The creators of Fringe adore David Cronenberg. They openly credit Cronenberg as an inspiration, and the Canadian filmmaker's influence was evident in Tuesday night's episode, which merrily milked Dead Ringers' sadistic surgical instruments motif.
But opera critics aren't feeling the love for Cronenberg's staging of The Fly. Presented at Los Angeles Opera through Sept. 26, the production remakes Cronenberg's 1986 remake of the 1958 sci-fi classic, with film composer Howard Shore's score conducted by Placido Domingo.
Despite the striking visuals -- Martin Scorsese's favorite production designer, Dante Ferretti, created the sets -- this Fly has failed to take flight, judging from the snarling reviews:
- The New York Times* described the show as "ponderous and enervating."
- Orange County Register judged it a "stillborn etude in boredom."
- Los Angeles Times declared the production "dreary."
- L.A. Weekly said The Fly "stinks up the chandeliers."
Have you seen the Fly opera? Is there another sci-fi classic you think deserves the operatic treatment? Let us know in the comments below.
Images courtesy Los Angeles Opera
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