Klarinet Archive - Posting 001440.txt from 2004/03

From: "Matthew Lloyd" <Matthew@-----.uk>
Subj: [kl] Magic Flute (On topic - I promise)
Date: Mon, 29 Mar 2004 19:09:53 -0500

On Saturday night I went to see the Magic Flute at the English National
Opera, in the newly refurbished Coliseum in London.

No basset horns!

I have to say I was flabbergasted. The conductor, Nicholas Kraemer, who
the Guardian noted as a "period specialist" certainly appeared to have
the measure of what is a superb production, but I cannot see how in this
day and age a professional opera company can possibly do this with some
of the very greatest music that Mozart wrote.

I noticed that the orchestra were using the Kalmus edition - although I
cannot conceive that this does not have the parts for basset horn in it
- and I guess that may not have been the most up to date (I'm sure that
Dan can assist here).

Obviously there cannot be any excuse for this - but is there any reason?
Is life so hard at the ENO that they cannot afford the hire charges for
the instruments?

I still have difficulty believing that I actually saw it with my own
eyes, but being in the front row I am unfortunately certain. In any
event my ears confirmed it!

Matthew

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