I didn't have to be very long into this morning's HD Opera from New York until I was thinking, "Yes, worth it, even for just this much. Not even 10 minutes and I am in opera heaven."
 |
| Markus Werba (Papageno) Photo: Richard Termine | Metropolitan Opera |
There were a lot of children at the opera today, in our theatre.
I might have counted a row of ten of them in front of me, and then I sat by a little 9 year old who was coming for the first time. I asked her what she knew about the opera and she said nothing.
I thought, good for her parents. They got her there. Now she can decide if she likes this or not.
I might have counted a row of ten of them in front of me, and then I sat by a little 9 year old who was coming for the first time. I asked her what she knew about the opera and she said nothing.
I thought, good for her parents. They got her there. Now she can decide if she likes this or not.
The opera was complicated for me today. I am not crazy about fantasy and if I see it, it is so well done in the movie.
The theatre depended on what seemed like mile-high puppets: the snake that takes up the whole stage, the fanciful bird and the children riding on its back, the five dancing bears and the wonderful masks on the heads of the 3 servants of the Queen of the Night.
The theatre depended on what seemed like mile-high puppets: the snake that takes up the whole stage, the fanciful bird and the children riding on its back, the five dancing bears and the wonderful masks on the heads of the 3 servants of the Queen of the Night.
What made the opera complicated is that I had read its history -- a 200 year old opera -- a mash-up of opera, stage, performers with style, and people who needed to be reminded of the melody before signing it.
All of that stylized Masonic iconography.
What great visuals.
All of that stylized Masonic iconography.
What great visuals.
I think a good time was had by all who were at the opera. I didn't see anyone leaving.
Here is bachtrack's review.
Also see "The Met Has the Voices. But will it need more to survive?
The walk up to the cinema and the walk back from the C-train also made me thoughtful. On the way there I saw a blanket and a sleeping bag tucked up against the sound barrier where the sidewalk and its flower beds join Crowchild trail. "I guess whomever slept there last night is coming back to the same place tonight," I thought, at the same time as I saw some running shoes connected to feet coming out from the north end of the blankets. "I wonder where he will get his coffee this morning," I wondered, thinking about all of the houses along the sidewalk where good breakfasts were being served.
On the way back from the theatre the wind was blowing as hard as I have ever felt it blow. A couple of times I had to put my whole body into it, just to stay standing. This was just when I was approaching the traffic circle at Crowchild Place. There Crowchild Bottle Depot is also there and empty pop bottle cans were loose and flying across the road. I had to keep my feet still for it looked like a chance to play kick the can with a can ready to be kicked at every step. Now those are cans that are going to be re-recycled, if someone has a bag and the energy to make some money.
The walk up to the cinema and the walk back from the C-train also made me thoughtful. On the way there I saw a blanket and a sleeping bag tucked up against the sound barrier where the sidewalk and its flower beds join Crowchild trail. "I guess whomever slept there last night is coming back to the same place tonight," I thought, at the same time as I saw some running shoes connected to feet coming out from the north end of the blankets. "I wonder where he will get his coffee this morning," I wondered, thinking about all of the houses along the sidewalk where good breakfasts were being served.
On the way back from the theatre the wind was blowing as hard as I have ever felt it blow. A couple of times I had to put my whole body into it, just to stay standing. This was just when I was approaching the traffic circle at Crowchild Place. There Crowchild Bottle Depot is also there and empty pop bottle cans were loose and flying across the road. I had to keep my feet still for it looked like a chance to play kick the can with a can ready to be kicked at every step. Now those are cans that are going to be re-recycled, if someone has a bag and the energy to make some money.
Arta
Independence, resilience, flexibility, and hope. Traits I hope to have long into my 70s. Thanks for showing me those are real options.
ReplyDelete