This is, without doubt, one of the funniest cartoons I have ever seen. Not only does it pay homage to the great opera composer, Rossini, but also to one of the finest conductors of all time. If anyone can name who Bugs is impersonating, I'll give you a prize of some kind. Lee, I know you know the answer so you're automatically disqualified. So sue me or something. :)
By the way, you have to remember that the man who is singing actually has to hold out that particular note for that long of time. This was before the time of feedback loops and such. I doubt if such could be reduplicated today.
We all know that this is funny, but if this were created today, would people be able to understand it? Would people just assume opera is silly because of ridiculous stereotypes? Just the other day, I saw a TV ad for a lawyer who will change your annuity settlement to one lump sum payment. And he uses opera to convey that message? Is it effective? Or will people only pay attention because it is different? Is opera a truly lost art form that has no appeal except for some comic factor? Two months ago, I went to see Aida which is a masterpiece, written by Giuseepe Verdi. I doubt the Orpheum Theater was filled to half capacity. How sad.
Aside from that depressing note, have fun with this and prepare to laugh!
2 comments:
Hi Chris -- ran into your comment on Pastor Weedon's blog, and came over to check out your blog.
I'm wondering if you are from Omaha. I am.
I remember two performances of Aida I went to close to the same time. One was the Met on tour at Northrup Auditorium at U Minnesota. At one point, there was some booing during an aria, and the well-heeled looked in horror at the booers. Turns out they were Italians, just regular guys, and the singer had dispensed with the lyrics to comment on the Minnesota weather.
Not long thereafter I went to Aida in the old Roman amphitheatre in Verona. Way up in the nosebleed section, where after each piece the regular guys around me burst into discussion about whether or not it was well done and why or why not.
Bugs Bunny is fantastic. Along with the Barber parody, I love the Wagner one! Actually, I love the entire canon of his work, to use the phrase.
As a former music theory professor I will abstain from voting on the conductor.
Pleasure to run into you!
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