Directing an opera is similar to directing a play. The singing must not get in the way of the drama.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
The word 'theatrical' makes me cringe, because it suggests a performance is staged, put on, rehearsed. And while all this is true for an opera, I believe the act of singing and performing should always be honest, raw, guttural.
The very beautiful and very touching thing about opera singers is they are very willing to do whatever you want. Unlike actors, who constantly want to know why they're doing something, opera singers will sort of follow you into the fires of hell.
In opera, there is always too much singing.
But I won't deprive myself of singing opera as long as my voice follows.
It's logical for us to sing, but not necessarily operatic pieces.
But nevertheless, it's music ultimately that matters in opera, and opera is a piece of music reaching out as a vision in sound reaching out to the world.
But Opera Man, I go, 'Oh, crap! Why didn't I think of that?' Because I could sing fake opera pretty good.
It was my contention that opera can not only pay for itself if it is well given, but it can also command a much wider audience if given like a play with lots of rehearsals and wonderful singers that fit the role.
No good opera plot can be sensible, for people do not sing when they are feeling sensible.
When you conduct opera, you control the stage. But with a film, the film controls you.