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Writing about a play/opera within a short story
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Emma
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Jan 03, 2014 05:04PM
I was writing a short story, and two of the characters are at a New Year's Gala at the Metropolitan Opera House in NYC. Since I love this opera that I put them at, I could write out every line that the singers are singing on stage, but I don't want to do that. How do I convey the plot of the opera without writing every line and skipping most of the dialogue? And it's not intended for readers who are operavores too (not necessarily, I mean). What should I do?
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Hmm... Emma, you are my kindred spirit. Eventually I had to tell my characters they were not permitted to attend "The Barber of Seville" because they were boring readers with the plot description... Anyways, try picking your favorite moments from the opera and incorporating those only. Between them, you can use filler like "I was swept up in the music." Not the best example, but you get my point, right?
Also, if one character is also in love with this opera, then you can give subtle hints like "'Here it comes. Here it comes. Rosaline, hurry into your singing lesson, it's the love of your life! He just wants to see you!' I was so excited that I realized I might be saying all of this out loud, so I took a quick glance at the spectators around me. No angry glares. Thank goodness..."
See how I highlighted a moment but (hopefully) kept it from being a plot summary? That could work. :)
Thank you!!My character bought a box for a gala but doesn't have a date. So he finds this random girl in a park across the street from Lincoln Center (it's called Dante Park, and it's a real place, apparently!) and finds this girl, sitting around, reading The Divine Comedy... so he takes her.
I was bored. And on a Die Fledermaus kick. I can't stop listening to this... http://youtu.be/UzrJbWLhyX0 (I love Alfred dancing in the window)
Thank you again!
Okay, that sounds cool. I wish someone would pay for my opera tixkets, gosh... :) Glad I could help. :)
Just saying - I could never go to a gala at the Met (or at any other big opera house - I'd have to pay for airfare too!). Never. Too expensive. $1000 for one mediocre seat!
Yeah, I know what you mean. I live in the south and there's just no way. :) But sometimes my dad can get us tickets to local productions. We don't get wonderful seats, but I can live with that. :)
YouTube is always available! (that's what I usually use :D)
....but these characters have never been to said opera.
Hmmm... Then I'm not sure. Maybe take what I said and reverse it? So instead of them anticipating the part where the count in disguise finally gets inside the house (for example), once it happens, your character can think, "Of course! He disguised himself as her music teacher! How did I not see that coming?" or something like that... I'm not sure...
