It’s intermission. They’re only doing the titles in Danish. I had read a synopsis before the start but it’s been tough going.
The second act (of four) had some great physical comedy that complemented the story; I laughed a lot and I felt I could follow it… although that might be because it’s the most “Three’s Company” door slammer scene in operatic history. Mistaken identity, locked rooms, jumping out of windows and into flowerbeds to avoid a livid, possibly deservedly cuckolded guy who is actually a terrible, lecherous ass… it’s all there on the page and on the stage.
Speaking of the stage, they’ve set it at a FunFair and the “F” keeps burning out at key moments so it says “unfair.” I like it mainly because I can read it.
The orchestra is right on stage, BEHIND the performers and encircled by a kind of roller coaster track for a “tunnel of love” type car that rolls around now and again. It’s a fun staging but I wish I spoke either Italian or Danish.
When I bought my ticket, I was happy the show was in the classic Royal Theater that’s been here forever rather than the 2005 era New Opera House… although now I suspect they might have had portable/personal translations at the NOH.
In any case… onto Act II… which is actually Acts 3 and 4. Rock me, Amadeus.
***
I’m just walking back to my AirBNB now and typin this somewhat recklessly as the wind blows, drizzle falls, and bikes whiz past The second half of the show was staged in such a way to be something of an inscrutable puzzle box to me. This was especially true when it selves into furries/Wicker Man animal costume couples’ woodland copulations. There’s a tradition of the woods being the fantastical realm, Midsummer Night’s Dream being my go-to exemplar. But this one really had me scratching my head.
To the production’s great #metoo woke credit, they seemingly reinterpreted the ending such that the countess does NOT forgive the lecherous, adulteress, sexually assaulting Count and leaves him desperately trying to find her in the abandoned fairground.
Purists might cringe but I only wish the final image had been the first three letters blowing out on the FunFair marquee.
