The Politics of Art & Authenticity

The libretto version of Carmen shared several similarities and a couple differences with the Opera version. A major difference between the two versions is that the Opera version was composed by Georges Bizet, while the libretto version was written by Burton D. Fisher and translated by Giacomo Puccini.

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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As everyone knows, I am new to the city… Like many of my classmates, it was my first time at the opera. Honestly, it wasn’t something that I was looking forward to. What is the point if I can’t understand what the actors are saying?

I had an idea of what to expect. It is after, all the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. I knew that people would be dressed up. And I kind of went against dressing up. I guess I’m a rebel.  I showed up, with two minutes to spare.  I didn’t have time to really admire the fountain or the outside of the building

When I got inside, a man just scanned  my ticket and told me that it was five floors up… Agh. I hate stairs. When I got up the five flights of stairs, it was aother five minutes before I was seated. Overall, the whole experience getting there wasn’t pleasant at all.

Now, on to the actual story. Since we read parts of the opera in class I had an idea of what to expect.  Carmen, a heartbreaker is the protagonist of the story.  And the overall plot is somewhat of a Shakespearean play. The drama is all there, and in the end we come to the realization that Carmen is a bloody free spirit who cannot commit to one man and loves to whore around. When you take a ring from a man, you honor that commitment—not throw the ring in his face after he’s forgiven you and has asked you to spend your miserable life with him.   Yet, all of this would be enthralling if you didn’t have to crane your neck to figure out who Carmen is.

The one thing I actually enjoyed was the set design. The revolving set that opened to reveal a castle and whatnot was very well done. Since it was so big, I actually could see it without trying to crane my neck and squint my eyes.

In general, the opera wasn’t something that I enjoyed. It was one of those events that I would rather not attend again. As cultured as I can be, it is something that I didn’t particularly didn’t find enriching or even worthwhile at all.

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When I was reading the voice of Carmen in class, I tried to imagine the emotion she would have beneath her words but it was extremely hard to visualize. The story starts quickly, jumping into the life of Carmen with no warning, no nothing, and suddenly all men were entranced by this woman. I could not help but chuckle at the cheesiness and ridiculousness of it.

http://app1.kuhf.org/articles/1346436764-Opera-Cheat-Sheet-Carmen.html

Hearing the words sang, especially in French, was an entirely different story. It felt richer, deeper, more layered… and it just made more sense. The plot is not as simple and one sided as I first believed. There was more conflict and social commentary involved than just a troubled romance. Though I did not like her character, I liked how complex Carmen turned out to be.

It was my first time in an Opera house and I could not have attended a better production to see first. I enjoyed myself very much. Granted that I almost dozed at a few points (Don Jose’s voice was just so soothing!), I watched and listened in awe at the strong lungs of all the performers on stage. I remember thinking that if I had to compete with any of them, even one of the children, in one of those games where you hold out a word as long as you possibly can, I would not stand a chance.

Carmen was a wonderful and worthwhile performance. I plan on walking up those red steps and seeing more operas in the future. Maybe I would be able to make my way one floor down at a time until I can sit and see the actual faces of the actors and actresses.

I also applaud all the other workers who put time and sweat into this production. I was truly impressed.

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It was my first time seeing an opera. I had these grand expectations of everything in the theatre would fancy. I pictured fancy people with their fancy suits and dresses carrying around their binoculars walking around Lincoln Center trying to get to their seats. I had this stereotype of only the rich seeing the opera. There were these grand set of sets covered in red carpet and had gold railings. I was actually excited to be a part of this.

I am so lucky that in class we got to review what was going on in the play. The subtitles in front of the seat were very distracting. I wanted to be able to see the opera and yet understand it. It was unfortunate that the bar that had the screens of the subtitles was blocking my way of viewing the opera. So I had to strain my neck to see it. #short people problems

I loved the orchestra. The music was so lively and entertaining. It is also amazing how people were able to project their voice and still be heard from all the way in the highest row of this giant theatre. I actually loved the high pitched sounds of the children in the opera. My only critic would be the costumes. I wish leads of the play had more eye popping colors that would make them stick out like a sore thumb.

This was an unforgettable experience and I would love to see another opera.

Overall, the opera was pretty cool. It was my first time at an opera, and I didn’t really know what to expect. I knew that everyone in our class was dressing up, so I thought it would be really fancy. Which it was. But I thought it would be a lot of old people wearing glasses and monocles. I thought it would be in black and white. It wasn’t.

I liked reading the opera in class first. I thought it was funny and cute how we read it in class, and it was nothing like the actual opera. When we first got there, I was just astounded. I knew it would be fancy, but I didn’t know how fancy. The decor certainly created the atmosphere. I thought the fountain at first was glamorous, and the inside just blew me away. I kind of felt like I was walking in a movie set.

I’ve heard people say that in operas, it doesn’t matter what language they sing in, because they’re just so talented. I never understood that. Of course if it wasn’t in English it wasn’t going to make any sense for me, right? Wrong. I followed the story based on the rich emotion and character behind the voices. That is truly a universal language.

