John Eliot Gardiner to conduct West Side Story
mainAmong the tutti-frutti at this summer’s Edinburgh Festival, just rolled out:
– the Bach specialist Sir John Eliot Gardiner will conduct two concert performances of Bernstein’s West Side Story with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and an unnamed cast;
– the European premiere of a new opera from Missy Mazzoli and Royce VavrekBreaking the Waves, adapted from Lars von Trier’s film;
– Barrie Kosky will direct a Komische Oper Berlin production of Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin;
– Harry Christophers CBE, with Genesis Sixteen and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, will give the world premiere of Sir James MacMillan’s Symphony No. 5 Le grand inconnu;
– and there will be a new production of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring, choreographed by Yang Liping and designed by Tim Yip (of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon).
Full prog here: eif.com.
JEG conducting Bernstein – could become very interesting. 😉
On period instruments
Some ass kickin’ on stage between the Jets and the Sharks and possibly Sir John and the orchestra in the pit as well?
A little underwhelming as an overall programme. Opera is strongish, concerts vary wildly but usual warhorses still trotted out. I thought drama programme particularly poor.
[[ Barrie Kosky will direct a Komische Oper Berlin production of Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin. ]]
Excuse me if I’m completely underwhelmed? But luckily it’s not Barrie Kosky bringing his Komische production of West Story – one of the biggest wastes of two hours I’ve ever gritted my teeth through.
I’m sure Gardiner’s take will anger some people, but I also think he’ll be a lot less stiff than many other conductors who are all business and no fun when it comes to composers like Bernstein and Gershwin.
Let’s hope he is on his best behaviour.
I wish I could be there to hear JEG’s take on my favorite musical theater work – Bernstein’s masterpiece.
(snap snap) Stay cooly-cool, boy! (snap snap)
It may well be recorded by BBC Radio3.
Okayyyyy . . .
First we had Porgy and Bess from Nikolaus Harnoncourt. Now the noted Bach specialist brings us West Side Story.
Should be interesting.
Anyone recall his frightful Die Lustige Witwe in Vienna?