Streetcar Named Desire (Previn Opera)

[Sally Durant Plummer]

Posted: 5/2/16 at 12:09am

Searched and couldn't find this discussed elsewhere.

What is everyone's opinion on this opera adaptation on one of the greatest (and my personal favorite) play of all time? I have only heard "I Can Smell the Sea Air" and was mostly impressed, but was wondering if the rest of the piece is worth exploring. I'm not generally a big fan of opera, but I love this play so much I am intrigued how it translated. Would love to hear what everyone thinks.

[LarryD2]

Posted: 5/2/16 at 7:32am

I was working in the opera world when this premiered. There was a ton of excitement around it, which mostly dissipated after people heard it. The music is unmemorable, which is a big reason why it's been rarely performed since its premiere almost 20 years ago. Another reason is that without Renee Fleming as Blanche, there's a large hole at the center of the piece. 

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 5/2/16 at 5:14pm

And, at least seen on tv, I think Fleming's interpretation of Blanche is awful.  Hoiby's opera of Williams' Summer and Smoke, while not perfect, is much better.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 5/2/16 at 5:18pm

Not only is the music dull, but the whole opera doesn't have a life of its own.  It is sluggishly bound the the Williams text.

[Esther Blodgett]

Posted: 5/2/16 at 7:31pm

The work fails and one basic reason seemed to be that no one asked the fundamental question, "How can we tell the same story better?"

 

Just retelling the story as an opera is not enough.

 

Also none of these people needed literally to sing. They metaphorically already do without the need for actual scoring.

[MichelleCraig]

Posted: 5/2/16 at 9:13pm

The production was available on DVD years ago. I no longer see it on Amazon...but a Region 2 DVD is offered if you have a multi-region player.