(no subject)

[cahn]

All right, I've wanted to do this for a while:

The problem with operas is that they're too long. By which I mean, if anyone in them was sensible they'd all be at most half the length.

So: comment with an opera name (*) and I'll respond with a short snippet of a canon-divergence AU where the opera is Much Shorter. Warning, of course, that at least some of the characters will be wildly out of character. That is to say, probably much more sensible. :)

(*) If it's an opera I know, you'll get the ficlet much sooner. If it's one I haven't watched yet, I'll put it on my list to watch and you'll get the ficlet once I've watched it. This is a good opportunity for you to get me to watch your favorite opera, since after I finish Norma with Caballé I'm gonna go back to RL opera friend and ask for more DVDs! (Though given my previous track record, this might also take a while.)

(cross-posted to tumblr)

Comments

[zdenka]

Hmm, how about Il Trovatore?

[cahn]

...I must admit I am a big fan of Leonora/No One In This Opera :P
------------------------------
As Leonora made her way to the altar to be presented to God as a nun, the Count di Luna burst in with his men. "No, never, Leonora! You are mine!"

And then the Troubador Manrico appeared as well. Leonora smiled in joy, but his eyes were instead fixed on the Count.

"You should be dead! Is it possible that the dead can leave death's eternal realm!" the Count snarled at him, drawing his sword from its sheath.

"God succored me," Manrico said, but almost abstractedly. And then, still looking at the Count: "God has saved me so that I may tell you this, Count: I have lately learned something you also must know. My mother, Azucena, was not the woman who bore me. She stole me away... from your father the old Count. I am your brother!"

All gasped. The Count said flatly, "That cannot be! But --" He hesitated.

Ferrando, beside him, said suddenly, "I see the resemblance, sir. The shape of your father's face, and your mother's eyes. "

"Then," the Count said, his voice breaking, "it is you whom I have sought for so many years, in vain -- and I would have killed you!" And he sheathed his sword and embraced Manrico, and wept unashamedly.

"I never knew why I spared your life, that day on the battlefield," Manrico said softly. "Now I do. I always knew there was something missing in my life -- but only now has it been revealed to me that it was the brother whom I have never known." And he too wept.

Leonora watched them; she was temporarily forgotten. She saw now that most of di Luna's mad love for her -- and perhaps part of Manrico's too -- had been the frustrated love and longing for a brother that he could not find. And her heart rose with happiness for them, and also for herself. She might, she thought, go with Manrico if she so desired -- or even with the Count -- or give herself to God in the end, after all -- or none of those; now that Manrico and di Luna were reconciled, all seemed possible.

[zdenka]

(I feel like this is fair.)

Thank you! :D Brotherly reconciliation, excellent! And everyone just . . . getting less obsessive about everything is always good.

[cahn]

Yay reconciliation! And being less obsessive! :D (Though, it occurs to me, still as dramatic :) )

[alcanis_ivennil]

Awww, my boys being happy!

[cahn]

:D

...I just can't get over Hvorostovsky kind of cradling Manrico in his arms. :(

[alcanis_ivennil]

That staging was heartbreaking and also perfect. My poor boys.

[cahn]

Hard agree on all of this. It's totally my headcanon now.

[alcanis_ivennil]

Kill that tenor on stage because a) Drama and b) di Luna can have a more epic breakdown afterwards