The Opera.
One of those things I have always fancied saying I’m into but secretly would endure having to watch.
But, what is one actually like? I got Giacomo Puccini to help me out.
It was a message from an old uni friend, Maya, that prompted me to get booking this one. She’d been having a read of my blog and was loving what was going on. She particularly was interested in helping me through the operatic side of things.
I began exploring what was going down. I fancied going to somewhere classy right. So, got myself off to the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. Some real interesting productions going on. Some less awesome prices as well though…
And then, I looked at the English National Opera website. La Boheme opening on the penultimate night of 61things? £19 a ticket in the Gods? Sorted.
After work I met up with Maya for tacos and Margaritas as pre-show alimentation. And very nice it was too. Cannot remember the name of the place but I know where it is at least for memory.
And then there was time for a quick bevy at the Chandos before greeting Rich and Gabby outside the bustling London Coliseum. As you can see from above, it’s a pretty typical West End of London fair to it and I’m sure the place has far more history to it than I could appreciate.
The thing that gets me with these places is that they don’t look too big from the stone and light bulb façades of the pavement. But as we ascended the endless steps up to the Balcony, I soon realised that this place was going to be quite a sight.
And it didn’t let down. Glistening décor purple and golden curtain, hardly any leg room due to the steepness of the tier. There were even golden statues to ensure that I wasn’t the sole object of masculinity in the theatre.
I wasn’t expecting the scrolling marquee in the middle of this historic arts arena. But it made sense; considering this was going to be in French or Italian or something incomprehensible.
As the curtain lifted, I was confirmed that my language assumptions were completely wrong. It was a translation, and a very modern one at that.
I came to the opera expecting Pavarotti or GoCompare. Instead, I get guys singing about being ‘on the razzle’ and ‘sexy little red heads’. Rightyho.
But, the performance was actually terrific. The set design was amazingly detailed and cleverly recreated different environs of Paris. The Ensemble played a fantastic role but I must admit that with so many on stage I completely deviated from concentrating on the story line. And, so emotionally powerful, it made Maya cry.
Regardless of whether you are going because you want to look sophisticated or not, I can guarantee that this opera will entertain you.
The only tiresome part was the clapping at the end, but this is usually a good sign.
