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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 16, 1990)
Reviews get feedback Bar, ‘Don Pasquale’ critics blasted by readers ‘Pasquale’ critic lacked knowledge, opera experience I’ve read with some amusement and a great deal of dismay many of the arts reviews in the Daily Nebras kan and willingly attributed it to a lack of experience or unfamiliarity with the vehicle presented on the parts of student reviewers. However, Julie Naughton’s irresponsible review (Daily Nebraskan, Nov. 12) of last week end’s “Don Pasquale” opening sim ply must be addressed. Let me emphasize that I had noth ing to do with the production as a School of Music faculty member. She is correct in saying the opera’s plot is a dud (mos; operas are) and I agree that collegiate productions should be presented in their original language. However, the compensatory action on stage — especially the commedia dcH’aric touches — was enlivening and, for observant spectators, just plain funny. The orchestra played bravely, not beautifully. The singers were not too soft; in many cases, the orchestra was too loud. Diction, for the most part, was excellent — even from the cho rus. The variety of voice types was particularly noteworthy. If Ms. Naughton gleans her im pressions from intermission chit-chat, I’d advise her to seek out people from whom she can gain knowledgeable, but not partial or prejudicial, infor mation. Sending some people to re view an opera is as misguided as sending me to review a football game. I may enjoy it— win or lose — but I don’t get too critical given my lack of expertise. James Hejduk associate professor music Review was not music criticism, or good journalism Wo write in response to Julie Naughton’s Nov. 12 review ol “Don Pasquale” presented by the School of Music. Ms. Naughton tailed to address all pertinent issues regarding direction, staging, scenery, costumes, acting, musicality, interpretation, etc. What she has given us is a look at her “lukewarm” response to the most accessible style of opera. Unfortu nately, her response is indicative of the 20th century public’s response to art music in general, and opera in specific. Perhaps if Ms. Naughton had first educated herself, which is a journal ist’s responsibility, she could have posed more interesting questions than what may have motivated the audi ence to attend. For instance, she could have asked what cuts, if any, were made in the original music and libretto? Was the use of soft backdrops, as opposed to more solid dramatic scenery in keep ing with the light-hearted style of comic opera? (She thought they “looked unprofessional.”) If the “pace” of the production was not adequate to hold the reviewer’s attention, and by extension the audience’s, is that the fault of the composer or the director? (She blamed the composer.) Can the success of a performance, or the quality of individual performances, be meas ured by the size of the audience on opening night? (She seems to think so as per her opening paragraph.) Or, can we expect an individual voice to out-sing an entire orchestra? We agree with her observation that there were some imbalances here. However, there are limits to what even the most highly developed oper atic voice can achieve. Wouldn’t ?t make more sense to ask the orchestra to tone it down? But then, not much of her review made any sense. For ex ample, if Ms. Naughton felt that the plot was easy to “get lost in” what rationale could she possibly have for requesting to see it done in Italian? Perhaps she also feels that the theater department’s recent productions of the works of Chekov should have been done in Russian! We question her definition of “professional,” and propose that she confuses the profes sional with the dramatic. Apparently, she perceives humor, minimal props, and soft-drops as deficiencies. Again, she failed to ask whether the appear ance of the set isn’t in keeping with thecommediadell’arte style. Shealso failed to observe that the simple, but sincere humor of this 19th century (not 18th century) opera reflects a different age than our own; she never considers the possibility that if the production failed to hold her atten tion it is not the fault of the opera, but the result of a la/.y mind that has been lulled by a culture’s passion for overt and easy entertainment, as found in the quick-fix 30-minute sit-com, to which she so readily compares it. Notice, she never mentions whether this “comic” opera ever even made her laugh. Wc feel that Stephen Bobst’s per formance was not the only notewor thy one. Both Kurck and Rook dis played accomplished lyricism and vocal facility, particularly in their exquisite love scene duet, which by the way was in Italian. Konvahn, as Dr. Malatcsta also gave a solid per formance. By Sunday’s performance Kon valin had overcome the orchestra and volume — handicapped by the sheer precision of his diction! Ms. Naughton has a lot of nerve to assume that the whole audience fell asleep as she was prone to do. Her lack of interest surely stems from her lack of knowledge of the subject. Her assumptions as to why the audience was in attendance were irrelevant to any serious music criticism, but they are certainly a clue that she resented being required to attend for the sake of writing a review. We agree with one other assess ment: The music department needs better publicity of its student produc tions. But this superficial fault is no criterion by which to judge the value of Donizette’s opera as a “showcase” for student talent, which she attempted to do. She only needed to read the program notes to know that “at any rate, and in any form, Don Pasquale. .. is one of the brightest jewels of the crown of the comic opera