A night at the opera

Dan R · June 1st, 2008, 10:54 AM

The Spoleto Festival is going on in Charleston, SC. This means plenty of cultural events. So my girlfriend wants to go to the opera. It means a lot to her, so I escort her to see La Cenerentola. It is the story of Cinderella, written by Rossini. It is nearly 3 hours long. This was my first opera. It was mildly enjoyable. I like classical music, but a classic Italian opera is not exactly my cup of tea. However, it was good to have the experience, and it made her happy. I'm sure I'm not the first guy who's taken his girlfriend or wife to the opera or ballet to keep her happy. At least she won't drag me to see Sex and the City. That's a relief.

Dan R

Fendrcaster · June 1st, 2008, 11:05 AM

I grew up listening to classical music and still listen to it frequently. I can only take so much opera, although I enjoy the music, it's hard to stay focused when you don't know what they're saying. I'd like to go once, just for the experience.

e-merlin · June 1st, 2008, 12:31 PM

You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din! I like most forms of music, but I'd be heading for the door after 5 minutes of that. I do not care for Rap or Opera. I could probably listen to the Three Tenors for a while, but even that would get old...

StratDal · June 1st, 2008, 01:27 PM

The first opera I ever attended was Gotterdamrung (sp). After the first act, I completely understood why people are into opera like DeadHeads are into The Dead. Since then I've seen two other Wagnerian operas. I'd still rather see a rock concert or show but seeing an opera once in a while is fun.

Fendrcaster · June 1st, 2008, 01:50 PM

I guess this is a lot of peoples' idea of a night at the opera.

Larry F · June 1st, 2008, 03:14 PM

Here's a Seinfield-type story. For some reason, gay culture has long embraced opera, especially in big city life. When I was teaching a music appreciation class at a Chicago university many years ago, I had a pair of opera tickets and brazenly asked my students if one of them would like to attend the opera with me that week. The back story was that I had been eyeing not one, not two, but three young women. As I said, this was a long time ago and I was an adjunct teacher, so I viewed the rules about dating students a little more cavalierly than I should have. Anyway, my plan backfired, as a guy from the class raised his hand and said, "I'll go." Great. So I meet the kid in front of the Civic Opera in the Loop and lo and behold, who do I see but my gay friend Don and his partner for the evening. Don comes up and goes, "Hi, Larry,..." I could just see the wheels spinning and I'm sure the phones lines among our network of friends were burning up that week. Anyone who has been young and single in a big city knows the Seinfield experience.

blacklinefish · June 1st, 2008, 04:59 PM

I see nothing wrong with obtaining the libretto with English translation to read before, and follow along during, the opera. There are a lot of musical styles where you need to see the words to get what the singer is talking about.

I see merit in ALL forms of music, but I admit that I like some more than others. Opera is pretty high on my list. I've never had the chance to see it in person, though. I wouldn't even know where to go.
--gh

Hockey Rocker · June 1st, 2008, 05:39 PM

My wife and I attend the Met at Lincoln Center. I'm not a member, although they pester me constantly. There are always tickets available, it seems.

I love the opera. Ballet is another story. I love my wife more and more each day, but I hope it never gets to the point that I love her so much that I subscribe to ballet tickets. Emasculation, oh children, it's just a kiss away.

By the way, at the Metropolitan Opera House on Manhattan's West Side they run the libretto in English, electronically, across the back of the seat in front of you. It's great.

Dan R · June 1st, 2008, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hockey Rocker

My wife and I attend the Met at Lincoln Center. I'm not a member, although they pester me constantly. There are always tickets available, it seems.

I love the opera. Ballet is another story. I love my wife more and more each day, but I hope it never gets to the point that I love her so much that I subscribe to ballet tickets. Emasculation, oh children, it's just a kiss away.

By the way, at the Metropolitan Opera House on Manhattan's West Side they run the libretto in English, electronically, across the back of the seat in front of you. It's great.

The english translation was shown on a screen above the stage at this performance. This is my last opera for a while. She made it up to me by going to Charleston Place afterward to hear a jazz trio. I'm still new to the city, so it was nice to see the the Galliard Theater for the first time. The Spoleto Festival gives you a chance to experience some acts you would not normally see. It runs 17 days. There is also Piccolo Spoleto which has some other events, like comedy, and various acts.

