met opera sings ukrainian national anthem

Imagine singing “La Marseillaise” in a language other than French. Imagine singing “La donna è mobile” in English: “Woman is fickle.” The song, the aria, would sound different. Language can’t help changing the effect of the music. It is slightly softer-less biting-I would say. It has a different flavor, a different feel. Is Don Carlo, or Don Carlos, different when in French? Yes. Incidentally, you pronounce the “s” in “Carlos,” when saying the French name of the opera (or, of course, of the character). You notice I have written “Don Carlos” instead of “Don Carlo.” Why? The Met presented the opera in its original French edition, rather than the more familiar Italian. The opera was one of the most political in the repertoire: Don Carlos, by Verdi. Then the Met’s chorus-with cast members, I believe-came out to sing the Ukrainian national anthem.Ī stirring act of solidarity with a people under assault. Gelb asked for a moment of silence for the people of Ukraine-living and recently killed. When he appeared, some people booed, which was especially gauche, given the circumstances. Peter Gelb, the Met’s general manager, came out to say a few words. Last night at the Metropolitan Opera, the lights dimmed suspiciously on time-rather than five or more minutes after the stated time, as usually happens.

Met opera sings ukrainian national anthem