So That’s What the Fat Lady Sang

NYT ^ | 07/7/08 | ANTHONY TOMMASINI

[Borges]

...In January 1983, for a production of Strauss’s “Elektra” at the Canadian Opera Company, Mr. Mansouri introduced simultaneous English translation of the libretto on a horizontal video screen above the proscenium, a system popularly known as supertitles. (Mr. Mansouri used the term Surtitles, a registered trademark of the Canadian Opera Company.)

Beverly Sills, who ran the New York City Opera at the time and was always on the lookout for ways to entice new audiences, quickly seized on the technology. She introduced a similar titling system at the New York State Theater in September 1983 for a new production of Massenet’s “Cendrillon,” an operatic version of the Cinderella story little known at the time.

Now, in the 25th anniversary year of supertitles, such systems have been embraced by companies and audiences. The benefits are obvious. Opera is a form of drama, and that basic element of the genre becomes immediately apparent, even to neophytes, when titling is used. In the early 1980s productions of Wagner’s complete “Ring” cycle were undertaken by relatively few companies. Now a “Ring” production has become a calling card for any house that wants to be taken seriously. Titles have made the difference.

[Borges]

Classical Music PING

[MinuteGal]

I'm an opera purist, but I love the visual translations.

But I wish someone would come up with a better idea than the distracting screen.

I DO have a better idea, but it isn't practical...i.e., too expensive.

Then, too, no one would ever ask little me, LOL.

Leni

[Unlikely Hero]

What is your idea?

In the Wiener Staatsoper, there is a little screen on the back of the seat in front of you. it’s nice, but it too is distracting because you have to look to and fro, all the livelong day.

[MinuteGal]

"What's your idea?"

I'm not saying right now. LOL. I'd like to see if other opera-loving freepers have an idea other than translation screens over the stage or on seat backs.

I'm sending you a freepmail with my idea immediately so that you and I are the only ones that know it.

I'll donate ten bucks to the freepathon in the name of the first freeper that comes the closest to my idea.

Have at it, ingenious freepers!

Leni

[JRios1968]

How about the system they use at the United Nations, where you can listen to near-simultaneous translation on the headphones?

[ER Doc]

How about the system they use at the United Nations, where you can listen to near-simultaneous translation on the headphones?

I would find that terribly distracting from the music, which is the point, for me, of going to the opera. I don't find the screens distracting...

[MinuteGal]

Hey, JR......your suggestion is duly noted on the entry list.

Keep 'em coming, all you Thomas Edison's out there.

Leni

[Ragnar54]

How about opera glasses with a built in heads up display? The big problem with “supertitles” is that it is easy to lose track of which soprano is being translated at the moment. Being able to look at the singers while the text scrolls past would be more like TV. Better yet, a built in video recorder would allow “Tivo” like capability. The only downside is that the special glasses would probably need antennas to pick up the (WiFi) broadcast of the text; this wouldn't go well with the typical opera goer's outfit.

[Unlikely Hero]

I think that’s a superb idea.

[MinuteGal]

Excellent, my dear Ragnar. Your suggestion will be added to our entry list for our little contest which will benefit the freepathon.

Calling all freeper communications geniuses to participate, you may be the BIG WINNER.

I think we'll call it the "Crawly Award" for the translated libretto which crawls along a screen.

I feel itchy already!

Details are in posts #'s 3 and 5.

Your idea may be impractical or pricey....we want to see 'em. After all, the first inventions of anything were impractical or pricey at first.....like the computer.

Just ask Algore.

[Ragnar54]

A further refinement:

The "glasses" with batteries and electronics would be too heavy to hold up for a 5 hour opera, so they would be securely mounted on a helmet (as would the antennae). A future opera audience would look like a "My Favorite Martian" convention.

[They'reGone2000]

[Ragnar54]

Yes! LOL!

[MinuteGal]

Keep thinking! You may yet win the Crawly Award. I’m saving used foil just in case.

