For Opera Traditionalists, the Met's Revival of 'Arabella' is a Delightful Escape from Contemporary Aesthetics
Franco Zeffirelli and Otto Schenk's production style, which characterized the Metropolitan Opera's programming from the 1970s to the 1990s, was marked by an opulent realism that lavishly mounted works like Strauss's "Arabella." The revival, staged in November, is a welcome reminder of this era, with its lavish sets and costumes evoking a bygone age of grandeur.
Strauss's 1933 opera, which premiered as part of his partnership with Hugo von Hofmannsthal, shares similarities with another romantic comedy, "Der Rosenkavalier." However, it offers a unique blend of humor and tragedy, centered around Arabella, the eldest daughter of Count Waldner's family, who must navigate her way through three suitors in order to secure their family's financial future.
The revival features a talented cast, including Rachel Willis-Sørensen as Arabella, Tomasz Konieczny as Mandryka, and Evan LeRoy Johnson as Elemer. The performances were met with praise from the audience and critics alike, with Willis-Sørensen delivering a standout performance in her first "Arabella."
The production's attention to detail is evident in its sets and costumes, designed by Günther Schneider-Siemssen and Milena Canonero, respectively. The Met's orchestra, led by Nicholas Carter, delivered superb playing, although the conductor's brisk tempi at times rushed the singers.
Despite some criticisms about the pacing of the performance, the overall effect of this revival is an entertaining and engaging enterprise that will appeal to opera traditionalists. As part of its live-in-HD broadcast series, "Arabella" will be shown in theaters worldwide on November 22nd, offering audiences a chance to experience this delightful escape from contemporary aesthetics.
Franco Zeffirelli and Otto Schenk's production style, which characterized the Metropolitan Opera's programming from the 1970s to the 1990s, was marked by an opulent realism that lavishly mounted works like Strauss's "Arabella." The revival, staged in November, is a welcome reminder of this era, with its lavish sets and costumes evoking a bygone age of grandeur.
Strauss's 1933 opera, which premiered as part of his partnership with Hugo von Hofmannsthal, shares similarities with another romantic comedy, "Der Rosenkavalier." However, it offers a unique blend of humor and tragedy, centered around Arabella, the eldest daughter of Count Waldner's family, who must navigate her way through three suitors in order to secure their family's financial future.
The revival features a talented cast, including Rachel Willis-Sørensen as Arabella, Tomasz Konieczny as Mandryka, and Evan LeRoy Johnson as Elemer. The performances were met with praise from the audience and critics alike, with Willis-Sørensen delivering a standout performance in her first "Arabella."
The production's attention to detail is evident in its sets and costumes, designed by Günther Schneider-Siemssen and Milena Canonero, respectively. The Met's orchestra, led by Nicholas Carter, delivered superb playing, although the conductor's brisk tempi at times rushed the singers.
Despite some criticisms about the pacing of the performance, the overall effect of this revival is an entertaining and engaging enterprise that will appeal to opera traditionalists. As part of its live-in-HD broadcast series, "Arabella" will be shown in theaters worldwide on November 22nd, offering audiences a chance to experience this delightful escape from contemporary aesthetics.
I mean, I've never been to an opera before but my friend dragged me along and now I'm hooked! The sets, costumes, music... everything was just on point! 
And the cast? Rachel Willis-Sørensen as Arabella is a total queen 
. I loved how the story had this perfect balance of humor and tragedy. It's like, you're laughing one minute and crying the next 
. I'm so glad they're making it available on live-HD broadcast too, can't wait to watch it again at home! 
the sets and costumes are insane they're like something out of an old movie or something the opera itself is so funny and sad at the same time arabella is such a strong character she's got some serious sass 
still tho it's worth watching if u love opera like me! 
the Met's revival of 'Arabella' is giving me all the old-school opera vibes 
I mean, who doesn't love lavish sets and costumes? It's like stepping into a bygone era of grandeur 
Interesting to see how it'll appeal to opera traditionalists 
! There's something so charming about those lavish sets and costumes - it's like stepping back into a different era 
. And I have to say, Rachel Willis-Sørensen absolutely killed it as Arabella 
. And of course, a superb performance from the orchestra doesn't hurt 
. Can we get more revivals like this? I'm definitely down for watching "Arabella" on the big screen next month 
and the cast is talented to death! rachel willis-sørensen as arabella is giving me LIFE!!! 
anyway, even with some pacing issues, the whole thing feels like a delightful escape from the norm. can't wait to catch it on hd broadcast - anyone else gonna be tuning in? 
and i love how they incorporated all these little details in the design, it's just so... elegant 
i mean, don't get me wrong, i know some ppl might find it a bit too old-fashioned, but for me it was like a breath of fresh air compared to all the flashy new stuff we're used to seeing these days 
. And let's be real, the pacing could have been tighter, especially during the performances where the conductor was rushing through the numbers.
. Either way, I'm down to give 'Arabella' a try on November 22nd! 
. rachel willis-sørensen as arabella was perfection 
i loved how she brought out the humor and tragedy in the opera. and that orchestra was on point 
overall tho, it's an awesome escape from modern opera aesthetics 
! I mean, who doesn't love a good ol' fashioned opera with lavish sets and costumes? It sounds like the perfect antidote to all the modern, edgy stuff out there. And let's be real, Rachel Willis-Sørensen's performance as Arabella is going to be EVERYTHING 
. I mean, do we really need three suitors for Arabella? Can't we just give her a single love interest and see what happens? 
. The cast did sound talented, especially Rachel Willis-Sørensen as Arabella, so fingers crossed she can carry that performance throughout the whole show 
.
. It's like they're trying to make up for lost time with all this grandeur, but it feels like a bit of a relic from another era. I mean, don't get me wrong, the performances were decent and Rachel Willis-Sørensen was lovely as Arabella 
!
. Can't wait to watch it again and see what everyone else has to say about it 
, you can almost smell the powder and perfume wafting from them. And the performances? Top-notch