Dan R

FirstBassman · June 1st, 2008, 08:23 PM

Great movie!

June 1st, 2008, 10:54 AM	#1 (permalink)
Dan R Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Charleston, SC Age: 50 Posts: 888	A night at the opera The Spoleto Festival is going on in Charleston, SC. This means plenty of cultural events. So my girlfriend wants to go to the opera. It means a lot to her, so I escort her to see La Cenerentola. It is the story of Cinderella, written by Rossini. It is nearly 3 hours long. This was my first opera. It was mildly enjoyable. I like classical music, but a classic Italian opera is not exactly my cup of tea. However, it was good to have the experience, and it made her happy. I'm sure I'm not the first guy who's taken his girlfriend or wife to the opera or ballet to keep her happy. At least she won't drag me to see Sex and the City. That's a relief. Dan R

June 1st, 2008, 11:05 AM	#2 (permalink)
Fendrcaster Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Frederick, Maryland Age: 58 Posts: 446	I grew up listening to classical music and still listen to it frequently. I can only take so much opera, although I enjoy the music, it's hard to stay focused when you don't know what they're saying. I'd like to go once, just for the experience. __________________ I did a Google search of the letter "e". The whole internet froze up.

June 1st, 2008, 01:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
StratDal Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2004 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 285	The first opera I ever attended was Gotterdamrung (sp). After the first act, I completely understood why people are into opera like DeadHeads are into The Dead. Since then I've seen two other Wagnerian operas. I'd still rather see a rock concert or show but seeing an opera once in a while is fun. __________________ "My wife...yes. My dogs...maybe. My Strat...NEVER."

June 1st, 2008, 01:50 PM	#5 (permalink)
Fendrcaster Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Frederick, Maryland Age: 58 Posts: 446	I guess this is a lot of peoples' idea of a night at the opera. __________________ I did a Google search of the letter "e". The whole internet froze up.

June 1st, 2008, 03:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
Larry F Friend of Leo's Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Iowa City, IA Age: 55 Posts: 2,497	Here's a Seinfield-type story. For some reason, gay culture has long embraced opera, especially in big city life. When I was teaching a music appreciation class at a Chicago university many years ago, I had a pair of opera tickets and brazenly asked my students if one of them would like to attend the opera with me that week. The back story was that I had been eyeing not one, not two, but three young women. As I said, this was a long time ago and I was an adjunct teacher, so I viewed the rules about dating students a little more cavalierly than I should have. Anyway, my plan backfired, as a guy from the class raised his hand and said, "I'll go." Great. So I meet the kid in front of the Civic Opera in the Loop and lo and behold, who do I see but my gay friend Don and his partner for the evening. Don comes up and goes, "Hi, Larry,..." I could just see the wheels spinning and I'm sure the phones lines among our network of friends were burning up that week. Anyone who has been young and single in a big city knows the Seinfield experience. __________________ larry

June 1st, 2008, 04:59 PM	#7 (permalink)
blacklinefish Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Northwest Missouri Age: 40 Posts: 1,247	I see nothing wrong with obtaining the libretto with English translation to read before, and follow along during, the opera. There are a lot of musical styles where you need to see the words to get what the singer is talking about. I see merit in ALL forms of music, but I admit that I like some more than others. Opera is pretty high on my list. I've never had the chance to see it in person, though. I wouldn't even know where to go. --gh

June 1st, 2008, 05:39 PM	#8 (permalink)
Hockey Rocker Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: North Jersey Age: 46 Posts: 903	My wife and I attend the Met at Lincoln Center. I'm not a member, although they pester me constantly. There are always tickets available, it seems. I love the opera. Ballet is another story. I love my wife more and more each day, but I hope it never gets to the point that I love her so much that I subscribe to ballet tickets. Emasculation, oh children, it's just a kiss away. By the way, at the Metropolitan Opera House on Manhattan's West Side they run the libretto in English, electronically, across the back of the seat in front of you. It's great. Last edited by Hockey Rocker; June 1st, 2008 at 05:41 PM. Reason: libretto mention

June 1st, 2008, 08:23 PM	#10 (permalink)
FirstBassman Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,346	*Great movie!*