Opera gets down to the basics

Spencer Tunick’s en masse nude photo shoots are legendary, as is the Dark Mofo nude winter swim in Tasmania, but now Opera Queensland is getting in on the act.

It is seeking 200 women – no acting experience necessary – to take part in the closing scenes of Mozart's Don Giovanni, which tells the story of the timeless seducer and his conquests.

Opera Queensland wants the volunteers to appear in the seven-minute-long closing scene – either naked or semi-naked.

Director Lindy Hume told ABC news she was aiming to end the opera differently in the #MeToo era.

“As a female director and as a feminist and someone who loves Giovanni and the story, I wanted to frame it in a way that the women are on an even playing field and give him what-for at the end," she said. “He's the anti-hero racing through Europe bedding as many women as he can. He's a bad lad, and this is an era of #MeToo and you can't look at a work like Don Giovanni without that prism."

She explained that the final scene usually saw the main character dragged down “into hell by a creepy spirit”, but had created an alternative ending.

"It is one of the most extraordinary scenes in opera and that's the clincher, but if (the women) are prepared to take some of their kit off then it will be directed and lit tastefully.”

 

 

FirstPrev12(page 2/2)
20 comments

sageman- No doubt about you, fancy having Rudy and Mikhael coaching you to dance with Morgot Fonteyn, they must have had great faith knowing you could pull if off. As Cats said maybe the skating film would be easier because once you leap through the air and land rather gracefully on the ice, there is no stopping you. I reckon "Bolero" is the go, because it starts off slowly and builds up to the climax where you both slide across the ice and hopefully grab on to each other so you won't slide across the arena and over the fence. Think about it. CELIA seems very interested in getting into the show and said "We should all get together and see what we are really like."

Yes HOLA the Ruskies were great guys and got me some bit parts at the Bolshoi. As for priorities I'm torn between an icecapade or a dabble in Opera ( or both). Thinking though that as I've always been a bit of a slippery customer, ice could be a goer. I'll have to start slowly though and even finish slowly as I'm built for comfort not speed these days.Why rush? Your tailoring offer is kind and I'd rather you run the tape over me yourself just to be accurate of course, that's if your hand doesn't tremor too much? Well like you I know that CATS always can take take a joke because she's taken me in entirely on occasion, by her humour I mean. Celia was amazing by arranging that photo, I'm the guy with the stick and hanging on to her for balance. She even got Pauline Hanson and Bob Hawke(on the right) to take part! She would be a great organiser!!

SAGEMAN,   of course you have my apology,   if i hurt your feeling,  that most certainly wasnt my intentiion,   qite the opposite in fact,     i simply meant,  that you must be tired of being in the forefront of ANYTHING,    as i know you must get inundated with requests from the ladies to get your gear off,    as i said,     i have never seen a body quite like your before,    [and please HOLA,     dont mention SAGEMAN and climax in the same sentance again,     as i saw earlier]     as you noticed,  i DID have a camera  in the desert,  and YES,   i did get some sneaky photos of sageman,   which i have secreted in my top drawer,   [for my eyes only]     i have a peek now and then,  but not to often,    as my husband keeps asking me why im in a hot sweat,  and getting palpitations,     and i cant tell him,     but if nothing else happens in the way of the movies,   at least i have my memories,      IM sorry not to answer you before,  sageman,  but i have been rather busy,    getting to the optometrist,    i have got rid of the bi focal goggles,    and got contacts,     so if the other film offer is done,   i wont need the goggles,    i have the photos to remind me,     not that i need reminding,    i just think of the desert,  and it all comes rushing back,           well, my friends,   what are we going to do,  ?    do i tell STEPHEN that we are in ,  or not,    if we are,    ill have to get HOLA to arrange those skating lessons for me,     i want to be as graceful as i can,     and there are costumes to design,     lots of things to do,   so let me know how you feel about it,    i do hope so,   as i had so much fun doing 'THE SHIEK'    ,    i cant wait,      of course,  by the sound of it,  SAGEMAN wont need lessons,     if he has danced with FONTEYN,   I have a lot to live up to,    i dont kknow if i could match SAGEMAN,    in those stakes,     but he is VERY good at lending a helping hand [or two]    ill call back tomorrow and chat about it then,    

Hi Cats, My apologies- I have been out of action in recent days, have had quite a lot of private stuff to attend to, not the least of which is a looming health issue. Better hold off for a while before getting back to Stephen I think, at least until I can get a clear run at it. Thanks a lot!

HI SAGEMAN,     take care,    and hope all is well,    thoughts are with you,  

 

 

Hi Cats - Saw your message. If you like we can start ahead of Sageman with the Ice Dancing lessons with my niece. She is a professional and has students who have won many GOLD medals in ice dancing routines. The more you practise the better it will be on the day. SAGEMAN being so lightfooted is a natural and will pick up the routine in fast time, I only hope he gets better soon. The music has been taken care of as my son can get 15 musicians who know Bolero without music, they are professional. So it's up to SAGEMAN to call the shots. Take Care, talk soon.

WONDERFUL news HOLA,    of course,  i can start lessons any time,    i did learn tap and acrobatic dancing and ballet,   but many years ago,    so i do know a little,   i just hope it comes back to me,   PLEASE thank your son from me,  for offering to do the music,    that is very good of him,    just let me know where and when to be for the lessons,     im getting excited again,  at the prospect  of  sageman holding me again,  i hope he heals soon,   but he is built like an ox,  and is so muscely,   im sure it wont take him long,      i hope this sickness has no effect on his body,   those thigh muscles,   and the biscepts,   wow,    i cant wait,      i like the way he has that tanned,  buffed   look,       IM ready when you are,     come on SAGEY,   [as ebony would say]      you dont need the toes,  or the kneecaps,   the rest,   'well'     up to you big fella,  

 

Some years ago we were in St Petersburg and went to the ballet, it was truly amazing and wonderful.  But the seats were terrible!  We thought, by their appearance they were cushions with velvet upholstery, but it was velvet over a hard plywood!

Never been so disappointed in a theatre seating.

But the costumes were really great, the make up on the dancers were brilliant.  Would love to return but with my own cushion!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuUwVtQHBqo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRO7tYWSUG0

 

 

FirstPrev12(page 2/2)
20 comments



To make a comment, please register or login

Preview your comment