repertoire.” Granted, Ms. Naughton is an un fortunate victim of an era that does not aspire to mature insight, which has traded its invaluable arts for the immediate profits of the popular. However, that does not excuse her I. from the fact that her review is nei ther music criticism, nor good jour nalism. If she had been slightly in formed, she could have at least asked interesting questions. Then perhaps her review would not have lacked the enthusiasm that she simply failed to perceive in Friday’s performance. Eileen Bockheim doctoral candidate school of music Lynn Jacobson master of music alumni Drinkin’ review should stress bar diversity, benefits Well, it appears to be that time again. When the Daily Nebraskan reporters huddle up, discuss their game plan, and then break to the local hooch parlors for a couple of hours, time enough to gather information for their “review” of the establishment, I as sume. Unfortunately, their lack of research and obvious narrow-minded ness has resulted in the largest insult of the year, thus far. I’ve been disappointed, as I’m sure many others have been as well, in various reviews and articles you have printed in the past. Now, I’m afraid, you have hit an all-time low. In your Nov. 8 edition of the Arts and Entertainment supplement Di versions, aptly titled, “Drinkin’ in Lincoln,” the focus was placed on the bar scene of downtown Lincoln. You provided a brief review of just a hand ful of local pubs/clubs that was, to say the least, in poor taste. I’d rather not go into any detail on any one article in particular, but would instead ques tion your motives on grossly unfavor able reviews. I don ’t really think these bars deserve such insults and I’m quite sure that not one of your reporters thought to look at the big picture before abusing these night spots. I’ll do my best to provide you with this “better late than never” insight. Lincoln is a thriving college town. On almost any given night a student can find an in-house or backyard party complete with an assortment of at tractive males and females and a charitable amount of alcohol to be consumed. But soonor or later, after nine or ten ol these get-togethers, one tends to desire something more. That’s where the bars come in handy! Be lieve it or not, for those who arc “of -- ' "H age” and even the lucky few who aren’t, the bar scene seems to be the popular choice of partying these days. So why may I ask would the most influential piece of mass media on campus make a conscious effort to degrade these establishments? I’ll admit, not everyone can fit into the selective crowd at O’Rourkes, arid not everyone can tolerate the alterna tive sounds of The Underground, but that’s the beauty of living in Lincoln. Within five square blocks ol pave ment, a person can hit more than a dozen different bars and clubs that’ll satisfy anyone’s needs. Whether it’s pool, darts, shuffleboard, comedy, dancing, blues or just plain socializ ing — downtown Lincoln has got it all! Why not let the students decide for themselves which places to avoid and which places to call home? I have only t wo pieces of advice to offer: • Show a little respect for those establishments that trust their adver tising with you. !i’s just not good business to bite the hand that feeds you. • Pardon my lack of a better phrase, and if I may be so bold as to speak for the licensed establishments of Lin- . coin, if you don’t like the way the businesses are being run, then please stay the hell out! Negative publicity is tolerated by none, especially if it comes from a source with its own chequered past. Chris Humphrey senior psychology Mid West National Life Students Health and Accident Insurance UNL has tried to find a medical plan to suit the needs of most of our students, graduate or undergraduate. Mid West Student Insurance Com pany and the University Health Center arc working together to provide such a plan. The premium for student coverage is affordable, and works in conjuncion with the Student health Center fees to provide the best medical care available and as economical as possible. The student is required to seek treatment at University Health Center whenever possible. To effectively utilize this policy your Health Center Ices must be paid. In the event of an emergency, if you arc more than 50 miles from UHC, or when a referral has been obtained from a IJHC physician, there is a $75.00 deductible and MOST charges arc paid at 80%. Dependent coverage is also available for an additional preminium. The policy is designed to help off-set the cost of major medical care and hospitalizations. It docs not cover routine physicals, dental visits or prescriptions. Dependents must use community medical resources, and the deductibles will apply. QUARTELY COVERAGE AVAILABLE November 24, 1990 RATES: Student Only $84.00 Student/ Spouse $297.00 Add for Each Child $94.00 Semi- Annual Coverage will begin February 24,1991 Spring - Summer Coverage begins 1/1^4/91 Dcaiailed information and rates arc available by mail or at the Student Health Center. There is also a 24 -hour information line you can call at 472-7437. A complete set of instructions for the first time smoker. n s i d o r ge Independent Study i College Independent Study credit is UNL credit. Credit that can keep you on your academic timetable. Credit that can be the difference between graduating and not graduating. Choose from more than 81 credit and 10 noncredit courses ^ Set your own study and exam schedules Complete a course in five weeks or take up to a year Learn from UNL faculty s UNL Independent Study Division of Continuing Studies Nebraska Center, Room 269 - East Campus, 33rd & Holdrege Call 472-1926 for Details Lincoln. 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