Any piece of music worth performing is worth performing uncut.
Any musician perceptive enough to deserve to perform a piece worth performing will know that it is worth performing uncut.
Put the scissors down….
KW
Runs with scissors
by Kenneth Woods | Feb 15, 2007 | A view from the podium | 2 comments
2 Comments
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By and large, I agree with you, but I make an exception for Meistersinger, the most unfunny comedy in the repertory. It’s better with an hour trimmed.
Hi Lisa-
I guess many would say that opera is a special case as far as cuts, and I suppose in some repertoire that’s true. Certainly many early operas were never intended to be done uncut, but to be tailored to each cast. I suppose you can also make the case that in any sort of numbers opera, you can cut an aria or a scene without too much damage to the structure of the piece.
On the other hand, I would find it hard to cut wagner because there is such a tightly organized plan. I’m curious what AC Douglas would say????
That said, I’ve never thought Meistersinger was funny either, but I love the music (although Tristan is my faovorite)