Day 8 – Rienzi – The Rocky Horror Picture Show of Opera
Morning at the trade show and then off on the train back to Leipzig.
There is a slight irregularity with seats – the equipment was supposed to be an ICE type 4, but their were given an old-style ICE in Munich. Some shuffling going on but nothing to write home about.
I am arriving at Rienzi for the pre-talk, which is very well done and available both in English. I had read up on timing as I have a rogue business commitment at 8:30 pm. I had read up the really cool write up „THE BIGGEST ONE OF ALL: Rienzi (1842, 1976 Downes recording)“ at Phil‘s Opera World – and the credit for the Rocky Horror reference above fully goes to him. When the lady talks about the timing, she says the parts are 55, 45 and 75 minutes, respectively. Phil has the seconds act at 96 minutes.
Reading up more about it, they must have cut the ballet, that takes up 40 minutes. Before starting, we are told that 21 (!) members of the chorus are sick, but that the rest will do their best and we will be fine. At times I am wondering where that other 21 would have gone. I snuck a pic in the second act (sorry) and the chorus was great as is.
StageAficionado 