Michael Ball to be in Kismet in London...

[kec]

Posted: 8/3/06 at 10:11am

next summer -- playing Hajj/The Poet.

Michael Ball to Star in English Opera's Kismet Summer 07 Updated On: 8/3/06 at 10:11 AM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/3/06 at 10:15am

So wrong for the part.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/3/06 at 12:03pm

I'd see anything with Michael Ball in it. Ha! I hope I can squeeze this in my Europe plans for next summer!

~Roz

[sharon1]

Posted: 8/3/06 at 2:25pm

So right for the part. His last two jobs, Bunthorne in Patience and Fosco in WIW, showed his comedic skills, and after seeing a bit of the Windsor Castle on PBS he has the "real" vocal chops to do the songs/score justice. I applaud him trying new and different things.

[kec]

Posted: 8/4/06 at 2:52pm

"So wrong for the part. "

I'm curious -- why do you think he's wrong for the part?

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 8/4/06 at 2:56pm

I'd love to see him do Kismet.

He was smashing in WIW.

[friedrichVT]

Posted: 8/4/06 at 3:44pm

Hes' the wrong vocal type(the role is a bass-baritone) and still reads as a boy-man as opposed to a grounded man.

[mrkringas]

Posted: 8/4/06 at 4:19pm

Michael Ball is a baritone! And had you seen him as Count Fosco you would perhaps change your view about him being boyish. He stopped being Marius a long time ago.

[sharon1]

Posted: 8/4/06 at 6:19pm

After listening to Alfred Drake, the original Hajj, I can see what you are talking about. I guess Michael Ball would be a high end baritone. But also upon listening, I find that I think the interpretation Mr Drake brought to the music, is something that could easily be matched by Mr. Ball. Plus Mr Ball's voice does seem to have ample range.

[jo]

Posted: 8/10/06 at 10:32am

This would be Michael's third time to work with opera singers. He recorded WEST SIDE STORY with English soprano Barbara Bonney and a few opera singers in London. Then there was PATIENCE with opera singers from the New York City Opera. Of course, there was also that TV appearance with English opera star Lesley Garrett doing two songs from THE MAGIC FLUTE opera.

He is certainly branching out in his work environment.

Hope I can see this one!

[Princeton78]

Posted: 8/10/06 at 11:18am

*SWOON*
Love me some Michael Ball.

[HereNowhere]

Posted: 8/10/06 at 12:18pm

Michael Ball is most certainly a baritone. And, if I may add, one of the better baritones of our time.

And I'm with Princeton. His voice makes me melt.

[Born2cthelightsofbway]

Posted: 8/10/06 at 12:21pm

YAY!!!! I just saw this, I am so excited. I am actually going to London next summer!!!

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 12:45pm

*sigh* Michael Ball is ... perfect How exciting. I know he will be terrific in this show.

[kec]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 2:04pm

I, for one, am very much looking forward to seeing him in this show. I have only a vague knowledge of the story -- I think I've seen at least parts of the film -- and am familiar with some of the songs. I've ordered the most recent concert recording (with Samuel Ramey as Hajj) to familarize myself with the music even more.

It's great to see Michael expanding his horizons this way -- first with NYCOpera and now the English National Opera. I hope it continues.