TEATRO DON OPERATICO
Plot Twists
Date: May 08, 2000 08:54 PM
Author: Gene C
Subject: New Plot Twists
Do
the old warhorse operas end too predictably after sitting through
them
for the umpteenth time? Maybe someone should do a bit of a
re-write on some of them just to keep up our interest, if not just
for
variety's sake. For example, how many times have we seen the
hapless Tosca leap from the parapet. We think, well, soprano X did a
better leap than Soprano Y last season, or What a relief that
soprano Z has at last been dispatched. Why couldn't Mario really NOT
be
shot, but pretend to be while peering at Tosca with one squinted
eye
open as she leaps into the air to meet Scarpia before God. And
then
he would rise up singing a final aria that he is now and
finally free of this jealous shrew. Then the curtain falls as he
runs
off to be with the beautiful blond who sat for the portrait he
had
been painting when the opera started. Are there any other operas
that
could use a little different plot twist at the end (or at the
beginning or the middle, for that matter)?
Date: May 10, 2000 09:55 AM
Author: Pippo
Subject: New Plot Twists
I seem to remember a similar thread a few months ago about
alternative endings to operas but am not sure what it was called.
( The official SR historian Don Operatico probably knows. )
Anyway, my suggestion was for Madama Butterfly. Instead of waiting
around for Pinkerton, she gets close - and I MEAN close - to
Sharpless. So when Pinkerton's letter arrives, Sharpless reads it
to her in bed. Horrified at the unwelcome news of Pinkerton's
imminent return, they decide to move house immediately. THE END.
This thread could mutate into an IHTC project: rewrite all operas
known to man so that the tenor is written out of the plot by Act
2.
Date: May 10, 2000 07:18 PM
Author: Don Operatico (operatico@hotmail.com)
Subject: New Plot Twists
I love it!
There was a thread about ending the opera at the beginning, for
example (tho' this wasn't in the thread) simply have the Count
let F and S marry, and voilà! no Nozze di Figaro (which would be
kind of a drag, admittedly). I'm drawing a blank as to the
thread's name.
Date: May 10, 2000 03:06 PM
Author: Susie M
Subject: New Plot Twists
Onegin and Lensky arrive at dawn for their duel, but decide to
call the whole thing off. Everyone marries and lives happily ever
after.
Date: May 09, 2000 02:50 AM
Author: Diane
Subject: New Plot Twists
Well, taking one of my pet peeve "Stupid Girl" operas, I think
Madama Butterfly could use a lesson from Tosca herself.... As
Butterfly hears Pinkerton's voice, she hides behind the screen. At
his
entrance "Butterfly!" she pulls out a revolver and shoots him
dead in his tracks.
Hell hath no fury....
Date: May 09, 2000 01:35 PM
Author: Jeff G
Subject: New Plot Twists
For
those who hate the annual December trottings-out of Amahl and
the
Night Visitors, here's how you could really head things off at
the pass.
Amahl plays his pipe, etc., until Mom calls him inside. He yammers
about the star, but eventually they go to sleep. Outside, Caspar,
Melchior, and Balthasar confer about stopping for the night in yon
shepherd's hut. They decide the place is really too ratty for
royalty, and continue on their way. Curtain.
Date: May 09, 2000 08:30 PM
Author: Don Operatico (operatico@hotmail.com)
Subject: New Plot Twists
TROVATORE: After Leonora embraces the Count, crying out "Anima mia",
the
two run off and go swimming together, the Count singing "Il
Balen" and Leonora "D'amor sull'ali rosee". Marnico, miffed, joins
the priesthood, while Nurse Battle cures Azucena of her pyre
delusion.
LA BOHEME: A socialist revolution takes place and introduces
universal health care, which saves Mimi's life. The six Bohemians
become the merriest revolutionary junta in history.
ZAUBERFLÖTE: As Pamina and Papageno sing their lovely duet, they
discover that they were meant for each other all along. The Queen of
the Night triumphs over Sarastro, and marries Tamino.
MARIA DI ROHAN: Armando kills the adulterous tenor in the duel, and
Chevreuse and Maria live happily ever after.
DON
GIOVANNI: The Don repents, marries Elvira, and lives a life of
sanctity.
Date: May 11, 2000 02:44 AM
Author: Beverly
Subject: New Plot Twists
Act
I, Scene 1: The Marschallin's husband comes home unexpectedly,
catches her in bed with Octavian, shoots them both.
Curtain.
Date: May 11, 2000 07:55 AM
Author: Russel
Subject: New Plot Twists
Eva realizes that Walther is a pain-in-the-neck, has a touch of
dangerous anger in him, and appears to be too arrogant for his own
good. She calls off the wedding and devotes her life to taking
care of Hans Sachs in his old age. Or -- alternative ending -- she
realizes that she is the martyr type and believes her life should
be spent surviving the boredom and depression of marriage to
Beckmesser.
Date: May 11, 2000 07:40 PM
Author: Don Operatico (operatico@hotmail.com)
Subject: New Plot Twists
Maybe, when she marries Beckmesser, she finds he isn't so boring
and depressing after all, not with all the techniques he knows.
Date: May 18, 2000 10:09 PM
Author: Leslie
Subject: New Plot Twists
Beverly: That being the case, maybe we could make this new,
condensed version part of a double bill: Der Rose 'N Cav, maybe?
Date: May 19, 2000 02:17 AM
Author: Beverly
Subject: New Plot Twists
Good thinking, Leslie, we can call it Jealous Husbands Night!
Best regards,
Date: May 13, 2000 08:25 PM
Author: Olympia
Subject: New Plot Twists
After the death of their mother, Lucia and Enrico get family
counselling. The counsellor helps Enrico resolve his control issues,
and
he blesses the happy marriage of Lucia and Edgardo. Similarly,
Alfredo's sister realizes she doesn't want to marry a superficial
snob, and supports the marriage of Violetta and Alfredo. Germonte
decides to devote a large sum of his money to research for a cure
for
TB, which is discovered by the brilliant, if underappreciated,
Dr Grenvile.
Date: May 18, 2000 08:49 PM
Author: Alexis
Subject: New Plot Twists
Instead of just standing there and shouting, "Hey! You can't do
that!", the Rhinemaidens actually fight for the Rhinegold and drown
Alberich. Voila! No Alberich's Curse, no Ring. Hunding later tries
to
steal the Rhinegold, and the Rhinemaidens despatch him ,too,
before he can carry off Sieglinde. She and Siegmund live happily
ever
after--as brother and sister. Siegfried not having been born,
Brunnhilde is left to be a Valkyrie and Hoyotoho to her heart's
content.
Alexis :)
Date: May 18, 2000 09:32 PM
Author: Don Operatico (operatico@hotmail.com)
Subject: New Plot Twists
And what was Wotan up to?
Date: May 19, 2000 12:04 AM
Author: Barbara
Subject: New Plot Twists
Probably disturbing Erda's sleep.
Date: May 19, 2000 09:51 PM
Author: Don Operatico (operatico@hotmail.com)
Subject: New Plot Twists
Wotan has weird tastes in women.
Operatic Diaries