Klick-klack…frick-frack! reverberated through my mind on my way home from The Metropolitan Opera. As my first-time ever viewing an opera, I was a bit nervous about what to expect. I felt like I wouldn’t belong because I wasn’t as rich and royal as those who go to the opera often. I expected a lot of dramatic old women carrying Chanel handbags and old men with top hats and Armani suits, and even though there were a few, the majority of the people there were ordinary people, like you and I. I’d have to say that my favorite part about the opera was just looking at everyone around me. I noticed a couple who was there on a date, and it seemed as if we were the only college students there–yay for Macaulay!
On my way out of the subway at 7:30 pm, I struggled to find Columbus Avenue, so I decided to follow the well-dressed people, assuming that they were headed in the same direction as me. When I got there, I saw a huge bright, white building with lights everywhere and a lovely fountain in the middle. I’ve always been a sucker for pretty fountains so I stopped for a moment and made sure to take a picture of the amazing landscape. Once we all entered the opera, I couldn’t help but notice the huge gold curtain which was draped beautifully and every time it opened, I couldn’t help but think how cool it would be to have curtains like those in my house.
Before the opera began, we were given playbills that contained some really cool stuff like ads, upcoming events at the Met, and synopses of the acts, as well as those who donated to the opera and the actors. At first, I wanted to read the synopses of the acts so that I would have an idea about what exactly was happening before I watched the opera, but I changed my mind because I wanted to see how well I would actually understand what was going on, given that there would be subtitles.
As I sat there watching the performance of Contes D’Hoffman, I found myself lost in the spectacular scenery, catchy songs, and intricate costumes that the subtitles were, for me, a plus. I’m used to watching Bollywood films with subtitles so, it just felt normal for me. The only thing I was really worried about was how I was going to stay away for three hours and forty minutes since I had been at school all day from 8:00 am. Luckily, the opera was so amazing that I didn’t put my head down once, for fear on missing out on something great.
My favorite scene was definitely the prologue and act one because of all of the dancing, and the Kleinzach routine. Olympia’s costume and the other robots’ costumes were gorgeous, innocent, and really added to the quirkiness of this act and their “father,” the scientist. It almost felt like I was watching a scene from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate factory because of the long swirly pole on stage along with the lights and colors. I thought this act was the most fun because it made the audience laugh at the Kleinzach routine, and Olympia’s singing every time her “battery” ran out and she needed to be tuned up again. It was also entertaining because of the ballet dancing which was exceptional. I also like the umbrellas with the eyes on it because they were really cute and they added to the funny nature of this act.
Overall, my favorite actress was Hoffman’s second love, Antonia, because her voice was beyond amazing. I didn’t even know a sound like that could come out of a human being. Her voice was flawless and she controlled it very well. I didn’t mind that Antonia did a lot of the so-called “park and bark” because her voice was so astonishing that I just wanted to focus on that alone.
Hoffman also did a great job at his part in the opera and I was amazed that he was able to sing for so long with a short amount of breaks, so kudos to him for that. Overall, the costumes were very fitting for this particular show. Antonia’s dress was beautiful and flowing, which showed the looseness of her voice. Giuletta’s dress was very form-fitting to show off her figure which also went very well with the character she was trying to play.
After the opera was over, I was so surprised at the time, 11:40 pm! Even though the train ride home for me consisted of construction, a shuttle bus, and two hours of commuting, the opera was totally worth it. I would definitely go back to see another opera, whether Macaulay funds it or not because I have to admit, that I liked it more than the Little Foxes we saw a few weeks ago. I think that if young people my age had the chance to experience opera, it would be appealing to them, but since operas are so expensive, it’s hard for schools to fund them. We all thought that operas are snoozefests but now our minds have been changed and we can’t wait to go again. However next time, I want to be just as dressed up as the older folk sitting in the front row–gown, binoculars, high-heels, and all!
Wow, sounds like an awesome experience. I have never seen an opera and it seems to be very interesting. I must include it in my to-do list, and see one soon.