Why Opera Divas still are the Only REAL Divas!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/19/03 at 3:15pm

"ABC.es [Madrid] / andante - 18 September 2003

After just one rehearsal, soprano Angela Gheorghiu has pulled out of the Teatro Real Madrid's new production of La Traviata, saying she disapproves of director Pier Luigi Pizzi's "vulgar" interpretation of the opera. Miss. Gheorghiu has already left the country. Spain's ABC news service reports.


The Be-atch left after ONE rehearsal.

….Flung her Gucci scarf over her shoulder....

.... and left the mother-F-ing country...!!

THAT'S a DIVA!!

When I hear Sutton or Alice or Emily or Kristen or Ruthie or Charlotte or Laura or anybody else of that ilk does something like this?

Then. ....I’ll believe all hope is not lost…

Ya know the old saying ..”there is no I in Team…”

Honey, An Opera Diva has no clue what the word team means!
Updated On: 9/19/03 at 03:15 PM

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 9/19/03 at 3:55pm

I thought La Angela had learned her lesson and had started behaving better. I like the story of her at some opera house somewhere where she refused to wear a wig and the Manager told her the wig was going on stage with or without her. I think she ended up wearing it, but I can't remember the details.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/19/03 at 4:12pm

That's the Problem with Broadway, Sueleen

...everyone is too damn nice..

..too much a damn pro...

..too damn thrilled to be here!

Where's the hissy fits?

The fainting spells?

The hair-pulling?

the unholy mess of it all?

I beg each and everyone of the kids reading this who want to be Broadway performers..

..learn to throw a hairbrush...

...Get in the habit of saying to your teachers;

"No money, no song..ya got that toots!"

...make demands (even if it's with your Mom over cereal)

..learn to fling a scarf while leaving a theatre in complete disaray..

I BEG YOU!!

DO SOMETHING!
Updated On: 9/19/03 at 04:12 PM

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 9/19/03 at 4:12pm

ahhh...there's nothing like the old "fling something and strut" exit. Broadway has a sub-category for this...called "superstar ego"...but too few have their own limo or plane to leave in.

Speaking of "Superstar" I suppose we could put Sebastian Bach in that "diva' pigeon hole. Only he did a "fling your green bo-bo's, rock on! and leave" the tour mid- stream.

(bo-bo's are the high top canvas "sneakers" from the 60's and yes Christ wore them to walk on water and off the tour).

Hey! It's Friday and the storm is history!

[onceadancer2]

Posted: 9/20/03 at 9:49am

Sorry folks, but I made my debut in the children's chorus at the old Metropolitan Opera back in 1931, so I saw divas!!! But a true diva not only displays temperament, but humility, knowledge and chutzpah. Plus sincerity, insight and even exhibit humbleness. The greatest diva of all time, Rosa Ponselle! I actually was in the CARMEN for which she was villified, slandered, torn asunder, pounced on. But did this bother Ponselle? Not on your life. It was the part of her career. Another diva would have pulled out. Ponselle went out and tore into the Habanera as if her life dpended on it. And she danced it too! I would not call Ponselle exactly svelte or alluring, but she flung her heart and soul into it. And to top it off, she appeared dressed as a matador in the opera's final act. This was still a time when divas could bring in their own costumes! Dressed in flaming gold, sporting a hat, tucking her ample tushy into tight pants with a sword on her side Ponselle sashayed across the stage like Alexander the Great ready to conquer. Needless to say the more outgoing females in the audience whistled, while a great many audience members sat in stunned silence. But hey, she delivered!!!!

Miriam

Updated On: 9/20/03 at 09:49 AM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 9/20/03 at 9:54am

Great story, Miriam!

And Voiceanth: "..learn to throw a hairbrush..." is the funniest thing you've written.

[DofB5]

Posted: 9/20/03 at 10:02am

Unless it's being thrown in your direction.


