So our regulars, our always curious audience, have voted for Moscow Cheryomuschki, Shostakovich's 1959 operetta set in Kruschev's Moscow, which tells the story of a group of friends and acquaintances
who have been granted new apartments in a new residential development. Of course this is satire, and hilarious comedy - well we hope so! Anyway there it is - it has been a huge hit from Vienna to Leeds! And it is certainly a change of pace for Chicago and should appeal to a huge new fun loving audience.
And we will be doing it in the superb orchestral arrangement by the CSO's Gerard McBurney - this now is the version which is most widely performed and which has contributed hugely to the new found success for this piece.
Shosty beat R. Strauss' Capriccio into second place, and Mozart's Magic Flute into third. Says a lot about the COT audience.....
I can not tell you what else we will be doing in 2011 - that is a secret until March next year. But I can assure you that what we will have is a uniquely fascinating season - manna for those really interested in opera, probably poison for the too large number of people who only like the old chestnuts. Even they seem to be getting bored with those. What is to be done?
Photo: Tristram Kenton (Opera North)
Interesting question. And what about those of us who don't yet know the "old chestnuts"? Or, are finding out we really like the "old" which aren't (yet?) chestnuts? Like La Clemenza di Tito, or Gluck, or Handel, or . . . . sigh. I guess the key is to attempt some sort of balance so as to appeal to a wide range of people and pique their interest.
Posted by: Sarah | June 22, 2009 at 03:31 PM
So splendid! I am looking forward to Shostakovich with great excitement!
Posted by: Mariannell Bassett-Dilley | June 27, 2009 at 11:37 PM
Wonderful! I am happy to be closer to Chicago for much of the year so I can come often to see all of COT's offerings!
Posted by: Mary Dibbern | July 02, 2009 at 12:56 AM