Operas at your local cineplex

[Elaine]

The Metropolitan Opera presents 9 live performances of opera via live HD satellite to cinemas around the world. Even a self-proclaimed clod like my husband just loves them. Because they use cameras as one would in film, these performances are virtually a new art form combining cinematic techniques with live performance, and one ends up analyzing not only the operatic performances, the orchestral renditions, but, as with movies, the camera work, mis en scene, etc.

Also, there loads of opera on DVD and blu ray, and you can compare the Metlive performances and productions with other ones. For instance, after watching the controversial Tosca that opened the season (t was booed at the Met), we watched the benchmark Zeffirili production on DVD. Anybody else out there interested in discussing either or both the Metlive and the recorded operas?

[Phillip]

that's nice and all, but i have a good friend that works at sf opera that gives me free tickets whenever something plays that interests me. i have seen several operas on film, shostakovich's lady macbeth of mtensk district and bergman's magic flute are my faves, but as a musician i prefer to hear performances in person, hear how the orchestra and the singers actually sound in the room.

when i was living in russia, it was only $3 to go to the opera or ballet, so i went a lot. to be honest i would prefer state funded arts that make opera affordable (not an elitist activity). the quality of the work in saint petersburg was among the highest i've ever experienced.

[Tom]

You long haired commie freak, you.

[Phillip]

that's me!

[Elaine]

You're lucky you have the option of going to the sf opera for nothing. For us to go to the Met in New York, not only are the tickets very expensive, but so are the hotels. The local opera groups aren't that good. i love the sf opera, but I like to see different productions and hear different singers doing the same opera. Even if I've seen Lucia at the Met, I want to see it as produced in Covent Garden (if it's available), so I feel that the blu ray & dvd options are viable. For us in the hinterlands, the MetLive has been a boon, and, as I said, it's not the same experience as opera in an opera house. It has become a cinematic form, so I see no conflict between the satellite presentations and live opera. Even LaScala is doing satellite productions and I believe the sf opera did one last season.

[Phillip]

yeah, more and more operas are doing it. i have a bad feeling though, as classical music organizations are having a harder time making ends meet that someday in the near future this televised programmng will be the only option.

i also check out opera in other cities when i'm on the road. a few summers ago i saw peter sellars' production of the tristan project in los angeles, pelleas and melissandre in paris, wozzeck in berlin, etc. as i said, for me it's all about the experience of being in the room with the musicians...that's really important to me. i have a feeling that as this century progresses, live performance will be more and more scarce.

[Anna]

In Cracow in summer Kiev cinema (kino Kijów) was transmitting the operas from Metropolitan Opera. There was La Bohème, Lucia di Lammermoor and The Barber of Seville. And in March there was Madame Butterfly.

[Becky]

I feel privlaged as I have season tkts to the Seattle Opera, they are the nose bleed seats but hey, there is nothing like live theater. A freind of mine is studing music at the UW and always goes the movie broadcasts says they are great, I just have a hard time taking that first step when I still can see it live. It is an art form that compares to nothing!

[Phillip]

that's what i'm talkin' about!
:)

[Anna]

Maybe one day I will go to Cracow's Opera. Now I'm little to busy.

[Rachel]

i have season tickets to opera carolina in charlotte, north carolina and i have been amazed by the quality of the productions. they did "turandot" this last season and it was GORGEOUS! the tenor who sang prince calaf had one of the most beautiful voices i have ever heard. in fact, i preferred his "nessun dorma" over pavarotti's.

i was excited to hear about the met operas last year and saw "la cenerentola." it wasn't my favorite opera, but i very much liked the experience of being able to see a met performance. i especially appreciated the backstage views and performer interviews - very cool.

anywho, i would encourage anyone to check out their local opera - big city or small town. you might be surprised by the talent you find. the first opera i went to was in binghamton, ny; they performed "pagliacci" and "sour angelica." they had brought in two performers from other cities and that small town experience made me instantly fall in love with opera. now, i saw two or three other operas there that were...well...not great. but you never know, it's worth a try!