Comments on: “Eine Nacht in Venedig” At The Pforzheim Theater

By: Mino Marani

Mino Marani — Sun, 21 May 2017 22:14:08 +0000

Yes, I definitely agree. On the other hand: Pforzheim does not normally play Wagner, and the longest shows are slightly more than 3 hours including break. So there is a custom for the audience, that it won’t be longer than that.
And there is surely the simple fact, that putting a lot of effort and best quality content for a longer show, assuring its effectiveness over the whole span, is harder.
This said, I welcome long, great productions!

By: kevin

kevin — Wed, 10 May 2017 08:00:59 +0000

Does Pforzheim not play Wagner and make audiences sit for hours? What about successful theater productions such as “Angels in America” part 1 and 2, played on one day as a special event? I think audiences in Germany and elsewhere in the Western world are perfectly capable of sitting through “longer” productions IF the productions have something interesting to offer. On the other hand, there is nothing wrong with shorter performances. But being brief(er) is not per se the better operetta option, I think. (Obviously, everyone needs to decide this for him- or herself.)

By: Mino Marani

Mino Marani — Tue, 09 May 2017 22:12:10 +0000

Dear Kevin,
I think that nowadays the question in every new production is, how long do you want the piece to be. I agree with you, the original libretto has value; on the other hand it’s long and in Pforzheim the mentioned solution was chosen in order to obtain a short and compact evening. It’s surely might be wrong; but as of today it’s true that audiences expect shorter evenings than 130 years ago, and somehow one has to cope with that.
Best regards

By: Kevin Clarke

Kevin Clarke — Tue, 09 May 2017 09:08:14 +0000

It always astonishes me to read that so many people have “problems” with the Nacht in Venedig libretto. It’s a well-crafted comedy and needs real comedias to make it work, such as Girardi & Co. at the Vienna premiere. Reducing the piece to “just” the beautiful music, with some linking narrative, seems a bit of a waste. But I am happy to read that the Pforzheim cast was superb. They certainly look engaged!