And so we begin....
What promises to be an interesting and crazy ride with the most notorious of European directors started this week. I had arrived from the US after an interesting week in NYC preparing the role and even further away, California. I'm always hard hit by jetlag and this return to +1 gmt was no diff. It stunk.
Day One was Tuesday. We were ushered into the Staatsoper's foyer where a press conference of sorts was held. In Europe, the first day of rehearsal is usually a presentation day, where the production team stands up and gives their vision of the piece. Much was said in German, of which I got about 40%. More about that tomorrow.
"Shall we dance?" Cue the music!
Apocalypse Now..Ride Of The Valkyries
What does this clip have to do with the Bieito production of Parsifal? Probably nothing. I just like it. In the past I'd always thought this moment in Apocalypse Now as an utterly absurd juxtaposition between style and substance. However, I've come to realize Wagner's music has alway been closely associated with war and heroicism as well as tranquility and The Sublime. In other words, life...in contrasts. I can now finally say I'm really looking forward to creating something that isn't plainly discerned, something that is provocative and off-the-wall.
The adjectives that Bieito used in setting this up is: Desperate. A Collage of Pieces. A potpourri. He mentioned this book as being in the mix of his inspirations. Here's what the Wall Street Journal says on The Road.
And so we begin the road to discovering what we can bring to Parsifal. I've got some ideas percolating around in my head but as yet am a bit shy to bring them up here. I haven't had any staging time, but will begin on Friday. We'll see how we all get along in this first dance.
I wonder if its to be a tango...
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