newjerseynewsroom.com

BY WARREN BOROSON

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

COMMENTARY

Won't anyone dare criticize this opera?

'Satyagraha' was shown at movie theaters all over the world on Saturday, Nov.19, courtesy of the Metropolitan Opera.

Dumb idea, having it sung in Sanscrit. Composer Philip Glass was interviewed and said he wanted to emphasize the music. I wanted to know what the hell the singers were singing.

Music was occasionally--very occasionally--pleasant. Mostly repetitive. Boring. Especially at the end. A relief when the opera concluded. Static, too.

And quotes from old Indian literature were soporific.

A friend who attended the opera told me that he had slept through half of it. Together, I told him, we had porbably seen one entire opera.

Act II was exceptional. Imitation of cruel laughter. Colorful clothing of men early in the 20th century. Puppets were imaginative and interesting and provided some action at last.

Did I mention that the opera was very, very long? Could have easily been cut.

Audience loved it. Pretentious people.

Give me Verdi and Puccini. Or even Wagner. In fact, rather than Satyagraha, I'd even see "Lulu" or "Wozzeck" again.