Swiss theatre director booed in New York
Swiss theatre director Luc Bondy was rewarded with a chorus of disdain for his production of Puccini's Tosca at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, according to AP.
First performed in 1900, Tosca featured a starry cast and renowned music director James Levine in the pit, but the 3,800 fans at Monday night’s gala took exception to Bondy’s attempt to bring a fresh look to the piece.
It was the director’s debut at the Met.
A standing ovation for the stars turned into boos for Bondy and his production team, prompting management to bring down the curtain.
The audience disagreed with Bondy’s reinterpretation of key sets and with his handling of action moments. In a key stabbing scene, it was impossible for the audience to see the action.
The production is scheduled for seven more performances this fall and then returns with some cast changes for eight more outings in the spring.
Other new productions over the years have been greeted with boos in New York but rarely if ever has a Met opening night performance received such a hostile reaction.
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