Monday night was definitely an unforgettable experience to me as it was my first time to attend an opera in New York City. Until this moment, the details of the show can still appear before my eyes, the combination of the fantastic stage setting, the exquisite musical band and most importantly, the talented performers made the show spectacularly impressive and I believe it left such feelings not only to me but also to many others as well.

Entering the auditorium, my eyes were immediately caught by the chandeliers hung on the center of the ceiling, the elegant rising of which initiated the onset of the show. After a brief introduction by a host, the musicians entered the stage. If there was one thing that diminished the enjoyable experience of the opera, it was because our seats were too far back from the stage. I could barely see the band unless leaning forward, it was also hard to see the performer’s face from the seat so far away back. Besides the issue with seating, the show was perfect as the way it was.

As it was my first time to attend an opera singing in foreign language, I found it difficult in the beginning to follow the libretto while watching the performance on stage, but I soon adjusted to it. Despite having a little knowledge regarding the feature of opera, I was still immensely impressed by the incredible skills of all the performers, who were able to manipulate their voices so skillfully that they could sing so beautifully and smoothly at such a high pitch throughout the show. Especially the singer who played Mimi, I genuinely admired her expertise in opera. During the last scene when she was lying on the bed, she was still capable of singing incredibly strong and clear when many of us would find it hard to even sing smoothly with normal voice while lying down.

 

Another feature that I considered remarkably impressive was the change of the stage setting. It was incredibly imposing when the entire structure of the setting changed from a wooden loft into a noise market within merely ten to fifteen minutes. The double-floor market was even sustainable to allow a parade to pass through. All the dazzling array of beautiful exhibits communicated the features of Italian culture. Besides, what I found quite adorable was when a group of kids entered the stage in chasing for a toy car, it was at this moment when I truly appreciated the efforts that the entire opera team has devoted to the planning and organization of the show to make everything so aptly and elegantly progressed. The opera was indeed unforgettable to me and I am grateful to Macaulay for providing us this special opportunity to experience La Boheme.