Rob2012 Posted March 3, 2012 Report Share Posted March 3, 2012 The only version of God Save the Queen I've liked was the version at the handover. The small choir they assembled and the harmonies made it sound light and rather ethereal. I wouldn't mind at all if we had the same thing again, considering there's only so much you can do with that horrible piece of music. That may work in the Winter Games, but there were about 2500 athletes from 80 teams in Vancouver. In London, expect over 10000 athletes from ~220 teams. That's a lot of seats and a much longer parade. We'll just have to wait and see, but I don't think they can or will stray far from the Summer Games custom. I'm absolutely certain (though for the life of me I can't find a link) Coe has said he wants athletes to be able to see the ceremony live if at all possible. This isn't the first time we've heard suggestions that athletes may be in the stadium. It won't only be following the WOGs' lead. Delhi 2010 had the athletes in their stadium as well, though that did mean marching them in first and then seating them. I can't remember how well that worked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olympian2004 Posted March 3, 2012 Report Share Posted March 3, 2012 London should definitely not take a leaf out of Vancouver's book in terms of the national anthem. Nikki Yanofsky's version of "O Canada" was an unnecessary "modernisation" which turned out to be only an inch away from butchering that beautiful anthem. There are so few occasions where a modernised version of a national anthem works. I don't know if the melody of "God Save The Queen" works well for beatboxing and all the other mostly useless cr*p which is often sold under the label of "hipness". There are occasions, though, where it brilliantly works -- but it always depends on the national anthem itself. The "Star-Spangled Banner" works fine for most of the modernised versions. It just has the right melody and harmonies to be open for modernisation. This is still my favourite version of the Star-Spangled Banner, closely followed by Whitney Houston's famous version: And in terms of "God Save The Queen", I love much more the classical, proud and truly regal version at Lady Diana's and Prince Charles' wedding in 1981: But I highly doubt that they'd choose such a pompous version for the opening ceremony (sadly). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgdrewsif Posted March 3, 2012 Report Share Posted March 3, 2012 The only version of God Save the Queen I've liked was the version at the handover. The small choir they assembled and the harmonies made it sound light and rather ethereal. I wouldn't mind at all if we had the same thing again, considering there's only so much you can do with that horrible piece of music. Yes, I too really enjoyed the singing of the British anthem in the birds nest in Beijing... a simple anthem needs to be kept simple... now the version of O Canada performed by Inward Eye at the vancouver closing was great, whereas the opening version sung by Sara Yanvorski (sp?) was dreadful... if they wanted to jazz up God Save The queen a bit like vancouver did in their closing that would be one thing, it was energetic and positive, but not necessarily 'urban' or 'rock' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athensfan Posted March 3, 2012 Report Share Posted March 3, 2012 I think any jazz for "God Save the Queen" will be bad. I agree with you, Olympian. Pomp all the way. I'd pick up the tempo a bit from Charles and Di's wedding though... As for the Star-Spangled Banner, my vote goes to Whitney. Hands down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob2012 Posted March 3, 2012 Report Share Posted March 3, 2012 -- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athensfan Posted March 3, 2012 Report Share Posted March 3, 2012 Hmmm.... Not hearing it there... I'm looking for "shimmering, epic grandeur". Move over Danny, here I come! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Tower Bridge Fox Posted March 3, 2012 Report Share Posted March 3, 2012 I was at Rotherhithe today, for any one not from London its a historic riverside docklands village south-east of Tower bridge with some famous 800 years old riverside pubs the Angel and the mayflower, Its all very Fagin beating Nancy to death especially when the fog comes down as it did today, As I stood on the balcony with the Thames lapping around the floor boads a Massive war ship loomed out of the mist like the lock ness monster and glided by with the whole crew on deck, Tower bridge opened and it moored next to the HMS Belfast, I wonder if its staying for the Olympics Queens diamond Jubilee flotilla ect. This war ship must have been deployed to protect the Olympics, Its got me excited about the diamond jubily flotilla ,as its great seeing big ships on the Thames, I also I DO LIKT THE BELL!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgdrewsif Posted March 3, 2012 Report Share Posted March 3, 2012 I think any jazz for "God Save the Queen" will be bad. As for the Star-Spangled Banner, my vote goes to Whitney. Hands down. I didn't necessarily mean JAZZ when I said 'jazz it up'... so much as the figurative sense of speed it up or embellish it a bit... and yes, whitney at the super bowl during the first Gulf War was by far the greatest rendition of the Star Spangled Banner EVER and there there ever will be... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baron-pierreIV Posted March 3, 2012 Report Share Posted March 3, 2012 Wouldn't you add officials to that figure? Maybe a couple of 1,000 of them? That's why I brought the number up to 12,500 very conservatively...not the 20,000 that writer mentioned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
