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At the Center of Santa Barbara’s Cultural Conversation | www.VoiceSB.com
November 29, 2019
The Two Popes SBIFF Cinema Society Screening:
No two actors can deliver the goods like Hopkins and Pryce. The Welsh sensibility and passion that Hopkins infuses in Pope Benedict – the former Joseph Ratzinger – in his waning days in the Papacy are at the same time fear inducing and heart wrenching. Knowing that his dogmatic views will never change, he chooses to Review by Sigrid Toye, Special to VOICE step aside on behalf of the more open, humanitarian, and humble doctrines represented by Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio. Jonathan ALK ABOUT THE CLASH OF TITAN THESPIANS… this Pryce’s Cardinal, not too many years younger than the Pope, rejects would be in the center ring! The Two Popes, starring (Sir) Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce, directed by Fernando the offer and opposes the radical resignation of a sitting Pontiff. Pryce’s Cardinal nonetheless has a spry step, a compassionate Meirelles with a thought provoking, humorous script by heart, and a completely confused demeanor which he maintains Anthony McCarter is definitely the film to enjoy. Like a global until the film’s final scenes. Both actors inhabit their roles so prizefight, all bets seem to be off as the two opponents swerve completely, and express such compassion for the arc of each other’s and jockey around one another’s massive theological differences, character, that its possible to forget that the words and emotions occasionally landing a decisive punch, but always they express once came from the printed page. coming back for the next round. Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce in The Two Popes Tight shots of the actors’ Dissatisfied with the staid dogma of the was created on a set with images of the faces lift the dialog Roman Catholic Church, Argentinian Cardinal frescoed walls before they were cleaned. from the screen into the Bergoglio (Jonathan Pryce) requests retirement Although the ceiling of the chapel was theater like a laser beam. from the German born Pope Benedict (Anthony green screened, the completed chapel Whether the action is Hopkins). The introspective scholarly Pope appeared completely genuine. The dialog serious or humorous, Benedict, enmeshed in self-doubt and facing an was consistent with the actual words of the even sometimes silly, increasing world wide scandal, turns the tables Popes through the research of their public the fourth wall is never on his harshest critic, instead summoning him statements and transposed as the facebroken … but it often to Rome for a chat. The conversations between to-face conversation that moved the plot feels that way. the two diametrically opposed theologians take forward. When the lights place within the confines of the Vatican and a The story is an imaginary view of in the Riviera Theater picturesque Papal Palace as together, but never The Two Popes Producer how a massive transition in the Roman came on after the in agreement, they forge a future for a billion Jonathan Eirich Director Fernando Meirelles and Jonathan Catholic Church such as this might screening, Santa believers around the world. Pryce have taken place, with two living Popes Barbara International Film Festival’s On the surface this film might attract or distance the potential residing within the walls of the Vatican. This film is actually a Senior Programmer Mickey Duzdevich began a Q&A with The viewer because of its religious content and setting. Like a bricks triumph for two formidable actors sharing their talent on film, Two Popes Producer Jonathan Eirich. and mortar Broadway theater however, the opulently replicated and a thought provoking film for our time. Catch it on Netflix – “Working with two talented actors with such stature and Sistine Chapel, the gardens of the Papal Palace, and interior of the courtesy of Netflix - if not in the theater. years of expertise was quite remarkable!” exclaimed Eirich. “And Vatican simply act as a stage. And to some extent, the theological they got along famously.… joked with each other constantly dialog serves the same function; the spoken word becomes the Sigrid Toye volunteers for the Breakwater Flag Project. She is on during filming. Since most of the story, and backstory, is about mask behind which each character’s true self is hidden. As the the board of directors of the Maritime Museum and participates Pryce’s character, Hopkins referred to him as ‘Number One’. Pryce in Yacht Club activities. An educational/behavior therapist, Sigrid dialog continues, passion, shielded by the eloquence of words, holds a Ph.D in clinical psychology. She loves all things creative, returned the favor with ‘Number Two’ as a name for Hopkins. ” peels away the complicated emotional layers to reveal a tale of including her two grown children who are working artists. Contact Highlights during the interview involved the fashioning of human fallibility, missteps, compassion, and understanding. her at Itssigrid@gmail.com the screenplay and the magnificent settings. The Sistine Chapel Photo courtesy of Netflix
