Vanessa-Mae’s mother buys full-page ad to attack Times critic
mainRichard Morrison did not think much of Trioperas, three operatic masterpieces filleted by Pamela Tan Nicholson ‘and presented with all the artistic subtlety and emotional depth of a Club 18-30 holiday, in a staging that veers from kung-fu movie to breakdance to unintentionally hilarious am-dram …’
Ms Nicholson responded yesterday with a full-page ad in the Times – page 16, estimated cost £8-10,000 – in the form of an open letter to Mr Morrison, accusing him of ‘terrifying bigotry directed against anyone who enjoys (or offers) poular music entertainment.’
She continues: ‘Cultural elitism is every bit as unedifying as racism, sectarianism, sexism – this list goes on.’
This last proposition seems a tad extreme.
And perhaps not the most cost-effective way to make a musical point.
Having been subjected to the awful Triopera at the Victoria and Albert museum Opera exhibition earlier this year , I can only agree with Mr Morrison’s opinions and report that Pamela Tan Nicholson struck me as a fruitloop of the first order.
(((-: re fruitloop. There are so many of those everywhere in the cultural scene it’s daunting. Color me elitist.
Yada, Yada, Yada
Perhaps you should actually see the production at the Peacock theatre rather than comment on the V+A exhibition you saw performed by Brit School members none of whom are principle cast members in the show
Thousands of people came to the show after the exhibition and standing ovations
Obviously you are yes n a different ffernt planet together with Mr Morrison
Thousands of people are parading in the streets demanding Tommy Robinson’s release from the prison that they claim he’s been sent to by “The Elite”
That doesn’t invalidate the judge’s verdict or alter the nature of his offences.
The creator of the abomination that is Triopera should be grateful that the musical elite lack the power to deal with her in the same way.
“She continues: ‘Cultural elitism is every bit as unedifying as racism, sectarianism, sexism – this list goes on.’”
She need not worry, I’m sure that elitism will be added to the list of illegal “ophobias” in due course.
https://www.facebook.com/victoriaandalbertmuseum/videos/10155840848633880/
Watch the beautiful audience at the V and A loving it and singing along. Of course neither of you were amongst the beautiful people in the footage. Party poopers!!!
I was there and I loved it! Finally some life blown into those dinosaurs! Afterwards I could not sleep for 2 nights of excitement while after having endured a long Puccini I fall asleep during and after the show in the bus. If you want to perform that stuff at all, get it out of the silly sniff box theatres with the pretentious cult snobs & give it to the people! opera was for the people… for us, not for the old fogeys and certainly not for people writing about it but who cannot sing at all! Opera has to be liberated from all those people calling themselves experts and professionals… they hijacked the thing to suppress the proletariat, the people for which it was written!
Sally
Are John and Sally alter-egos of the same person ?
Sally is my PA and she sometimes irreverently uses my computer to look at SD and add comments under my name, when I’m working. It seems to ventilate some pressure, although it is a constant irritation in the work relationship.
Schizophrenia is no laughing matter.
I’m of two minds about that.
Sally , you can hear in your video clip exactly how awfully the poor singers were made to sound and look.
I am briefly visible too and obviously not beautiful or enjoying the cacophony.
The episode does teach us that the feelings of the parents (mothers especially) have not been privileged in calculating the proper parameters of critical discourse.
Typical!
I wonder how much these productions cost. I think there will be substantial losses.
“I think there will be substantial losses”
One can only hope.
Just before this topic, l have read concerns about the music critique. But now I understand that there are people who respond much…
A group in Northern Italy called Opera Domani is is touring to several cities with a shortened version of Carmen for children. Unlike the Triopera production, it remains as true to the original as possible. I think the Bregenz Festival is also doing a production of Carmen designed for children. Both productions use orchestras. Tickets for the Opera Domani production are ten euros for children and 15 for adults. More info here:
https://www.ciaocomo.it/2018/02/13/opera-domani-2/152935/
can someone please tell me what a “Club 18-30 holiday” is?
Don’t even ask!
Holidays for people with IQs between 18 and 30.
Club 18-30 WAS a popular package holiday offered in the 80s and beyond. Early this year its proprietors announced that they wouldn’t be continuing with it due to falling demand and the poor reputation its customers have gained in the resorts it uses.
I thought the “poor reputation of the customers” was why people went.
I don’t understand why the Sunday Times would send what apparently was a serious music critic to what apparently was a cheap, populist entertainment confection for people who are ignorant of classical music and/or opera. I fear the members of the audience will be rather disappointed when / if they go to see / hear the originals.
The Times has form in this regard.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/concert-review-ara-malikian-at-the-barbican-09sfqzsjb
Crazy! It’s like sending a vegetarian to a barbeque, or a vicar to a brothel, for inspection.
The audience are not ignorant to classical music or opera, the whole purpose of this production is to spark interest and encourage newcomers to go and see traditional opera, whether it has succeeded or not is open to question, a valiant attempt has been made and I certainly enjoyed the show.Regarding shows being cancelled this week, it’s for rehearsals due to role changes and I suspect some Production changes . As for the gentleman commenting about the V+A exhibition, those performers are not the principle cast members in the actual production at the Peacock Theatre.
What fun.
Angry Mum seems to be a bit blurred over the distinction between creation, adaptation and quotation.
Is Angry Dad going to step in next or does he just pay for the adverts.
OK guys, here we go.
I was at EMI in V-Mae’s glory days. (She was fine, by the way. Despite it all, seriously self-possessed.) I did the booklets, took the phone calls.
‘Certainly sir, may we send you the CD?’
__’No, I’d just like the poster [slinky shot of V-M coming out of the sea].’
‘Of course, sir. Would that be with or without pubes?’ [Publicity dept had had to make hasty, er, hair-bushing no -brushing.]
The controlling mother was a standing joke of various kinds. Viz:
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NIGEL KENNEDY AND VANESSA-MAE’S MUM?
I DON’T KNOW, WHAT IS [ect]
VANESSA-MAE’S MUM DEMANDS TO VET MY SPELLING CORRECTIONS.
I thanggyou!
[There was also a marketing murder plot tied in with the Strange Occasion of the supposed theft of V-M’s violin. But the details are available only on exorbitant application.]
I remember it well. I spent a Sunday afternoon on the phone to a newspaper lawyer who was trying to airbush (sic) my description of that celebrated cover.
Memo to Times Reviews Department
From Times Advertising Department
Please write more bad reviews. Parents buying up ad space by the page.
Ad did the job… shows now being cancelled…