cbf@allegra.UUCP (Francois) (07/09/84)
[After having been shown the error of my ways by Mr. Rich Rosen, I'm
posting the following for the benefit of net.music readers who don't
subscribe to net.music.classical, to which this was sent originally.]
Yes, the use of surtitles (I believe that's the original description)
orginated with a Canadian company. Beverly Sills (managing director of
the NYC Opera) first saw them there and was duly impressed. She first
used them in a production of Massenet's *Cendrillon* this past fall.
The critical response was favorable (i.e. Henahan of the Times didn't
hate them too much, not the way he usually hates everything that's
new), so Ms. Sills decided that all of the foreign-language operas in
the upcoming season (and presumably in future ones, too) will benefit
from their use. By the way, I can't wait for the City Opera's new
production of Stephen Sondheim's *Sweeney Todd* coming this November.
Tickets go on sale August 12. Get some.
Charles B. Francois {...,decvax}!allegra!cbf
--
"To seek revenge may lead to hell
But everyone does it though seldom as well
As Sweeney
As Sweeney Todd
The demon barber of Fleet... street"