The first thing I noticed when I came to this opera was the extravagant details that went into constructing the building. As you enter, you are met with long, winding red carpet, sparkling Swarovski chandeliers, and golden beams spilling from the lights above. This adds to the high class atmosphere that ultimately affects the performance we saw that day, Tosca.

A part of this performance that really caught my attention was the audience. The culture there was much different from the rambunctious, bustling atmosphere in the city outside. Instead, the viewers were highly respectful, clapping only when the singing fully stopped, and almost deathly quiet. I saw no one get up in the middle of the performance. I saw not one phone glaring in the darkness during the performance. I saw the people around me intensely focused on either the performance or the subtitles. I remember when an audience member was talking in whispers, other people hushed them, which demonstrated how much respect the audience had for the performers.

As my first opera, another eye-catching part of the performance itself was the raw emotions of all the characters, especially Tosca. In the beginning of the performance, I first thought that Tosca was too over-dramatic, too impulsive, and too suspecting towards her lover. But that was what made Tosca human; she genuinely loved Cavaradossi, and that love was shown through her actions. She chased after Cavaradossi after hearing his possible affair with another because she really did love him, and her singing emphasized that. Her voice expressed sorrowful and heart wrenching feelings towards the news. Despite me not knowing the language, I feel like I would still understand the gist of the plot even without subtitles because of these emotions.

Although I usually do not watch dramas and shows like this, I still greatly enjoyed this show. If I ever have the chance to go again, I will gladly go!