intoronto Posted March 3, 2012 Report Share Posted March 3, 2012 Does anyone know if South Sudan and Kosovo athletes will enter together or separately ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agreatolympicfanforlife Posted March 3, 2012 Report Share Posted March 3, 2012 London should definitely not take a leaf out of Vancouver's book in terms of the national anthem. Nikki Yanofsky's version of "O Canada" was an unnecessary "modernisation" which turned out to be only an inch away from butchering that beautiful anthem. There are so few occasions where a modernised version of a national anthem works. I don't know if the melody of "God Save The Queen" works well for beatboxing and all the other mostly useless cr*p which is often sold under the label of "hipness". There are occasions, though, where it brilliantly works -- but it always depends on the national anthem itself. The "Star-Spangled Banner" works fine for most of the modernised versions. It just has the right melody and harmonies to be open for modernisation. This is still my favourite version of the Star-Spangled Banner, closely followed by Whitney Houston's famous version: And in terms of "God Save The Queen", I love much more the classical, proud and truly regal version at Lady Diana's and Prince Charles' wedding in 1981: But I highly doubt that they'd choose such a pompous version for the opening ceremony (sadly). I believe that they would use this version for the opening ceremony because it's simple and they would not jazz up like they did in Vancouver Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiroamorim Posted March 3, 2012 Report Share Posted March 3, 2012 For closing ceremony I would love to hear something like Brian May playing on the roof. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgdrewsif Posted March 4, 2012 Report Share Posted March 4, 2012 ugh... assault on my ears... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Tower Bridge Fox Posted March 4, 2012 Report Share Posted March 4, 2012 Brian May on to of St pauls chathedral. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Tickle Posted March 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2012 Apparently Danny Boyle has requested 500 of the construction crew from the stadium appear in the opening ceremony, not sure for what though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afiqnadzir Posted March 4, 2012 Report Share Posted March 4, 2012 maybe something like sydney2000 opening construction workers scene.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Tickle Posted March 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2012 It must be. It fits with the regeneration of the area theme, although apparently at this stage they have only been asked to turn up on the day at 4! Maybe they will be building the cauldron throughout the ceremony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted March 4, 2012 Report Share Posted March 4, 2012 Turn up at 4 on the day? Oh gawd, now i'm worired. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Tickle Posted March 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2012 Thats what they have been told so far, Im pretty sure they cant have a major part, probably a bit of a wave or something. My contact thiks names will be drawn from a hat for places from his company so hopefully I will get more info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotguy Posted March 4, 2012 Report Share Posted March 4, 2012 The national anthem at Sydney 2000 was one of the best, using a popular pop group at the time and Julie anthony. It was rousing, powerful and a great start to a wonderful show. I just pray that London isnt all rap, hoodies and beatboxing :s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 I'm being very unfair but I can't help but think that Danny Boyle was the wrong choice. Nothing announced so far has particularly stirred me. Is he really the best person for the job? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotguy Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 I agree with you Lee I know London dont have the Money, and dont wana be the same as past hosts. but i think they would have been better going with someone who has ceremony experience and to try and keep it as a ceremony, instead of a film They should be looking at Sydney 2000 for their opening. Entertaining, historical, cultural, traditional and above all fun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 Depending upon a November 2012 referendum, 2012 could be the last time we see Puerto Rico in the opening ceremonies of an Olympic games. Also, am I correct in saying that the London games is a bit too soon for South Sudan to debut in the flag of South Sudan? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baron-pierreIV Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 I'm being very unfair but I can't help but think that Danny Boyle was the wrong choice. Nothing announced so far has particularly stirred me. Is he really the best person for the job? I also thought about that. I don't think he is. Just because he was a hot film director (and a local resident) at the moment of LOCOG's search, having just won the Oscar, doesn't mean he can do stadium extravaganza, even with Stephen Daldry there. SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE has lots of Bollywood dancing which is in EVERY Indian movie. You've got to have a theatrical background to do this thing...as you well know, Lee. That was just like having Spielberg and Ang Lee as consultants for Beijing. I don't really see what Speilberg could've added or changed in telling China's story. He was only added for a Hollywood pedigree which the Chinese felt that had to tap into. But in the end, they didn't need him. At least w/ Yimou, you could see his eye for spectacle and color in his various films. Even Papaioannou was primaily a theatrical person. They keep referring to Sydney, why didn't they get Ric Birch instead? And I would've thrown in West End producer Cameron Mackintosh as well. Between the 2 of them, they probably have like 40+ years of theatrical and spectacle producing experience. I have not wanted to say anything up to now, but I am rather wary of how the London 2012 OC will turn out. I mean...so far...the bell? the NHS? regeneration of a wasteland? How corny could that be? those styrofoam globes (so Salt Lake closing). Mackintosh & Birch would probably be creating a much more exciting show. But I will withhold judgment until July 28. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 I've said it before and i'll say it again, Olympic ceremonies needs to hire more gay men. They have the imagination for it. I think Birch and Mackintosh would have done a good job. William Baker would have been good also, anyone who attended Kylie's Aphrodite tour will tell you that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.