We have the complete restored film now, so perhaps we will have some answers soon. I have started watching it and WOW! So 70s, and super engaging. The musical language is darker than I expect for a children’s opera, but the more I listen, the more intrigued I am. It suits the story, and is beautifully crafted, full of colorful orchestral surprises. The Wife is the flawed character – dissatisfied, always dreaming about something she doesn’t have, gets carried away. John Updike added a character – The Cat. A creature who comments on her masters’ actions with plaintive ‘meows’. She becomes a Cardinal in the scene with Wife as Pope, waiting on her mistress J. Together with the Magic Fish, these non-human characters observe and comment on human nature, the irony of our quest for more, More, MORE.
The Cat seems perplexed by the fact that the Fish can talk – funny – so can she! Early on they have a wonderful little exchange. Enjoy!
Video courtesy of of the Sarah Caldwell Collection, Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center at Boston University. Group Westinghouse Broadcasting – Thomas J. Knott, Producer/Director
Post by Linda Osborn, Artistic Administrator for Odyssey Opera of Boston.
For tickets, visit www.bmop.org or call 617-585-1260.