Watching Senta give her swan song and then pitch herself into the sea at the end of The Flying Dutchman still gives me goosebumps.
Opera...
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I've been to one opera, The Flying Dutchman performed by the San Francisco Opera a few years back. It was an incredible spectacle, and the performers and orchestra seemed wonderful to my uneducated ears. I was extremely glad I went and would like to go to another...
That said, it is hardly something I listen to regularly. And I am one of those people that can find just about anything to be interesting for about 30-45 minutes... After that, there comes a point where I'm checking my watch, or I guess the program at an opera, to figure out how much longer I have to sit through.
That said, it is hardly something I listen to regularly. And I am one of those people that can find just about anything to be interesting for about 30-45 minutes... After that, there comes a point where I'm checking my watch, or I guess the program at an opera, to figure out how much longer I have to sit through.
I love Opera.
I got bit by the bug after my father returned from a business trip to NYC with a commemorative record set of Opening Nights At The Met. Thereafter I spent my few spare nickels on recordings of opera as there wasn't much opportunity to see and hear it in LaLa Land. I have probably 50 to 60 opera recordings, maybe more.
It's great shit, Mrs Presky.
Over the years I've seen and heard hundreds of performances of dozens of Operas. I had two season tickets for the LA Opera for over a decade, only reluctantly giving that up for season tickets for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
I've seen and heard opera in all sorts of locations, attending performances put on by community non profits (some of them excellent) and groups passionate about the art form.
But I also appreciate that it's not for everybody, though it used to be. People have different passions. I don't attend the ballet, or attend poetry readings, at least not if conscious. But others love those art forms.
There's something for everyone.
I got bit by the bug after my father returned from a business trip to NYC with a commemorative record set of Opening Nights At The Met. Thereafter I spent my few spare nickels on recordings of opera as there wasn't much opportunity to see and hear it in LaLa Land. I have probably 50 to 60 opera recordings, maybe more.
It's great shit, Mrs Presky.
Over the years I've seen and heard hundreds of performances of dozens of Operas. I had two season tickets for the LA Opera for over a decade, only reluctantly giving that up for season tickets for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
I've seen and heard opera in all sorts of locations, attending performances put on by community non profits (some of them excellent) and groups passionate about the art form.
But I also appreciate that it's not for everybody, though it used to be. People have different passions. I don't attend the ballet, or attend poetry readings, at least not if conscious. But others love those art forms.
There's something for everyone.
I go see it live every chance I get but would never listen to a recording on purpose.
It's live show or nothing for me.
It's live show or nothing for me.
Saw two or three of the cycles of Der Ring des Nibelungen at the Chicago Met, around my college years. (So in the general vicinity of 1993-96).
The Met will do the Ring cycle every ten or so years, so eventually I’ll make it to all four. Fortunately they give a program to give a loose generalization of what’s happening as I can’t follow along with the Germanic. Wonder if anyone’s ever produced an English language version?
The Met will do the Ring cycle every ten or so years, so eventually I’ll make it to all four. Fortunately they give a program to give a loose generalization of what’s happening as I can’t follow along with the Germanic. Wonder if anyone’s ever produced an English language version?
I used to think I hated opera. Then in college a professor I respected a lot started a class about it. I took it and fell in love with the genre. I even got some parts in operas later in my college career. I can see why people don't enjoy it but the proper introduction to it is, in my experience what makes the difference in enjoying it...or not.
It's a minor dream of mine to see the full ring cycle before I die.
IMHO - Best browser out there...
I don’t mind some of the music, but I don’t like to sit through an entire opera. I had it forced on me as a kid. Though I’d rather sit through an opera than a musical. Those are like getting fingernails pulled off.
Several performances of opera I've seen have the subtitles projected above the stage, so it is as easy to follow the lyrics as it is with a subtitled movie. This isn't always provided, but when it is, it helps a lot. My foreign language skills are minimal despite persistent efforts to at least develop my high school French. My Dutch brother-in-law has competence in about six languages. Groan.
I've been meaning to check out this podcast:
www.wnycstudios.org
Aria Code: Season 4 | WNYC Studios | Podcasts
The magic of opera revealed, one song at a time.
This odd woman who lives on my floor has a Klaus Nomi photo taped to her door.
As a kid, I was quite fond of the Chuck Jones version of 'The Barber of Seville'.
A few years ago I went to see the real opera. I liked that also.
A few years ago I went to see the real opera. I liked that also.
The great Operas of the past are just fascinating to me. The Ring Cycle, Turandot, Aida, Latraviata, Madama Butterfly, and so many more are just rivetting to me. The modern composers haven't got a clue about what made opera great and why they are producing tripe. Having said that it is doubtful opera will last much longer.
I think what Frank Lloyd Weber does are musicals, and I find the music kind of interesting. He can definitely wrap a melody around your brain. But somehow I always feel the plots sort of melt in the music. The shows have plots on paper, and they can be outlined, but on stage, I lose the story altogether. I guess others don't at all. For Cats, read the T.S. Eliot poem "Ole Possom's Book of Practical Cats," from which it derived.
I love a good musical. I bought a season’s worth at Drury Lane year’s ago when they were doing those prep shows before going on tour.
South Pacific, Les Miserable (? apt title for you, as you said you don’t like them),
Annie and something else which never went on tour.
Jersey Boys was entertaining. Cadillac theater.
Saw the Donny Osmond Joesph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat too. At the Chicago Theater.
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