WEBmikey: Waiting for the Barbarians / Austin Lyric Opera : 4 of 5

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Waiting for the Barbarians / Austin Lyric Opera : 4 of 5
1.31.2007 10:36 PM \| Link	It's always interesting to see a modern opera, especially since Austin Lyric Opera's performance of Philip Glass' Waiting for the Barbarians was actually the US premiere of this work! This opera was interesting for a number of reasons, but also incredibly dark and depressing (I saw it with my pal Jonathan, and we were both in a somber mood afterwards) due to the plot, based on a famous allegorical novel. The story is about a society where the military becomes so fearful of an impending barbarian invasion (which never comes), that they are allowed to torture and abuse people without restraint. Glass's music is definitely similar to his other works (which can be expected from one of the most well known minimalist composers), but it works well here to convey both terror and monotony. The stage settings were created almost entirely by a series of scrims and ingenious lighting, which allowed a scene to switch from the middle of the desert to the inside of a building in the blink of an eye. The performers were amazing, especially the Magistrate, who is the main character that almost makes this a one-man show. There's not a single negative thing I can say about this performance, except that this dark subject matter just isn't my cup of opera. However, this is still an important and fascinating work, and I'm glad to have seen the premiere! Labels: arts, opera


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