Tippett in a tent

Tippett in a tent

Opera

norman lebrecht

July 08, 2024

Last night, Birmingham Opera Company gave Michael Tippett’s last opera, New Year, its first fresh airing since 1990 in the Dream Tent at Smithfield.

First responses are enthusiastic.

Reviews to follow.

Comments

  • Ruben Greenberg says:

    Tip what in a tent?! It is good to see that Tippett is still performed, as his music richly deserves to be. Outside of Britain, I seldom see his music programmed.

  • Observing2 says:

    As one of my friends likes to say, we should all Tippett…into the bin…

  • David A. Boxwell says:

    Tippett, 1970: considered cringeingly “with it”.

    Tippett, 2025: considered admirably “woke.”

  • lucas says:

    Tippett would probably have liked camping it up.

    • Andrew says:

      Seriously? Homophobia? When will people grow up and learn to respect other people for what they are.

      • John R. says:

        Thanks for demonstrating your moral superiority. Wow, total overreaction. I thought it was a harmless pun and it didn’t even occur to me that there were any homophobic overtones intended. Btw, there are certain terms that are exclusively gay references. Camp is not one of them. Just to say something is camp doesn’t necessarily mean it has anything to do with homosexuality. And it isn’t necessarily even a bad thing or pejorative to say something is camp. I think that would have more do with one’s perspective. Maybe you’re the narrow-minded one.

  • John R. says:

    I was at the world premiere of that work. Even for a someone who admires much of Tippett’s music, it was a hard slog.

  • Jonathan says:

    It was performed in Glasgow a few weeks ago. I think it was a concert performance for a recording. Tickets were free.

    I didn’t get to go as I was unwell so can’t report any more than that…

  • Alan says:

    Yes M Brabbins conducted and I believe a recording will follow.

  • Violinist says:

    Perhaps some of you should come and see the other opera happening in Birmingham this week – The Flying Dutchman. I believe some of you made some pretty scathing comments about it before it happened – see here https://slippedisc.com/2024/05/what-is-ethnically-led-wagner/.
    It’s had rave reviews and standing ovations as well as an acknowledgment from King Charles III
    Birmingham Conservatoire, 7pm, 13/07/24

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