Reality be informed, I had by no means seen Antony and Cleopatra, so after we heard that it was taking part in on the Opera Home in San Francisco, I used to be greater than just a bit curious…
This notably libretto efficiency was commissioned for San Francisco Opera’s Centennial, tailored from Shakespeare’s drama by Elkhanah Pulitzer and Lucia Scheckner. 
Anthony and I are sometimes seeped in all issues previous — maybe it’s as a result of we’ve lived in Europe, maybe it’s as a result of we’re drawn to antiquated artwork and music, or maybe it’s as a result of we’re old style romantic souls. Think about a mixing of previous with new, which is precisely what this Antony and Cleopatra manufacturing did in its fall debut in San Francisco.
The efficiency takes a contemporary twist on two characters who have been initially delivered to the world by Shakespeare round 1606 (after Macbeth however earlier than Coriolanus). As all the time, it’s a tragedy for many who are unfamiliar with this legendary story.
Once you stay within the SF Bay Space and spend time within the know-how scene, the phrase mash-up isn’t a brand new phrase. This manufacturing was exactly that: a mash-up that blended formal and casual and historical with trendy with a artistic twist.
All through, there have been black and white movie scenes displayed behind the actors, so at occasions, it felt like we have been within the 1930’s and also you needed to remind your self all through that this was certainly the epic story of Antony and Cleopatra of 4 hundred years in the past. The fashionable overlay was additionally mirrored of their costume design as properly.
John Adams’ Antony and Cleopatra kicked off in San Francisco on September 10, with performances that ran by means of October 5. From the composer of Nixon in China, this new work is a global co-commission and co-production with the Metropolitan Opera and Barcelona’s Liceu Opera, which as famous above, was created particularly for San Francisco Opera’s one centesimal season which kicked off on September 9 with a gala live performance and Opera Ball.
Above, Amina Edris (Cleopatra) and Gerald Finley (Antony) in a romantic endearing second on stage.
The solid was headed by Egyptian soprano Amina Edris (Cleopatra), famous bass-baritone Gerald Finley (Antony) and tenor Paul Appleby (Caesar). As famous above, the manufacturing presents the story’s political battles and the well-known love story of those figures from antiquity by means of an up to date setting impressed by Nineteen Thirties Hollywood glamor. The usage of newsreel footage was used to boost the characters’ public personas.
Above, tenor Paul Appleby performs Julius Caesar
These of you who hook up with a standard Cleopatra of yesteryear could also be shocked to seek out her depicted as extra of a Hollywood drama queen than the Queen of Egypt and former mistress of Pompey and Julius Caesar. Beneath, she lounges by the pool in Alexandria pining away for Antony. In Scene 3, Eros involves alert her of Antony’s marriage to Octavia, Caesar’s sister. In disbelief and denial, a theatrical Cleopatra throws a tantrum. Notice the glitter, designer-like sun shades and martini in hand.
Above and beneath, Egyptian soprano Amina Edris performs Cleopatra
The battle for energy and management ensues between Antony and Caesar, however after feeling humiliated for the final time, he returns to Egypt to be with Cleopatra regardless of being married to Octavia who returns to her brother, pregnant with Antony’s baby. An ever so livid Caesar decides to retaliate by declaring warfare in opposition to Antony. At a time in our trendy world the place the divine female is rising, being thrown again into an virtually childlike and ego-driven male dominated tit for tat battle was in some methods a reminder of why our consciousness must broaden with the intention to keep away from pointless deaths just because a robust man didn’t get his method.
On this Antony and Cleopatra mash-up, Antony feels invincible in opposition to the Romans together with her sixty Egyptian warships till issues go awry. Then, ever so theatrically, Antony says, “All is misplaced. This foul Egyptian hath betrayed me. My fleet hath joined up with the foe.” After which, “They revel with their enemy like buddies lengthy misplaced. And my coronary heart makes solely wars on thee. Bid my males all depart me. Bid all of them begone. And also you begone too. Be gone! For when I’m revenged upon my appeal, I’ve carried out all.”
Realizing his demise, his navy energy, he says, has been neutered by his love for Cleopatra. Humiliated once more, he and Cleopatra ship petitions to Caesar begging for his mercy.
Caesar, feeling extra highly effective than ever, delivers a riveting speech, proclaiming Rome’s dominance and power, signaling the rise of the Roman Empire. Historical past is aware of what occurred subsequent.
In these three highly effective characters, we see their vulnerability, pompous habits and the results of their actions handing over on themselves, however not earlier than extra drama performing out, first with Cleopatra’s ruse of pretending to have dedicated suicide to punish Antony and recapture his consideration after which once more with Antony who acts in despair by begging his servant Eros to assist him commit suicide as properly. Sound acquainted? Not unusual for Shakespeare’s tragedies and dramatic love tales of the time.
My favourite scenes? Cleopatra displaying her royal glory after all, whether or not it was adorned with high-quality robes and attire or in her extra conventional Egyptian apparel, match for the Queen she portrayed on the time.
Above and beneath, I cherished the costumes of Cleopatra regardless of them not being genuine to the unique Antony and Cleopatra manufacturing…
It’s inconceivable not to consider Romeo and Juliet whenever you watch the dramatic scenes of the 2 lovers. On one hand, there’s the widespread stance in direction of ardour and love, that it devours all 4 of those characters (Romeo and Juliet and Antony and Cleopatra), but within the latter, political energy is linked whereas with Romeo, his total world turns into Juliet. In fact, Cleopatra doesn’t get the identical dedication from her Antony and performs video games as a strategy to recapture his consideration. Her technique comes with extreme penalties, nevertheless, and leads to her precise suicide after she will be able to’t bear the humiliation and sorrow following Antony’s loss of life. After she receives toxic asps, she dies as she imagines Antony and says, “I see him rouse himself to reward my noble act.”
So dramatically Shakespeare and but as archetypes form shift and merge into trendy variations of the previous — as all issues do over time — I couldn’t assist however see extra of Sundown Boulevard’s pale star of the silent display screen period Norma Desmond within the Cleopatra of this manufacturing, as she recoiled on the considered Caesar parading her about for example of his success. Lastly, Cleopatra admits her demise and defeat, but she is for certain that her beloved can see her noble act, even from past the veil of loss of life.
San Francisco Opera’s Music Director, Eun Solar Kim lead the orchestra, refrain and solid. For extra details about San Francisco Opera’s Centennial and upcoming performances, go to sfopera.com.
Above, throughout intermission…
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