Dec 19 2012
Carmen Extra Credit
I enjoyed the Opera version a lot better because you could actually visualize whats going on in the play, and you could hear professional Opera music that sounded beautiful. Eventhough my class mates did a wonderful job of performing the play, I enjoyed sitting in the Opera and enjoying the experience that comes with it. Reading the libretto version of Carmen in class helped me understand the Opera version though. I was glad that we discussed and read Carmen, or I would have not been able to understand the performance to its full potential.
When I was at the Opera, I didn’t realize so many people would be on stage and that the actors could project their entire voice so well throughout the building. I think the building was built in a special way inorder to carry the sound throughout the building so it could bless everyone’s ears.
But besides the expensive refreshments, the Opera version was more tailored to experience the authenticity of the play than the libretto version of Carmen. The reason for this is you could actually see the actors pouring their soul into singing and acting. While in the libretto version, you could just hear your classmate’s voices, and you could not hear the passionate beautiful singing. A part of the experience was sitting in the chairs and playing with the onscreen translator. Its hard to experience the Opera without sitting in the chairs, seeing the stage, and mingling with fellow Opera patrons. The difference between reading the libretto in class and viewing in in the Opera house is sort of like the difference between watching a movie at home and watching it in the movie theater. You are missing out on the experience and ambiance of your surrounding.
The plot was basically the same between the two. There were four acts, the characters names were the same, and Carmen dies at the end. But something that the libretto was missing is that you could actually visualize what was going on and have the Opera music to accompany it. It was tragic that Carmen lead two different men on, but she was ultimately killed by her lover Don Jose for her deed.
I wholeheartedly enjoyed the Opera and I thought it was an amazing experience that everyone should enjoy at least once. I am glad I went in my Politics of Art & Authenticity class because I would have probably never went if it wasn’t for this class. I plan on going to the Opera in the future to indulge in this truly amazing experience.
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