Categories: opera
Date: 28 March 2006 04:25:10
Thank you all again for your comments, wishes and prayers. Very much appreciated.
Last Monday I went with two friends to see Opera Australia's production of Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) at the Sydney Opera House. If you haven't been to the Opera House, while it is a stunning building from the outside, the inside doesn't quite match the outside -- concrete, concrete and more concrete. Grey concrete. Though given it cost around $102 million to build, after an initial estimate of $7 million, I'm guessing not a lot of money was left over for internal furnishings. This was my first time in the Opera Hall: I've been in the Concert Hall and the Playhouse before, however.
The performance: WOW! And WOW! again. It was absolutely spectacular and wondrous. I know practically nothing about musical terms, let alone opera ones, so I can't give detailed information: all I can say is it was a very enjoyable performance. As we commented afterwards, we thought we'd enjoy it, but we didn't realise how much we would actually enjoy it.
From the wonderful scenery [vines and trees in Act I] to the beautiful music to the delightful singing to the moving words, it was all just so sublime. The story, on the prince Tamino on his quest for love and truth, and the challenges and dangers that he encounters on the way, was engaging and captivating: the time flew by as the performers sang, spoke and danced their way through the opera.
I did wonder how I would cope with all the singing and such, but I needn't have worried: I loved it. I thought it may be intrusive or drawn out, but it fitted in perfectly and, with the musical accompaniment, swept me along for the ride. I know I tend to overuse this word, but it was wondrous: a very, very pleasant way to spend an evening.
At $125 a pop, I'm not sure I'll be going again too soon, but it was great to experience something I had not experienced before.