D

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 9/20/03 at 4:09pm

I dunno, depending on the diva it could be an honor. And lord knows if I can take a fist I can take a hairbrush.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/20/03 at 5:50pm

Sueleen--

You are indeed right about the wig incident; on the Met's tour to Japan in 97, Gheorghiu was playing Micaela. In the performance at the Met, she wore a blond wig over her jet-black hair (a common costume decision for Micaela mainly to emphasize her innocence, also because blond hair is common in the region she is from), but for the tour in Japan, she decided she wasn't going to wear it. Deciding, however, entailed her making a loud scene and shouting at Joseph Volpe that she wouldn't wear the wig under any circumstance.

The wig went onstage, Angela didn't.

As much as I admire her as a singer, I'm disappointed La Angela is coming back to the states, I was hoping to sweep Roberto Alagna away while she was in Spain (myself living next door to the Met and all).

Of course, I jest. I would never want to break up Bonnie and Clyde. That and Kelly Anderson, who is currently playing Escamillo in NYCO's production of Carmen is absolutely delicious. I love me some bass-baritone. Updated On: 9/20/03 at 05:50 PM

[himself]

Posted: 9/20/03 at 6:16pm

That's a voice though...as a rule however most opera "divas" are good people...with the exception of Kathleen Battle who, once upon a time didn't speak to me for a month because I told her to "go give 'em hell" in a production at the Met...seems she didn't speak to people who cursed...
I was mystified for a month...
perplexed for about a minute...
and over it...and her...'bout a minute later

[DofB5]

Posted: 9/20/03 at 6:44pm

And lord knows if I can take a fist I can take a hairbrush.
Good grief, I'm sorry something like that happened at all but hope that it was , at least, a long, long time ago.

D

Updated On: 9/22/03 at 06:44 PM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 9/21/03 at 1:47pm

Patti LuPone is the closest that Broadway has to being a diva. Although I've worked with Elaine Stritch and she comes pretty close as well.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/22/03 at 9:00am

I am THRILLED to see that there are some very informed opera lovers on this site...

I really thought I was alone ...

WOW!~

[onceadancer2]

Posted: 9/22/03 at 2:09pm

Some of my friends, ex-dancers all, are out there, but are too timid to write and tell you of their experiences dancing. These gals were a bit older than I, so they were dancing at the MET when Balanchine was choreographing there. They were able to see Pinza, Rethberg, Melchior, Flagstad and Pons close up! What a bunch!!!

Tell these girls to get off their tuchuses and write!!! Some of them are even funnier than I am!

Miriam

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/22/03 at 2:22pm

Ponselle:

God, what a voice...what a talent...

I like Angela but she's not fit to kiss Ponselle's hem...

I remember seeing a makeup test of her that MGM did for Carmen in 1937, I think...

She was just goofing around but GOD she just lit up the screen (without words or song)....had they signed her and really worked with her, she would have been quite a formidabale figure in movies...

The infamous Carmen I Think DID do something to her..I think she was very used to being praised for even her less than perfect choices and performances and rightfully so...and I think those attacks hurt her more than she let on...

I have heard one of the broadcasts and to be honest, her Carmen would be controversial even today....

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/22/03 at 6:17pm

You want to talk controversial, about a week and a half ago I saw Lucia diLammermoor at NYCO. The director made this amazing choice to have Lucia allude to the fact that she was pregnant while arguing with her brother over marrying Arturo when she was in love with Edgardo. It was pretty fascinating to see it play out from there, for those of us who stayed. Several people sitting near me walked out, either shortly after figuring out that Lucia wasn't holding her stomach because she was sick, or during intermission. You could hear the rush of whispers that went around the auditorium.

But, my God, what a performance. It was like seeing Fiona Shaw in Medea. During Lucia's mad scene, I couldn't breathe. So transformative. And the Sextet.... boy, was I in tears.

