A Solo From The Pit

See it if You want to see something new, fresh, original and inspiring. Plus you might just learn something about opera.

Don't see it if You don’t like original music or hearing about other people’s journeys in life.

See it if You enjoy people who follow their dreams.

Don't see it if You like strictly classical music.

See it if Want to hear a Russian Jewish trombonist performing good musical pieces with Russian-school naughty stage clowning. Something different.

Don't see it if Somebody brought an infant with them who practically was crying the whole time. No it's not O.K. to bother other people with your kids.

See it if you like opera classics remixed, modern day verbal & musical interpretations of ludicrous opera plots. Point of view of a pit defector.

Don't see it if dislike live looping, want more reverential fare. Has what I can only describe as a crazy-uncle-from-the-old-country sense of humor.

Also Super impressive soloist. I liked the show's music & technical facility. Don’t know the right terminology for this but Faingersh live loops successive layers of brass sounds, opera melodies, and vocal modulations into multi-textured, one-man arrangements. Even though there’s only a trombone it’s very percussive, full sounding, & upbeat. It’s cool to watch and a good jam! (It’s not as bizarre as my description sounds. You’ll know it when you see it.)

This is an accessible show but maybe overcompensates for the snobby reputation opera has. The spoken part is sort of lowbrow to an almost-forced degree and vaguely sexist like your older, crazy uncle. It’s tolerable. And there were opera lovers in the audience who clearly liked that Faingersh was playing up the bawdiness of some librettos. Maybe it’s an inside joke? Interestingly, Faingersh identifies w/ the opera heroine roles, not the tenors (in Madama Butterfly, Tosca, La Traviata).... Read more Read less

See it if You dislike opera and like unusual, jazz-infused music.

Don't see it if You love opera. The performer almost makes fun of opera.

Also The performer is charming and talented. But beware of attending if you are an opera-lover! Also, it didn't help that the theater let the audience in 30 minutes after the scheduled start time.... Read more Read less

See it if You like listening to solo trombone music both classic opera and mdoern interpretations.

Don't see it if You are looking to an interesting story into the different/unseen parts of the opera world. Also if you are passioante about opera.

See it if you love trombone, but it's painfully over-amplified. Some fun opera discussion and melodies. Uses musical repeater for back-up.

Don't see it if you want truly funny patter (SOLO is lame) or dislike misogyny. Even 60mn is too long. Opens w off-putting song. Not esp'ly moving/inspiring

Also This show rubbed me the wrong way, but many in the audience enjoyed it. I found the music WAY TOO LOUD (the space is small) and the "jokes" not funny. Twice, Faingersh mouths "F*ckin' bitch." His view of women seems inappropriately negativ. He thinks himself a hero for leaving the opera world and exploring more experimental music. The riffs on opera, though, were more fun to listen to than his own work.... Read more Read less