bone, perhaps just the thought of it will loosen everything up when you sing the aria!

Peggy

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Peggy Harrison, Alexandria, VA
mailto:peggyh-at-ix.netcom.com
"Music for a While Shall All Your Cares Beguile"