[dmz]

My solution is terribly low tech. I would just read the english translation of the libretto before attending.

[MinuteGal]

Hi, dmz........your idea may win a prize for the most low-tech entry if it's close to my secret idea. However, I wouldn't count on it, hah.

I'm putting your solution on the list of entries because you took the trouble to offer a solution.....and one never knows how hopeless other entries will be. Good luck (you'll need it, LOL).

Yoo hoo, all you freeper technical and inventive experts out there.....read posts # 3 and 5, offer your idea right here.....and you may win a donation to the freepathon made in your name!

Leni

[MrsPatriot]

dmz, I’m with you; I love listening to the opera while reading along with the Italian (or whichever language it’s in) and English side by side. I even pick up a little bit of the foreign language as well. But I enjoy the music whether or not I can understand the words!

[Octar]

Stick a Babblefish in your ear?

[MinuteGal]

"Stick a Babblefish in your ear?"

I just KNEW we'd get some weird ideas to solve the libretto translation conundrum. Yikes, I started feeling something flopping around in my ear as soon as I read your solution.

Well, you made the entry list....whether you make the cut is another story, heheh.

Freepers, the genius who comes closest to my idea for a better system of libretto translation at the opera will have 10 bucks donated in his/her name to the freepathon. I'll match this sum with an equal amount.

So far, no one has come even remotely close to my brilliant but perhaps impractical and pricey solution.

Enter the contest now.....details on posts 3 & 5. Contest closes after another day or two. My musical cohort, "Unlikely Hero", will help with the judging. We are both licensed and bonded babblefishes.

Leni

[Unlikely Hero]

Okay, how about if the regular version of the opera is preceded by an English-language version? That way the listener is able to understand the plot, and also become familiarized with the music.

The downside? Imagine any Wagner opera doubled in length. Also, you think dubbed movies look silly? Wait til you see dubbed opera.

[MinuteGal]

You may have struck das rheingold with your less-than-brilliant idea. It made the entry list. Not that your idea is any good, but you have been awarded an A Minor for effort. However, I doubt that the judges will give a figaro for your suggestion.

(.....oh wait, you ARE a judge).

Well, cosi fan tutte (translated: "It's not bad living in a one-horse town if you own the only horse).

Calling all idea men and women of an electronic/communication bent......mini-contest on this thread! Win $20 donated to the Freepathon in your name!

Leni

[MinuteGal]

Opera libretto translation mini-contest ping. See #s three and five.....be an inventor and be a winner!

Leni

[MinuteGal]

Hurry, hurry, hurry, mini-contest on this opera thread ends tomorrow. Last chance to solve the communications problem of the century. Your idea may make you a Big Winner!

See #3 and #5 for details on how to win the Crawly Award (and why you will WANT to win it!)

Leni

[MinuteGal]

I hereby declare the mini-contest for the Crawly Award closed. My esteemed fellow judge, Unlikely Hero, and I have reviewed the entries and none came remotely close to my idea for an improvement on the current method of libretto translation during the course of an opera. So, breaking it to you gently....you all lost.

The entries ranged from "possibly-but-not-probably-workable", to "outlandish" to "pitiful".

However a $20 donation to the Freepathon will still be made in the names of each of you. You'll be pinged to the post on the Freepathon thread in about a half hour or so.

Hey, seriously, thanks to Unlikely Hero and all who participated. This had to be the shortest, crummiest and most unsuccessful contest in Freeperville history......and just think, you were a part of it!

We had a little fun, you guys and gals are witty, as usual......plus our favorite forum has benefitted dollar-wise.....and you're all great sports!

Leni

[MinuteGal]

See #25.

Leni

[Unlikely Hero]

LOL

[decal]

“So That’s What the Fat Lady Sang”

And as a sad sidelight, the man who originated the phrase: “The opera ain't over ‘til the fat lady sings,” legendary San Antonio sports columnist/broadcaster Dan Cook, died last week.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/stories/MYSA.dancook.35e7cb48.html