Photo Courtesy of SBIFF
Photo courtesy of Netflix
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Santa Barbara Museum of Art
Jasper String Quartet – The Force is with them! HARISMATIC WELL DESCRIBES THE THRILLING ENERGY, perfect intonation, stunning blend, and intellectual prowess of the Jasper String Quartet which performed at the Mary Craig Auditorium at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art last week (November 21st). The Auditorium is a wonderful chamber music venue. Seating about 125, it offers an intimate audience experience. A bit dry acoustically, visiting ensembles, especially string quartets, must adjust their sound projection accordingly. Philadelphia-based Jasper String Quartet gave a superb recital there filling the room to bursting with their huge sonic presence. On the program, Beethoven’s String Quartet Op. 18, No. 4 in C minor (1801); an intriguing work by composer Vivian Fung, her String Quartet No. 3 (2013); and Schubert’s heartbreaking String Quartet No. 14 in D minor (1824) known as Death and the Maiden, composed at the beginning of the composer’s horrifying five-year decline and death from what was at that time incurable syphilis. Founded in 2006 while they were studying together at the Oberlin Conservatory, violinists J. Freivogel and Karen Kim, violist Sam Quintal, and cellist Rachel Henderson Freivogel have filled their Jasper trophy rack with international prizes and awards ever since. The ensemble’s latest CD, The Kernis Project: Debussy, was released in June and has garnered rave reviews. A compelling force majeure in the heady and competitive world of international string quartets, the Jaspers are the real deal. With the exception of Vivian Fung’s contemporary Quartet No. 3, the program began and ended with virtuoso standard repertory; Beethoven’s Quartet No. 4 and Schubert’s Death and the Maiden. Opening the concert with Beethoven, the Jaspers immediately transformed the room, the audience, and in particular the acoustic, filling the place with a remarkably focused, full-bodied, and gorgeously blended sound. The second movement Andante scherzoso quasi allegretto with its coy humor, Mozartean temperament, beautifully crafted fugato, and bright C
Major tonality in an otherwise C minor sound world sparkled with color and dynamic fun despite Beethoven’s ever-present occasional broods. The Jaspers’ clean, crisp playing, perfect intonation, and flawless technical execution illuminated all four movements, especially the last Allegro – Prestissimo. Canadian-born composer Vivian Fung is gifted with an imagination both intuitive and naïve. Her mesmerizing String Quartet No. 3 composed in 2013 is sophisticated in its compositional structure precisely to achieve the magical simplicity of her several sound illusions - a parlor organ intoning one of the guiding motives of the work; cluster chords of exquisite, otherworldly beauty; an angelic chorale tune; birdsong. In one continuous movement and lasting about ten minutes, Fung’s quartet is a reflection, at least partially, of the composer’s personal milieu, thoughtful and meditative The Jasper String Quartet: violinist J. Freivogel , violinist Karen Kim, cellist Rachel when west and east are in harmony, harsh, Henderson Freivogel, and violist Sam Quintal perilous, and craggy as the mountains of Banff was Death and the Maiden. Arguably the most famous, every National Park (the work was commissioned by the Banff Centre professional ensemble learns, loves, and performs this masterpiece. and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) when tectonic plates The catch is, how to keep the experience fresh for audience and literal and metaphysical, shift. Sliding pitches, fascinating modes, players alike? From the first notes, Jasper Quartet’s interpretation sounds from centuries past, and contemporary mashup, the work’s jumped off the page. Informed and stylish, rich in detail, otherworldly ascending drift and dispersal at its end represented profoundly moving, the four voices of the quartet a rich blend of not only magnificently skillful compositional narrative, but timbre and temperament, this was a performance that will remain philosophical metamorphoses. The Jaspers made each note count. in memory for its energy and insight. Clarity of ensemble timbre and voice leading, superb intonation and studied attention to every riveting emotional detail helped Daniel Kepl has been writing music, theatre, and dance reviews for even fresh listeners savor this wonderful addition to the string Santa Barbara publications since he was a teenager. His professional quartet repertoire. expertise is as an orchestra conductor. After intermission and by virtue of its majesty, the standFor more reviews by Daniel Kepl visit: alone work of the evening, Schubert’s 14th of 15 string quartets, www.performingartsreview.net Courtesy Photo
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Review by Daniel Kepl / VOICE