The Opera!

I’m converted!  Not religiously, but artistically- I’ve become a fan of the opera.  Going in, I had an open mind, but still certain expectations.  I thought I would “appreciate” the opera, perhaps be able to admire the singers and musicians, but I didn’t expect to love it.  I was wrong. Just sitting in the seats looking around was an experience.  The Opera house is so impressive and pleasing to the eye.  Even the curtains were more elaborate than anything I’ve seen before.  Once the curtains opened, the visual pleasure continued.  Everything catches the eye, from the costumes, to the set design to the movements.  I was particularly enamored with the spiraling Dragon in the second act.  I have absolutely no idea why it was there, but it was quite cool.

The story, though difficult to follow when I got to caught up in the sites onstage to pay attention to the subtitles, was very entertaining as well.  Hoffman’s sadness over his lack of success with the various women effected me, I felt bad for him.  In the midst of the sadness, the play was filled with comedy.  I chuckled at the men’s repeated requests for beer and when Hoffman made the waiter imitate Kleinzach.  I laughed out loud when he discovered that Olympia was, in fact, a robot.  Where did that come from?  It was a somewhat crazy story- a robot woman, Hoffman’s muse taking on the appearance of his friend, a woman who sings herself to death, and a stolen reflection.  I’d never seen or heard anything like it, and feel that no other medium could get away with such absurdity.

My favorite part was, of course, the music.  I had an idea in my head that operatic music would be slow and boring, and that the voices would be loud to the point of being oppressive.  I couldn’t get away from the image of a large woman screeching until she shattered crystal.  This was not true at all.  The music was engaging, I even found myself wanting to sway with it.  It was exciting and helped the story flow.  I loved the fact that, in contrast to a musical, every line was sung.  The singers’ voices were amazing, the best I’ve ever heard live.  They filled the room without sounding loud and I didn’t want it to stop.  I wish I could have gotten a recording of the performance.

As far as appealing to a young audience goes, I don’t see how they could have done better.  It was spectacularly entertaining filled with excitement, comedy, drama, good dancing and outstanding music. I’m not at all familiar with opera in general, let alone “The Tales of Hoffman” specifically, so I can’t say if anything was done differently to please a younger crowd.  If there was change, well done.  If not, there doesn’t need to be.  Either way, I think any young adult who enjoys good music and entertainment could have a great time at this opera.