Opera fans?

[JanneE]

I am looking at some of these performances that are streamed into theaters, but am not familiar with them. "Manon Lescaut"? A lady from my old neighborhood is wanting to go with me.

 

[La damnee elle la licorne]

 

[JanneE]

She is from Holland where the sort of thing is common. I can't speak outside English and have to read the subtitles to everything! We used to go all the time a few years ago; she is just calling me again. It's less work than making reservations at a play.

 

[removed9556]

 

[JanneE]

It's cool, they do backstage interviews and everything. You have to be careful when you pick out shows, some of them are like watching paint dry. At least the screen doesn't have a borderline shit fit if you stand up and walk out. Then again it's The Met.

 

[Aphro]

Personally, I would say don't read the subtitles, just concentrate on the music.

The first time I saw an opera with subtitles, it was La Bohème, and I was somewhat appalled by how vapid some of the dialogue was! Sung in Italian it is so passionate and elegant! So I prefer to just read the English synopsis, then avoid reading the direct translation.

Here's Luciano Pavarotti singing "Donna non vidi mai" from Manon Lescaut. It doesn't get much better than this, IMO.

Donna non vidi mai - Pavarotti

 

[Aquagal]

Maybe try reading what the story is about before you go so you can just concentrate and listen to the music instead of reading the translation. I did this when I saw La Boheme in Germany, I even cried!

 

[ryan8558]

http://www.fathomevents.com/event/the-met-live-in-hd-2015-16-season/more-info/the-met-live-in-hd

 

[pointless]

all i know is dreigroschenoper and shit like that, so i'm basically of no help here. of course, i thought this was about the browser when i saw it, so there's that as well.

anyway, have some lotte lenya.

also, in german.

 

[ElizabethWest]

http://www.fathomevents.com/event/the-met-live-in-hd-2015-16-season/more-info/the-met-live-in-hd

There is an encore tomorrow night of Les Pêcheurs de Perles that was live at the Met last Sunday. The previews looked amazing.

 

[pointless]

fuck it.

alabama song.

 

[trysail]

I've listened to the Met Opera radio broadcasts my whole life— to the point where I actually prefer listening to performances. I like the music.


I concur with the opinion that reading a synopsis of an unfamiliar opera is a huge help in enjoying the work. I'm a bit surprised you're not acquainted with Manon Lescaut.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manon_Lescaut_(Puccini)







​

 

[La damnee elle la licorne]

 

[oggbashan]

Read this:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manon_Lescaut_(Puccini)

The Met Opera's live transmissions aren't as easy to watch as those from the Royal Opera.

Why?

Because during at least one interval the Met show their vastly overmanned back stage crew doing not very much.

They do have subtitles, and talks about the opera and the performers that explain some of the actions and conventions - as do the Royal Opera.

Manon Lescaut wouldn't be my choice for a first time opera watcher but you should enjoy it.

I would suggest going to see a Mozart, Rossini, or Donizetti opera for a first time, but Puccini is reasonable.

Going to see a transmission of opera (or ballet) in a local movie multiplex is much cheaper and more accessible than going to a live performance. Usually it is slightly more expensive than a standard movie, but nothing like the very expensive (and uncomfortable) seats in an opera house. You get a better view than anyone in the most expensive seats at the opera house, with close-ups, and better sound values.

 

[JanneE]

Donizetti she likes.

 

[La damnee elle la licorne]

 

[oggbashan]

In uk, if you are near London, I am not sure it is cheaper. Do they still issue accessible cheap tickets they introduced so e years ago? If I recall one of the things my friends and I were thrilled about was that they were cheaper than cinemas in London.

The view from the cheap seats at the Royal Opera just doesn't compare with the view you get in a transmission to a cinema. But you do get the real experience.

Back in the 1960s I belonged to a music club that used to block book seats on unpopular nights. Sometimes I'd get a phone call saying they had spare seats tonight. I had to find someone to go with, and I took a number of young ladies who had never been to Opera or Ballet.

The sales of Samson and Delilah at Sadlers Wells were poor. I went to four performances in a week, taking a different young lady each time.

The block booking was for the first two rows which at that time were really too close to the action and were looking UP at the stage.

On the third visit, during the Bacchanale, which was very erotic - it was the 1960s - one of the men simulating sex a few feet in front of us said to me in a stage whisper "Who are you bringing tomorrow night?". The lady I was escorting was very amused. She hadn't expected an opera to include involving the audience.

 

[gypsyTX]

My mom bought season tickets every year when I was a kid. I loved it. We always read the synopsis and looked at some of the songs ahead of time. Thankfully there were no subtitles at the Opera back then. I imagine that would be rather distracting.

Sadly, I have only been able to see performances on the screen since we moved here, still, they're worth it. Some of them are really well done, and the price is just a fraction of the real thing.

 

[JanneE]

Aah! She surprised me with tickets and now we and a guest are going to the one tomorrow! I'm not prepared!

 

[Vagina_Dentata]

I like The Survival Of St. Joan.

 

[Sean]

There's only one cinema within about a hundred miles of me that does the streaming thing, and it sells out in minutes when the tickets go on sale.

 

[Aella_]

Well, I wasn't expecting to see Sean's name in this thread.

 

[Aphro]

Aah! She surprised me with tickets and now we and a guest are going to the one tomorrow! I'm not prepared!

Have fun! Report back after you've been.

 

[ishtat]

The best opera to see first is Carmen because all the best songs are in the first act. Stay in the bar after the interval the rest isn't worth bothering with.

In truth most opera, particularly Wagner, bores me witless. The lighter stuff is ok.

 

[Aella_]

Am I the only one who hates and gets bored by sitting in a chair for 2 hours & watching Opera ?
Ballet - an entirely different story.
(not intended as trolling)