Monday November 9th, 2015 - Entering The Met auditorium for the new production of LULU tonight, we were puzzled as to why the house lights were set so low. To create atmosphere, or to save on the electric bill? If the former, it was rather pointless since Alban Berg's music creates all the atmosphere you will ever need.
For all the eye-catching visuals of the William Kentridge production, it was in fact the insanely beautiful score - magnificently played by The Met Orchestra - that made the evening so thrilling. It was rather sad that James Levine withdrew from the production; I'd been really looking forward to his reunion with this masterpiece, but it wasn't to be. Lothar Koenigs, taking up the baton, created a marvelous soundscape: all the textures of the score ideally clear and the twists and turns of the orchestration so endlessly intriguing.
In those many fascinating passages for solo violin which Berg etches into the sonic canvas, concertmaster David Chan was at his most persuasive. The haunting sound of the saxophone was another source of fascination, though I could not find a sax player listed in the Playbill.
Although Jack the Ripper plays a pivotal role in the story, the production pushes the action forward to the 1920s or 30s...not that it matters all that much, I suppose: ignoring facts seems to be the way of the world these days. So what we have is a kind of Lulu-Fantasy, which unfolds on a stage filled with fragmented, ever-shifting - and often darkly witty - projections. It works, although staging the action of Act I stage-right and of Act II stage-left meant that patrons seated in the boxes along the sides of the hall were deprived of a view for a third of the evening - we saw nothing of Act II. For the final act, the action takes up the expanse of the stage, though we again lost sight of crucial dramatic passages taking place on the North side of the stage.
But the music and the mostly excellent performance of it swept all other considerations aside. The leggy Lulu of Marlis Petersen took all the vocal demands in stride: though her voice is slightly light for the big house, the soprano projected well and pin-pointed the daunting top notes like a piping piccolo. A natural seductress, Petersen's complete command of the role earned her a big ovation. She has announced that these are her last Lulus; it will be difficult for future comers to match her perfection in the role.
The large cast of singing-actors (listed below) dove into their assignments with enthusiasm and commitment. Special mention to Susan Graham for her lovely singing of the Countesss Geschwitz's music in the final scene; the Countess is perhaps Lulu's most tragic and poignant slave. Johan Reuter, Alan Oke, and veteran Franz Grundheber also stood out.
Metropolitan Opera House
November 9th, 2015
LULU
Alban Berg
Lulu.......................Marlis Petersen
Dr. Schön..................Johan Reuter
Jack the Ripper............Johan Reuter
Countess Geschwitz.........Susan Graham
Alwa.......................Daniel Brenna
Schigolch..................Franz Grundheber
Animal Tamer...............Martin Winkler
Acrobat....................Martin Winkler
Painter....................Paul Groves
African Prince.............Paul Groves
Physician..................James Courtney
Professor..................James Courtney
Policeman..................James Courtney
Prince.....................Alan Oke
Manservant.................Alan Oke
Marquis....................Alan Oke
Dresser....................Elizabeth DeShong
Schoolboy..................Elizabeth DeShong
Page.......................Elizabeth DeShong
Theater Manager............Julian Close
Banker.....................Julian Close
Journalist.................Tyler Duncan
Servant....................Paul Corona
Designer...................Kathryn Day
Girl.......................Ashley Emerson
Mother.....................Jane Shaulis
Solo Performer.............Joanna Dudley
Solo Performer.............Andrea Fabi
Conductor..................Lothar Koenigs
Listening to this music tonight made me regret that Berg left us only two operas; think of the possibilities!