Staying Put
I just came out the other end of a brief time of panic where I thought I would be moving to NYC. For the moment, it seems, I’m not. Same job, same apartment, same friends…so soon after getting settled for good here in Toronto, I’m restless again.
It was a month of getting exciting things in the mail. My copies of Sexiest Soles and Secret Slaves arrived, and they are shiny and beautiful and chock full of excellent stories. Also, my tickets to Der Ring Des Nibelungen arrived at last. After many years of listening, I’ll finally be attending the Ring Cycle in performance for the first time.
One installment I’ve seen already - Siegfried. If it’s any indication of the quality of the whole cycle, it will be a beautiful and imaginative four nights at the theatre. I’m always amazed at how the feel and mood of an opera can come across so differently in live performace than on CD. The first stretch of Siegfriend takes place in a cave, and much of the music has a dim, oppressive feel. It’s a startling breath of fresh air when the action moves to the forest, and the music begins to shimmer with life.
And yes, much of the music is - let’s admit it - boring, and he does wind up singing about his sword for roughly an hour. But there are so many moments of beauty and sensuality that arise seemingly from nothing, and surprise you by surpassing themselves over and over again. Learning to appreciate and love Wagner has been a long process for me, but it seems to be giant leaps forward every time.
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