Kanye West has written an opera
mainPosters are going up around Los Angeles for an opera by the US rapper Kanye West.
The title is Nebuchadnezzar, previously treated by Giuseppe Verdi.
Invitations have been issued via Twitter.
Invite artwork by Nick Knight pic.twitter.com/U7IBqe1Gxk
— ye (@kanyewest) November 17, 2019
Va, pensiero.
And let us know afterwards if it was anything like this.
Very unlikely that Mr West knows what ‘opera’ means. These people need a dictionary.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivCY3Ec4iaU
These people…?
Yes, THOSE people in the link. Got it now?
yeah. Ouch.
Oh, I think we get it, all right. Crystal clear from the likes of you and John B.
NB: “These people” = people who rap and think they know what an opera is, and the people around them happy to exploit such ignorance and amateurism.
Rap can be “opera” in the sense of musical theatre lead by the music. Afterall, we have just had Hamilton, which was a success.
Why is Domingo on the picture? Is the role written to him?
The picture is of Domingo as Nabucco (aka Nebuchadnezzar)
Wasn’t he in the original production in 1842?
He was – as a soprano.
There once was a bass from Havana
Who slipped horribly on a banana;
For a time he withdrew,
Then made his debut
As a promising lyric soprana.
From Forbes magazine: “The most obvious question some may have, though, is: why Nebuchadnezzar?”
Er no, sorry. That question is nowhere near the top of my list in this case.
Lin-Manuel Miranda beat him to the punch with Hamilton, essentially a hip-hop opera. Miranda is a much better wordsmith and dramatist. Kayne is merely an entertainer, at best.
Indeed; looking beyond the hype, Miranda’s Hamilton is masterful in concept, narrative depth, and keen use of motivic development. Very much a modern analogue to a Da Ponte opera (as many have already said).
Looking beyond the hype, West has demonstrated a very keen sense for marketing, a bizarre cult of personality, and a drum machine.
Perhaps this will be totally brilliant – there’s always a chance. For me personally though, like many of you, there are many, many entire discographies my listening life has yet to absorb that take precedence.
Is it a hip hopera? I hope he didn’t try to compose a traditional opera.
No, it’s an operap.
Oh, I do — the metaphors would just soar.
Pass.
no one goes to the Bowl in November!
What is wrong with this country? Important events are occurring and we have to endure the self-important actions of Kanye West and the Kardashians.
Why even mention that this musical nobody wrote an opera? Maybe if we don’t show interest, they will get the picture that they are nothing but fools.
What important events? Is Kim Kardashian having another baby?
Kanye West’s talent on full display…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwN6dPNXklg
Apologies to anyone who is left traumatized by this video.
The living proof that rappers can’t sing, so they rap — and the ultimate proof that rap is not music and need never be treated as such.
Rap has social significance — BUT IT IS NOT MUSICAL.
Correct.
The Racism in these Comments is Halarieous!
“Posters are going up around Los Angeles for an opera by the US rapper Kanye West.
The title is Nebuchadnezzar, previously treated by Giuseppe Verdi.
Invitations have been issued via Twitter.”
Previously treated by Giuseppe Verdi…. I laughed out loud for five minutes at this perfectly placed, exquisitely droll line.
Thanks, Norman, for brightening up my evening!