Nevada Opera

Stephen Sondheim's "Sweeney Todd" crosses the line between opera and musical theater.

 One reason for that is the powerful title role, one that sets baritones everywhere salivating.

Another is Sondheim's tuneful score, arguably his best. Besides, given opera's well-known penchant for presenting everything from infanticide and incest to various gruesome forms of death, the story of a murderous barber whose victims end up in meat pies fits right in.

 Is Sweeney Todd a Musical or an Opera?

Since its inception in 1979, critics and audiences have argued over whether Sweeney Todd should be considered an opera or musical. The show has graced the Great White Way three times, all to critical and commercial success; however the world’s most prestigious opera houses continue to include the magnum opus in their seasons. Stephen Sondheim has been known to say that an opera is simply what plays in an opera house and a musical is what plays in a theatre…Whether musical theatre lover or opera buff, here’s a handy guide to let you know if you’re watching a descendent of Le Nozze di Figaro or a close kin to Oklahoma!

Sweeney Todd is an OPERA when…
The orchestra is dressed in black tie.
Sweeney Todd is a MUSICAL when…
The orchestra is dressed in black t-shirts.

Sweeney Todd is a MUSICAL when…
It stars a legendary singing actress with an illustrious career.
Sweeney Todd is an OPERA when…
It stars a debut artist who hasn't played any of the major houses.

Sweeney Todd is a MUSICAL when…
The director's interpretation totally ruined it for you.
Sweeney Todd is an OPERA when…
The conductor's interpretation totally ruined it for you.

 Sweeney Todd is an OPERA when…
“The Worst Pies in London” is an aria.
Sweeney Todd is a MUSICAL when…
“Epiphany” is a showtune.

 Sweeney Todd is a MUSICAL when…
That rude person next to you didn't applaud the stars' entrances.
Sweeney Todd is an OPERA when…
That rude person next to you applauded while the orchestra was playing.

 Sweeney Todd is a MUSICAL when…
You were on the phone the moment tickets went on sale because you wanted great seats for the biggest theatre event of the season.
Sweeney Todd is an OPERA when…
It came with your subscription.

 Sweeney Todd is a MUSICAL when…
Stephen Sondheim is the supreme musical dramatist of our time.
Sweeney Todd is an OPERA when…
Stephen Sondheim is one of those annoying 20th Century composers who always give me a headache.

Sweeney Todd is a MUSICAL when…
Nobody in the audience knows what a character mime is.
Sweeney Todd is an OPERA when…
Nobody in the audience knows who Hugh Wheeler is.

 Sweeney Todd is a MUSICAL when…
That guy playing Pirelli is hilarious.
Sweeney Todd is an OPERA when…
That guy playing Pirelli is the only one singing correctly.

 Sweeney Todd is a MUSICAL when…
Tobias' big song is “Not While I'm Around”.
Sweeney Todd is an OPERA when…
Tobias' big aria is “Nothin's Gonna Harm You”.

 Sweeney Todd is a MUSICAL when…
Anthony and Johanna take their curtain call together.
Sweeney Todd is an OPERA when…
Even the guy playing Fogg gets a solo bow.

 Sweeney Todd is a MUSICAL when…
You wonder why Mrs. Lovett takes her bow after Sweeney.
Sweeney Todd is an OPERA when…
You wonder why the mezzo takes her bow after the soprano.

 Sweeney Todd is a MUSICAL when…
The factory whistle is a symbol of the incursion of the industrial age on the human spirit.
Sweeney Todd is an OPERA when…
The factory whistle is a G sharp.

References:
Dale, Michael. 'Sweeney Todd' is a Musical! No, it's an Opera! Or Maybe it's a Ballet? Retrieved from www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=699

found on West Virginia University Arts and Entertainment site

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Opera house productions

 The first opera company to mount Sweeney Todd was the Houston Grand Opera in a production directed by Hal Prince which ran from June 14, 1984 through June 24, 1984 for a total of 10 performances. Conducted by John DeMain, the production used scenic designs by Eugene Lee, costume designs by Franne Lee, and lighting designs by Ken Billington. The cast included Timothy Nolen in the title role, Joyce Castle as Mrs. Lovett, Cris Groenendaal as Anthony, Lee Merrill as Johanna, Will Roy as Judge Turpin, and Barry Busse as The Beadle.^[25]

 In 1984 the show was presented by the New York City Opera. Hal Prince recreated the staging using the simplified set of the 2nd national tour. It was well received and most performances sold out. It was brought back for limited runs in 1986 and 2004. Notably the 2004 production starred Elaine Paige as Mrs Lovett. The show was also performed by Opera North in 1998 in the UK starring Steven Page and Beverley Klein, directed by David McVicar and conducted by James Holmes.

 In the early 2000s, Sweeney Todd gained acceptance with opera companies throughout the United States, Canada, Japan, Germany, Israel, Spain, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Australia. Bryn Terfel, the popular Welsh bass-baritone, performed the title role at Lyric Opera of Chicago in 2002, with Judith Christian, David Cangelosi, Timothy Nolen, Bonaventura Bottone, Celena Shaffer and Nathan Gunn. It was performed at the Royal Opera House in London as part of the Royal Opera season (December 2003-January 2004) starring Sir Thomas Allen as Todd, Felicity Palmer as Mrs. Lovett and a supporting cast that included Rosalind Plowright, Robert Tear and Jonathan Veira as Judge Turpin. The Israeli National Opera has performed Sweeney Todd twice. The Icelandic Opera performed Sweeney Todd in the fall of 2004, the first time in Iceland.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
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