Ok, here it is. Probably too long, but with a lot of passion!! ;D
First of all, a bit of history *clears throat like a teacher*: in XIX centurt Trieste, like almost the whole Italy, was under an Austrian dominion. Most of Italy was liberated in 1860s, but Trieste and Sudtirol remained under Austria, and that's why we entered world war 1 in 1915: to redeem these areas. The castle of Miramare was built by Maximilian Hampsburg (brother of Franz Joseph) before he became Imperor of Mexico, and Elisabeth used to go there quite often when travelling around Europe. Therefore the region decided to do the show in a place which is really related to Elisabeth. (and the castle is really beautiful!!)
The show is called a "concert version": before I saw it, I believed that the artists, with their stage costumes, would get on stage and sings some highlight songs, without any sort of connection between them. A sort of the 10th anniversary concert, maybe. Well, it turned out I was completely wrong. It is called a "concert version" because there are no sets and no props, only this stage with the whole orchestra on it and some place for the action to take place. Therefore, of course, the scenes were simplified. There was no Sissi falling from the rope, for example. But the story was almost all there, they even did some scenes I had never "heard" (as I still haven't the Live recording of Elisabeth)
So, as always the show begins with Lucheni's hearing. He is not hung, he only walks on stage, among the other dead. Lucheni was played by an Italian actor, Bruno Grassini, who played this role in Wien for three years from 1998 (I learned these things when I spoke a bit to him after the performance...
): That was good, because he could play the spoken parts in perfect Italian, and sing the sung parts in very good German. So, at least, the other Italian people could understand what was going on, and there were "overtitles" (??) as well. After the Totentanz, from the group of dead Max comes out, and prepares to leave to Munich. I think "Wie du" was really sweet, with young Sissi trying to prevent her father from leaving, stealing him his comb, but then combing herself his hair and so on. Then, there was "Schoen, euch allen zu sehen", that I had never hear before. Actually, I believe it was a bit cut down, just to let the public know that Helene is to meet Franz Joseph. And cut was "Jedem gibt er das Seine": again, the publicum needed only to know that Franz Joseph is strongly guided by his mother. There was then the Bad Ischl scene, and Nichts ist schwer, which was again really sweet: Franz Joseph seemed really in love with Elisabeth, and so did she (Maya Hakvoort, by the way!) The couple was alone on stage, but at the end of the song the whole ensemble came on stage again to do "Alle Fragen sind gestellt", and "Sie passt nicht" (Though here they didn't do the beginning, with Max and Sophie complaining). Then, "Der letzte Tanz": I had always thought that all the couples dance when der Tod sings, but this time they all remain still: only Elisabeth takes notice of him, while all others are like frozen. (Well, this could also depend from the fact that the stage was quite little, and there was no place for all couples to dance) And der Tod is quite rough to Elisabeth, throwing her down and almost menacing her. However, a very nice Tod... (Maté Kamaras) *I* would have chosen him instantly ;D)
"Eine Kaiserin muss Glaenzen" was whole! And then "Ich gehoer nur mir", that Maya sang in Italian!!! I believe this is the first time that a translation of this song has been made. Actually, I found the text was ok... the Italian not so much, but the text was comprehensible, and we appreciated the effort! ;D
Then, a cut version of "Stationen einer Ehe" (Lucheni explained in Italian the first part, and der Tod sang his bit), and the ultimatum scene, with Lucheni explaining what's in the ultimatum for the Italian public. "Milch" got entusiastic applause from my sister, who always loved these "revolutionary" songs... I do not know how they all could dance in such a small place... And then "Ich will dir nur sagen", with Maya who got great applause when she appeared in *the dress*.
There was no interruption, just a moment without lights, and Lucheni was again on stage (actually, among the public!) singing Kitsch. They then did "Wenn ich tanzen will": really great, with der Tod and Elisabeth dancing together. "Mama wo bist du" was the second part sung in Italian, by a young girl who looked sooo sweet... And Maté had such a sweet expression when he listened to Rudolf saying "Wenn ich mich anstreng, kann ich ein Held sein"... :-) And his Italian was better than Maya's... But maybe it is also because he had less to say!! There was the brothel scene, which was funnier than I expected, and they even did "Die letzte Chance".. Can you believe it was the first time I heard it in German?? They then cut to Bellaria and "Die Schatten werden laenger", which I did not like like I had expected. Rudolf was carried around by der Tod as if he were a marionette in his hands, but I didn't found that to really work. And then, Rudolf sang "Wenn ich dein Spiegel waere" and decided to kill himself by running up to the balcony of Miramare Castle, where der Tod waited for him and gave him the gun with which he shot himself. I will never understand how der Tod could be back so rapidly to even sing "Totenklage"!!! Lucheni then explained "Mein neues Sortiment", and "Boote in der Nacht" was sung. Franz Joseph and Elisabeth were simply staying on the opposite ends of the stage, both quite still, which I found a bit strange: they never tried to get closer to the other. Then, there was a really short reprise of "Alle Fragen sind gestellt", and the Epilog, with Lucheni killing Elisabeth. And der Tod came on stage again, this time completely dressed in white, calling for Elisabeth to join him. I didn't understand why she tore away her travelling cloack... But I didn't even understand why der Tod was wearing white...
The whole show lasted maybe one and a half hour, but I felt it was great! Oh, that would be so good to have other "concert version" like this one... With actors that can sing and act! (those of you who say Maya Hakvoort cannot act have never seen Italian performers!!! Compared to them, she is ready for Academy Awards!
Though I felt that at times she was a bit static! ;D) I had a great time, and my sister did as well.. That's good, as she knew nothing of the show!!
And at the end we had the opportunity to "stage-door"! I asked Lucheni about playing this part in Wien, and he began to tell us about his plans, what he's doing and so on... I got autographs from Maté and Maya as well, and from Sophie, who is the one who played die Baronin in Mozart.. I told her I loved the show... Actually, I could have talked to them a lot, but there were so many people...
Vampbear: On the 5th Maya will be playing Elisabeth, while on the 6th there will be another actress... At the moment I can't remember her name, but I have been told she's as good as!
Let us know what you think when you come back!!
); I am planning to write a in-depth English review of it really soon (like tonight when I'm back from work 
); I am planning to write a in-depth English review of it really soon (like tonight when I'm back from work 
): so, for the moment let me just use three simple letters: WOW! 
Though I felt that at times she was a bit static! ;D) I had a great time, and my sister did as well.. That's good, as she knew nothing of the show!! 
) 
Well worth a visit.