A night at the Opera
Feb. 6th, 2011 11:59 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
frualeydisYesterday I somewhat unexpectedly got a ticket for the opening night of Händel's opera Alcina at the Gothenburg Opera House. It was unexpected because, while I had said "yes" when the father of one of Maja's friends asked if I wanted to see it neither of us was sure of when the premiere was and bisedes we ahd been tlaking about a ticket for the final repetition, not for the premiere.
I love Händel, I maybe even love Händel more than I love Bach (which probably makes me crazy in most people's eyes, at least in my husband's), but I've never been that keen on opera, probably because I'm not that keen on 19th century music. But this is baroque so of course it was going to be wonderful.
I had no idea what to wear since the only time I've been to the opera before was at the final repetition of Tristan and Isolde a couple of year's ago and then I've been to see the musical Mary Poppins with Maja two years ago, but that's not the same. After some angsting and advice from friends I decided to wear my green evening gown that I made for New Year's. It turned out that the mother of Maja's friend and I were the only women in long dresses (and we promptly got photographed by one of the swedish gossip magazines, which was a weird but fun thing) and that there were people there in jeans and t-shirts too. I think it's great that people feel comfortable with classical music, but I also think that since it is the opening night for the musicians and singers it doesn't hurt to make an effort, just to show them respect.
Anyway, this is how I looked, except that I also had a grey silk scarf with painted flowers to protect my neck from draught, if there had been any .
The music was wonderful (of course), the singers were excellent and you could easily follow the story even if you had no idea about it from the beginning. The scene design was rather boring and felt misplaced (grey, compact fluorescent lights, white fabric blinds in white windows on an enchanted island?) but you got used to it and the women's costumes were lovely. I hope I can find a photo of one of the gowns Alcina wears in the third act, because it is to die for. Morgana had a lovely 1940s inspired dress too.
I love Händel, I maybe even love Händel more than I love Bach (which probably makes me crazy in most people's eyes, at least in my husband's), but I've never been that keen on opera, probably because I'm not that keen on 19th century music. But this is baroque so of course it was going to be wonderful.
I had no idea what to wear since the only time I've been to the opera before was at the final repetition of Tristan and Isolde a couple of year's ago and then I've been to see the musical Mary Poppins with Maja two years ago, but that's not the same. After some angsting and advice from friends I decided to wear my green evening gown that I made for New Year's. It turned out that the mother of Maja's friend and I were the only women in long dresses (and we promptly got photographed by one of the swedish gossip magazines, which was a weird but fun thing) and that there were people there in jeans and t-shirts too. I think it's great that people feel comfortable with classical music, but I also think that since it is the opening night for the musicians and singers it doesn't hurt to make an effort, just to show them respect.
Anyway, this is how I looked, except that I also had a grey silk scarf with painted flowers to protect my neck from draught, if there had been any .
The music was wonderful (of course), the singers were excellent and you could easily follow the story even if you had no idea about it from the beginning. The scene design was rather boring and felt misplaced (grey, compact fluorescent lights, white fabric blinds in white windows on an enchanted island?) but you got used to it and the women's costumes were lovely. I hope I can find a photo of one of the gowns Alcina wears in the third act, because it is to die for. Morgana had a lovely 1940s inspired dress too.
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Date: 2011-02-06 12:26 pm (UTC)And I am very jealous of you having seen Swedish "Mary Poppins". Saw it in Copenhagen last year, and although I found it a wildly uneven and too long musical, it's also one of the more interesting ones I've seen in recent times. That one, and "Next to Normal". If the latter comes to a theatre near you, beg steal or borrow to get tickets.
I know too little of Händel to join in the Back/Händel debate... But I'll have that in mind next time I listen to either of them.
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Date: 2011-02-06 06:34 pm (UTC)I adore opera! How lucky of you to get to go to the opening night! Handel is also a huge favorite...but for most operas, I prefer the Italian masters, the best.
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Date: 2011-02-06 06:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-02-06 08:14 pm (UTC)And regarding the paparazzi's: you're a famous historian you know! ;)
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Date: 2011-02-06 08:24 pm (UTC)