Streaming now: Karita Mattila and the human factor
UncategorizedSlippedisc brings an evening with Finland’s most famous opera star courtesy of OperaVision. Available now.
The two parts of the evening showcase two opposite extremes of emotion. Firstly, Poulenc’s powerful La voix humaine (The Human Voice) tells the touching story of an abandoned woman. The opera monologue of approximately 45 minutes is performed in melodramatic film noir style. After the interval the atmosphere changes dramatically, turning into a raucous show of musical classics and popular repertoire. Directed by Jussi Nikkilä and conducted by Dalia Stasevska, this event has been put together specifically to showcase the great artistry of Karita Mattila.
Streamed from Finnish National Opera and Ballet.
A dated parade of misogynistic cliches and an embarrassment. Too painfully past her best, Mattila thinks she can embody Dietrich, Lenya, Garland, Monroe and Ute Lemper in one but the result is so obviously derivative, unimaginative and undignified that, well, what else is there to say?
Plenty. Too bad curmudgeons can’t enjoy themselves. Just stay home and we’ll have a little fun without you. Ms. Mattila certainly did.
Karita long ago earned her place in opera. Have you distinuguished yourself in your chosen profession?
Enjoyment is in the eye, ear or whatever other body part of the beholder. Not everything thrown at us for consumption is laudable. Nor must it be.
Spot on…Sadly,the comment section here has become some sort of therapy playground for frustrated armchair conductors , wannabe musicians,and bathroom singers.
Ah, you mean the audience?
KARITA MATTILA: A Celebration of Bad Taste.
On, whenever she is. Sad.
There was a time, when she sometimes did just sing beautifully.
I’ve always loved Karita Mattila. Saw her at the Met and San Francisco. She had an exceptional voice and a commanding presence on stage. I watched this concert live last week and thought the first half Poulenc was good with the exception of the gratuitous sex scenes. It wasn’t needed and distracted from her performance. She may have been having fun in the second half but I kept thinking she should have stuck with opera arias. It just didn’t fit her abilities. She’s no Dolly Parton or Judy Garland. Stick with what you’ve been good at, Karita.