Sunday, February 27, 2011

The Metropolitan Opera Live in HD

Salutations and expressions of happiness to one and all!

Have you ever been to an opera produced by one of the world's most respective opera companies?  Have you ever watched an opera live?  Have you ever been to an opera?  "No, no and no."?  Well then... Tiffany and I have something to share with you.
 
Me?  I'm a rock 'n roller at heart.  Tiffany?  She favors country music.  Ne'er the two shall meet, huh?  Well, this is not necessarily true when it comes to the opera.  Our friends introduced us to "The Metropolitan Opera Live in HD" season series last year and we both have been hooked since!  "Hey!  Why don't you become our friend?  Friends don't let friends miss out on opera!"

We go to our local movie theater and watch opera live from the MET in New York City.  Except, our viewing has some extra advantages.  We get to watch introductions to the stars before the performance and during intermission.  We get to learn about the stars, the maestro, and the producer.  We get to watch set changes behind-the-scenes.  The greased wheels and cogs of the opera.  Stage hands, set managers, costume staff, make-up crew, etc.  The true guts 'n glory for what makes an opera truly spectacular.

Susan Graham & Placido Domingo
Source:  The Metropolitan Opera

Yesterday Tiffany & I watched a most wonderful opera, Gluck's "Iphigénie en Tauride".  Starring Susan Graham & Plácido Domingo. A truly wonderful three-hour investment of our lives!  The story, the music, the singing, the sets, the costumes and everything simply combined and melded into entertainment maximus.

Christoph Willibald Gluck
Source:  Wikipedia

A mature behaved audience and the cool comfortable seating of our modern local theater made it a treat.

"Iphigénie en Tauride" is sung in French.  Luckily, the Metropolitan Live in HD series is subtitled in English.  In addition, one page synopsis sheets are available online before the show.  As well, the theater hands out the synopsis sheets prior to the showing.  You don't have to speak French.  You don't have to speak Spanish.  You don't have to speak Russian.  You don't have to speak Italian.  Just sit back, open your eyes, turn off that cell phone, unplug those iPod ear buds, and open your mind.  You will not be disappointed.

There is something for everyone.  Whether it's the musical composition, the singing, the play, the acting, the sets, the costumes, or the intangibles it takes to pull it all together... You will not be disappointed.  Tiffany and I have found an entire new world to visit once or twice a month during the opera season!

"Operatunity."  It's an affordable and wonderful way to take a vacation from the worries, fears and stresses of everyday life.

Hi-dee hi-dee experience-something-that-you-have-never-experienced-before-ho my friends!


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