I have been to operas, at Lincoln Center, in the past with my family when I was younger but I don’t recall what I saw. When my 9-year-old body sat down on the seat, I was out like a light. But, it may have been the best sleep I have ever had. Everyone around me was in silence, and I was able to hear the fading plucks of the violins and the pitter-patter of the snare drums. I remember that during intermissions there would be cute pastries in the lobby. I don’t think my parents ever bought me them, however, due to their absurd prices. I vowed to myself that I would not sleep this time around while watching La Boheme. Although it was an arduous task, I stayed true to my promise.

The reason why it was difficult to stay fully awake was due to the seating we got. On row F, it was difficult to see the actors on stage. This made it hard to understand who was saying what, and what they were acting out. It was easier to see the orchestra than the actors acting. Even from afar, however, I loved how the stage changed after every act. The stage was colorful or dreary when it needed to be, and it was able to encompass the emotions of the actors on stage. I also loved how well the orchestra performed their pieces. The orchestra implemented dynamic and rhythm changes throughout the acts, which definitely kept me awake. I made sure to hear the leitmotif of Mimi whenever she entered the stage, and it was beautiful to hear the recurring melody. Aside from the descriptive elements of the opera, the play itself was heart-wrenching and sad. It depicted the tragic love story of Mimi and Rodolfo, living in Paris. They combatted emotions of love with one each other and deal with separation. I found it relatable in the sense that you don’t understand how much something/someone means to you until its gone. When Mimi left Rodolfo, he yearned to have her back. On the same note, when my friends and other loved ones have moved away, I understood how truly significant they are in my life. This opera also dealt with the theme of impermanence that has been demonstrated in a myriad of ways in the art we viewed this semester. Nothing lasts forever, not even love. By the end of the opera, when Mimi died, I think Rodolfo was able to grasp that although his love for Mimi was great, it simply could not last due to her ailments. That’s why he wished to relive his younger, more innocent days when his love was pure and without commitment. I cried during this play mainly due to the sentimentality of the dialogue. The subtitles alone read like poetry. Mimi’s line, “I wish that winter would last forever” got to me.

During intermissions, I sauntered around the lobby observing the crowd around me. Women were draped in fashionable dresses and men in well-fitted suits. Opera is inherently directed towards the wealthy and the elite. A cynical side of me believes the people that were surrounding me don’t enjoy operas. They were just there to show flaunt their wealth and “knowledge” of the arts. Yet, a part of me also wants to be privy to their conversations and lifestyles one day. I want to have box seats at Lincoln Center to engage closer to the opera. I would like to sip  Merlot, without hesitation, during the intermissions and feel like I am part of something special or elite…