Credit to New York Times: http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2010/01/01/arts/carmen-2-ready/articleLarge.jpg

I never thought I would see an opera, yet alone the great Carmen, and at the MetOpera. But I certainly was not counting on the amazing stage work and scenery that immersed me in this strange spanish love story. Although the acoustics gave me a slight headache and the seats weren’t as comfortable as I would have hoped, the music and singing was truly breathtaking. The orchestra was perfect in every way and the actors/singers/performers (whatever you call them), did an amazing job in every aspect of their performances. If there was anything I would say I didn’t like, it would the lengthy, drawn-out musical numbers of the first two acts. I appreciated the action and emotion of the last two acts much more. I definitely think it’s because I haven’t experienced an opera yet and the length of such an epic performance got to me. I would definitely go back to the opera, in better seats of course. And the food and drinks there were completely overpriced. Really? Twelve dollars for a small sandwich? Six bucks for a little cup of soda? You already made a huge amount of money from ticket sales, I don’t think you need to be selling food worth more than my seat. The opera is something that everyone should experience once in their lives, and hopefully a few times more.

I was torn about last night’s excursion to the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center. For one, I should be ecstatic and grateful that I was going to be able to experience part of a rich theatrical culture  that most people never experience – and in such a beautiful place as the MET. But then I thought: “Wonderful. Four hours up in the severe nosebleed seats to listen to a story that I find both flat and irritating. I just want to be home so I can sleep.” Yes, I knew I should be excited for the show, and I mean really, the fact that this is an arts event should have been enough motivation. It was, and I’m very glad I didn’t let my typical college kid craving for sleep get in the way of a wonderful evening. I credit Porgy & Bess with my decision to go into the evening with a positive attitude – because after you’ve watched Audra McDonald and Norm Lewis in a Broadway adaptation of the original opera, you tend to think positively about operas.

Okay, seriously. We could have gotten to the stabbing two acts ago.

I should probably explain that part about Carmen having a “flat and irritating story…” When I read through the libretto, and found that the general plot could be condensed to maybe a few pages of dialogue, I felt it was bad storytelling. Add in all that unnecessary repetition, and even now I cannot say that Carmen is a good opera in terms of plot and dialogue. (We get it Carmen, if you love us, we better watch out.) The experience of going to the opera made me realize something, however, opera is meant to be heard, not read. The opera is about masterful melodies and amazing arias, and coupled with some of the most intricate set and costume designs I’ve ever seen on a stage, this boring story transformed into something that let me starstruck.

I appreciate the opera, and while it won’t probably ever be something I over-excitedly insist I need to go see again, I’m not exactly going to turn down the opportunity. Even the seats were pretty good… if you don’t mind spending fifteen minutes trying to figure out which one was Carmen.

Photo Credit

I gently strolled to the Metropolitan Opera building and was completely blown away by the architecture of the building. The interior of the building was even more mind blowing and reminded me of the showroom in the Wynn Casino. The water show outside of the Opera made me homesick because it reminded me of the water show at the Bellagio in Las Vegas.

This was my first Opera and I actually learned a lot from this experience. At first I thought an Opera was just a play with just a little singing in it, but I was shocked to learn that an Opera was mainly singing. I also thought that Carmen would be performed in English, but it was performed in its original language French.

At first I was under the impression that I wouldn’t be able to see the performance, but I could see everything perfectly. Surprisingly, I knew most of the Opera songs by heart. This is probably due in part to these songs being implemented into our popular culture through movies and television.  I enjoyed the music and was impressed that the performers could have their voices carry through the entire building. The reading of Carmen in class enhanced my understanding of the play and made it easier to follow. The dancing was beautifully performed and I was blown away by the costumes. Don Jose and Carmen did an amazing job and I was impressed by the palpable emotions in the final act. I plan on visiting more Operas in the future due to this truly amazing experience!

Image Source: http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2007/09/24/arts/20070925_METGALA_SLIDESHOW_index.html

It was everything I expected; big voices, strong emotion, and an exciting ending. As I waited for Carmen to begin I studied the impressive architecture of the Met; its beautiful ceilings and brilliant chandeliers. Then as the opera began I saw that the performers on stage were even more magnificent than the venue. The vocals from Carmen were beautiful and Don Jose delivered a powerful performance as he professed his love for Carmen. The singing was so emotionally charged that it truly created a thorough description of the feelings each character had at the time. Carmen sang with such passion in Act I as she attempted to earn the love of Don Jose and when Carmen wanted to leave Don Jose in Act IV, he sang with such pain and sadness in his voice. This emotion is something that is unmatched by most other performing mediums I have encountered. My first time at the opera is something I’ll never forget. The opera resonated with me in such a big way that I fully intend to explore it further and see another show in the near future.

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Any place that encourages dressing up, is a place for me. The Met itself is beautiful. The chandeliers, the steps, elevators, everything about the building was incredible. For a few hours I felt like I had a six-digit bank account as opposed to the sad reality of what a college student’s bank account actually looks like.

Since the actors and opera singers knew what they were doing (unlike we did in class) it was more interesting, funny, and sad to watch the production come to life through their portrayal. It was obvious that sometimes things got lost in translation by the awkward way in which they were translated. That is something expected and inevitable but I still felt informed and that I knew what was happening.

Sometimes trying to read the subtitles and watch the production was distracting because it seemed impossible to take in the experience completely without missing something. Just sitting back, listening and watching was relaxing enough. Reading the libretto came in handy in these moments because even though I didn’t understand what they were saying, I had a general idea of the plot surrounding the scene performed.

Even though I was literally broke last night, it was nice to feel like royalty for a little while. My first time at the Met is an experience I’ll never forget.