I agree with Lloyd on this point. Unfortunately, UK reviews of this type are all too common, the point usually being to show how exceptionally clever and witty and/or cutting the reviewer can be. It can occasionally be entertaining reading, but is little use in telling you how the performance really was. As another example from the same rag, look at the review for The Sixteen concert in the same edition. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,685-283293,00.html
I think that in general this is supposed to be a good review. I can attest to the point that Carolyn Sampson is an excellent soprano. I knew her at university and was lucky enough to have her sing solo in the last concert I conducted there. However, this reviewer seems more intent on making slightly off-centre comments about the colour of her dress. It's a shame, but not enough people seem to care about reviewers doing their principal task to ever complain about this trend.
Regards
Colin Reed, tenor Newark, UK >-- Original Message -- >To: vocalist-temporary@yahoogroups.com >From: "Lloyd W. Hanson" <lloyd.hanson@n...> >Date: Wed, 15 May 2002 19:31:06 -0700 >Subject: Re: [vocalist] Amazing Opera review >Reply-To: vocalist-temporary@yahoogroups.com > > >Cynthia and Vocalister: > >I read the revue. It was typical of the writings intended to be >clever and supportive of the writer. It said little else. I know >almost nothing of the production that was reviewed except that the >writer found it repulsive and ridiculous. But little else. > >Such reviews have always existed in opera. They have little value >and, thankfully, most die with the anonymity of their authors. > >But thank you for the opportunity to share. > > >-- >Lloyd W. Hanson > > > > > > > > > >
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