New Yorkers and visitors, you can get $12 tickets to NYCO, or if you're a student $10 tickets. It's amazing what NYCO does with opera. Not that I don't love the Met, but to see some of the turns they take and the lighting and the absolutely breathtaking sets.... Nothing like it.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/22/03 at 6:26pm

Ruthie Henshall almost quit CHICAGO ORIGINAL LONDON cast back in 1998. The week before the previews she started to doubt the directors. She said Roxie wouldnt do this, do that. She started to do her own things, changing some of the choreography. She almost quit right before the previews. She talked with Anne and Bobbi and she came to an understanding. She did'nt drop but had Diva intentions. She was also very nervous, it was the first time she had worked with American Directors.

Ruthie is a Diva, I love her!
RUTHIE HENSHALL

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/22/03 at 7:23pm

I think I was at that Lucia...a friend was in the chorus...

I was underwelmed..The sets; ugly....the direction; nothing special..the singing; average to very good

The Lucia;much ado over nothing..

Although, I did think it was interesting to have Lucia be both pregnant AND Retarded....

Two nights later I went to baby Jane at Chesea Clearview...

During one of Bette Davis's insane, crazy and quite loopy monologues...I turned to my friend and said:

"Now's THAT's a Lucia"!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/22/03 at 7:36pm

Are you kidding? The Sextet was amazing.... maybe that's why Lucia was pregnant....

I found the sets and the men's costumes to be a bit of an allusion to Macbeth. Some interesting corrolations. I also liked that James Robinson (the director) placed so much emphasis on winter in his direction.... Lucia's a very cold opera. Where La Boheme (yes, Namo, the Italian Rent) is about keeping warm during the cold, Lucia is more about succumbing to it. All the while singing coloraturas.

I'm still waiting to see Anna Netrebko play Lucia. She sounds like she'd be perfect for it on her solo album.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/22/03 at 7:46pm

Lucia was the opera that started it all for me.....I played Callas's versions and Sutherland's versions into the ground...I watched Sutherland's video until a tape broke...

Lucia is a very sweet girl..but a girl (meaning 16 years of age)with issues...in love with the wrong guy..driven over the edge by an arranged marriage

That said...

When Lucia is played like Corky from "Life Goes on"...it disturbs me...

or at worst, like Juliette Lewis...in anything..

It REALLY disturbs me...

I had high hopes after all the press..

And Where the hell was her E-flat in the first part of the mad scene...

Unless a Lucia is singing the role using the "original keys"..she SHOULD, no, MUST have an E flat..

and why the hell was there snow INSIDE THE HOUSE??

[lensman55]

Posted: 9/23/03 at 8:53am

Ya know the old saying ..”there is no I in Team…”

"But there is ME!"

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/23/03 at 8:21pm

Two questions for ya, Anthie:

When was there snow inside?

And where the heck were you when Lucia was singing the living daylights out of her high E-flat? I've heard about thirteen or fourteen different Lucias, and (disregarding Dame Joan), she was one of the most remarkable and (including Dame Joan) performed perhaps the most transformative mad scene I've seen.

Was she really sixteen in The Bride of Lammermoor? I was under the impression that she was older.... 18-ish. Or maybe I'm just dwelling on my impending birthday....

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/23/03 at 8:30pm

There was snow inside in all the scenes after the first one..it was all over the floor...

what? no brooms in Scotland?

She sang the E-flat in the final section of the mad scene (the "spargi d'amore whatever) but not the first half..

Sorry, Did'nt like her at all...

Wait!..your 18!...you'll here and see much better Lucia's than her..and you'll think...

Hey, that VoiceAnth was right!

PS: I heard Dame Joan do her final Elvira's in I Puritani..

..live ..at the met..

...I was a few year older than you are now...

Now that was an e-flat...it felt like it was sitting in the middle of the Met...like it was a ball spinning ...as if it was an object...

Literally, they were tangiable...you could feel them..

I never forgot it and i never have heard that since..


Updated On: 9/23/03 at 08:30 PM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/23/03 at 11:50pm

Nar, still 17. Talk to me on Thursday, I'll be good and legal then.

Maybe we saw different performances then, because I heard an E-flat in her mad scene as well as Spargio D'amaro Pianto.

I'm surprised you haven't commented yet on the red window.