The team here at English Opera Singers HQ have just come across a wonderful article written by Miles Kington for The Independent back in 2002*, which aims to answer one of our most burning operatic questions…
If Shakespeare’s play Macbeth is superstitiously called by performers “the Scottish play” in order to avoid the use of the name of Macbeth, why is Verdi’s opera Macbeth not known as “the Scottish opera”?
And Kington’s reply?
“Because actors and opera singers have an essentially different attitude to their shows. Actors, however irresponsible, want it to go well. Singers, however serious, are usually bored with their opera and want it to go interestingly badly. Almost all opera people dream of ending their days by writing a book called ‘Worst Opera Disasters’. So they are all willing to take the risk of calling it Macbeth, in the vague hope it will cause a catastrophe. Next, please.”
Next indeed, Miles! In fact, there is a long list of disasters associated with the play, and far less for the opera, so watch this blog for some of the best.
Remember, you can buy tickets for Verdi’s Macbeth on Saturday 24 October online, at the English Opera Singer’s website. And you won’t need to cross your fingers or chuck salt over your shoulder to get the best seats in the house!
• read the full article at http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/some-deadly-metaphors-605407.html
Image by by Will Humes at flickr.com
Tags: actor, Macbeth Opera, opera singer, Verdi
