Aida - Act IV
Verdi's magnificent opera "Aida", which we saw on Saturday at the Hastings Odeon via the Met Opera HD transmission, has its camp moments - particularly in the Met's production. Close-ups of Olga Borodina as Amneris brought Mrs Slocum to mind at times, from the old sitcom "Are you being served", and the barechested soldiers looked as if they had just popped in between the gym and a Gay Pride march. This grandest of grand operas seemed, curiously, to work best in the last Act, with the intimate beauty of the entombed lovers. But it was still a feast for the eyes and ears all the way through. Alas, we were only ten in the auditorium. Those who are unable to get into the London cinemas for these showings should come down here to boost the numbers.
A very different performance yesterday afternoon, at Bexhill's De la Warr Pavilion: the London Gay Men's Chorus's Christmas show. I didn't know what to expect, but as things turned out I loved every minute of it and found myself positively weeping with delight at the combination of camp comedy and undiluted professionalism.
After a dismal week with builders, the weekend lifted the spirits: better weather also helped, so we hope to be ready for the week ahead.
Antony Mair
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