SWEENEY Revival Instrument Assignments — Page 2

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#26

re: SWEENEY Revival Instrument Assignments

Posted: 9/21/05 at 9:05am

Yes, I know. But I'm an opera fan and I like the full orchestration. I've heard Sweeney live with an orchestra of 8 and with an orchestra of 35. You just can't get the variety of colors and the sheer power of the 35 with the 8.

I'm not a fan of some of the elements of Prince's staging either (the social elements). Maybe this production will sound better than the other minimalist Sweeney I heard, but I still like three trombones and two oboes.

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#27

re: SWEENEY Revival Instrument Assignments

Posted: 9/21/05 at 9:12am

In London, this was literally the "anti opera" staging. The Royal Opera had staged a production of SWEENEY the year before, that was supposed to transfer to Los Angeles Opera, but Sondheim supposedly hated the production (it was avant garde too, but in other ways) and stopped the transfer from happening.

#28

re: SWEENEY Revival Instrument Assignments

Posted: 9/21/05 at 9:32am

This...is...better...be...good...

#29

re: SWEENEY Revival Instrument Assignments

Posted: 9/21/05 at 12:26pm

Patti LuPone with a Tuba? That alone is worth the price of admission.

#30

re: SWEENEY Revival Instrument Assignments

Posted: 9/21/05 at 3:58pm

I can't wait, am seeing it Dec 2nd. If the production is equally as good as the London production you'll be amazed how good it is. If as I suspect its better you'll probably never see a better Sweeney Todd.

The orchestrations did not seem lacking even when used to the full Broadway recording, the orchestrator did an incredible job considering the small number of instruments, they made ever note count.

Updated On: 9/21/05 at 03:58 PM

#31

re: SWEENEY Revival Instrument Assignments

Posted: 9/21/05 at 5:14pm

I just have a bad feeling about this whole production, and I know I'm not giving it a fair shot. It just seems off, from the casting down to the musical instruments. Every time I think about it, I just picture the Partridge Family.

Patti playing the tuba? Okay. At least it's not the kazoo. But exactly what nuances will this add to the production? It smells like gimmickry to me.

I'm sure that Forbidden Broadway is already working up their spoof now... When Harold Hill shows up to teach the new cast of Sweeney Todd how to play their band instruments... using the "think system."

Ugh.

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

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#32

re: SWEENEY Revival Instrument Assignments

Posted: 9/21/05 at 5:19pm

Am I the only one much more skeptical of Mrs. Lovett in a mini-skirt than the actors playing their own instruments?

"This ocean runs more dark and deep than you may think you know...I'll be the fear of the fire at sea." -Marie Christine

#33

re: SWEENEY Revival Instrument Assignments

Posted: 9/24/05 at 12:56pm

Can't wait for this to open.

Also can't wait to see how Forbidden Broadway is going to play this.

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