In his Financial Times review of summer productions at Grange Park & Garsington Opera, critic Andrew Clark appreciates the absurdity of "country house opera." He also ambivalently observes that "shameless exclusivity is key" to the "purist" experiences they offer. It looks like these festivals retreat explicitly back to opera's origin as an entertainment designed for aristocratic audiences. On the other hand, some of us might aspire to attend just to prove that they will in fact let just about anyone in.
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Shameless Exclusivity
In his Financial Times review of summer productions at Grange Park & Garsington Opera, critic Andrew Clark appreciates the absurdity of "country house opera." He also ambivalently observes that "shameless exclusivity is key" to the "purist" experiences they offer. It looks like these festivals retreat explicitly back to opera's origin as an entertainment designed for aristocratic audiences. On the other hand, some of us might aspire to attend just to prove that they will in fact let just about anyone in.
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2 comments:
Yes, that would be the likes of us, wouldn't it?
Well, all I can say is at the moment I have no plans to attend to Glyndebourne, Garsington or Grange Park. But do remind me to buy a tuxedo one of these days...
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