Provocative Poultry Post

July 29, 2008 - Those who read this blog regularly (yes, I'm remaining optimistic that there are those of you who read this regularly) already know that I've become enamoured of a blog called Chicken Scratch, maintained by Carl the Opera Cleveland chicken. Well a few posts back, Carl talked (or perhaps pecked the keyboard is more accurate) about supertitles and what a great aid they are in bringing new audiences to opera. I agree with Carl that supertitles are infinitely preferable to sitting listening to an opera sung in a language you don't understand. However, I would posit to Carl that even better than supertitles is the experience of hearing an opera in your own language. Opera in the vernacular was the norm for several centuries before the advent of supertitles, and every opera composer from Monteverdi to Poulenc was happy to entertain the idea of their works being translated (Poulenc even was actively involved in the preparation of singing translations for The Dialogues of the Carmelites and mandated as much as he could that the opera be sung in the vernacular) if it meant success in a city outside their homeland. Opera Vivente is vehemently engaged in reinstituting this type of direct, dramatic communication with out audiences. If Carl would like to attend a performance at OV, I have premium poultry seating available in the front row and would be honored to have him as my guest. See you at the opera (in English) Carl!

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