Has anyone seen the new opera version of the Biden/Palin debate in Boston?

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

http://www.boston.com/ae/theater_arts/articles/2009/09/18/guerilla_opera_revisits_palin_biden_debate/?rss_id=Boston.com%20--%20Theater%20and%20arts%20news

Sounds intriguing.

In this opera production, the pitch is political
Palin-Biden debate inspires ‘Say It Ain’t So’

By David Weininger, Globe Correspondent | September 18, 2009

Sarah Palin’s voice was the central avatar of her public persona - mimicked and parodied, but also embraced by many as authentically American. For as much attention as it drew, though, few would have predicted that the voice could inspire an opera.

But that’s what happened, thanks to a curious inspiration on the part of composer Curtis Hughes. His new work, “Say It Ain’t So, Joe,’’ has a character list that reads like a who’s who of the 2008 election season: Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Diane Sawyer, Gwen Ifill, and Samuel “Joe the Plumber’’ Wurzelbacher. The piece was written for the inventive local company Guerilla Opera and premieres tomorrow.

“I’ve never done something like this before,’’ says soprano Jennifer Ashe, who sings Palin’s role. “It’s really exciting to be doing something that’s current and live and vibrant and a character that people know.

...

And come to think of it, Palin seemed ripe for operatic treatment all along. The almost primal passions her candidacy aroused, and the personal and political controversies that dogged it, all fit the recipe for music’s most dramatic form. But it wasn’t the brouhaha that inspired Hughes; it was the sonic possibilities.

(more at link)

[MrModerate]

1. Hmmm. Shall I go see this? No, I think I'd rather . . .

stick burning bamboo splinters under my fingernails.

I'm all for bold and unexpected artistic choices, but I still want to keep my lunch on the inside.

[Merlot]

2. If you consider last years news and a former governor current

I think it's old news. Biden is VP, pallin is off in chna giving laughable speaches. We've all moved on.

[Contrary1]

3. My ears are bleeding...

Yuk.

[Brother Buzz]

4. But will it play in Peoria?

I think not.

"elements of traditional, even neo-Romantic opera" and "a lot of avant-garde influence", Guerrilla Opera is way too deep for her base, raised on cultural icons like Lawrence Welk or even Hee Haw's Buck Owens. Happily, everyone else has moved on.

[CoffeeCat]

5. I still have nightmares about Sarah Palin...

...and I still can't believe that someone so embarrassing and so stupid--could be
at the forefront of American politics.

Why would I pay to hear her shameful ramblings in glorious technicolor opera?

I would rather set myself on fire.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

6. I saw a segment on Rachel's show about this stuff.

Taking political events and making chorales and operas out of them.
She mentioned "Nixon in China". Then it was some chorale or oratorio using Alberto Gonzales' testimony and they showed people singing "I don't recall" a few dozen times.

If Palin's rants are the best they can do for a libretto, well, somebody please shoot me NOW.

:wtf: :banghead:

Lorenzo da Ponte is red-lining the marble tachometer, I am sure.