I was really looking forward to seeing this production,but found that the surreal aspects of some of the staging,and the Dali-esque properties,and parts of the settings were so weird that it was interfering with my enjoyment of a profound musical experience.Let's take a look,and see what I'm talking about.
1.)The fog in the opening-totally unnecessary.And the scene should have ended after the blind pilgrims enter the church.
2.)Coronation scene-entrance of the guards and procession of the nobles-really well done.But the Dali touch of the bell in the background-silly and stupid.Not at all realistic.
3.)In the monestary cell sequence;There seems to be some staging showing the murder of the prince,and the inquiry thereafter which ,I guess,is modeled on the film technique of using a flashback.But it doesn't work here.(I found it to be distracting.)And the saintly monk,Pimen,who represents the force of nemesis,looks,with his outlandish beard,wig,and psychotic stare,like Charles Manson.
4.)The stylized books and maps,in the fourth scene,were really unbelievable.
5.)Polish scenes were good,but Rangoni looked like a creature from outer space.
6.)Final Boris scenes were good;nothing intruded.
7.)Kromy forest scene started out really good,but had a corny ending.Everybody lying down,and pretending that they were dead.
It was these blunders in staging that kept this from being a totally satisfying experience.
1.)The fog in the opening-totally unnecessary.And the scene should have ended after the blind pilgrims enter the church.
2.)Coronation scene-entrance of the guards and procession of the nobles-really well done.But the Dali touch of the bell in the background-silly and stupid.Not at all realistic.
3.)In the monestary cell sequence;There seems to be some staging showing the murder of the prince,and the inquiry thereafter which ,I guess,is modeled on the film technique of using a flashback.But it doesn't work here.(I found it to be distracting.)And the saintly monk,Pimen,who represents the force of nemesis,looks,with his outlandish beard,wig,and psychotic stare,like Charles Manson.
4.)The stylized books and maps,in the fourth scene,were really unbelievable.
5.)Polish scenes were good,but Rangoni looked like a creature from outer space.
6.)Final Boris scenes were good;nothing intruded.
7.)Kromy forest scene started out really good,but had a corny ending.Everybody lying down,and pretending that they were dead.
It was these blunders in staging that kept this from being a totally satisfying experience.