(no subject)

We had SO much fun at the opera! We saw The Girl of the Golden West (can't remember the Italian name) by Puccini. I've been to Phantom of the Opera, and Les Miserables, but this was different. For one thing, it was really wierd seeing gold miners singing in Italian. It was funny hearing California places pop up in the incomprehensible Italian. (I learned that the few words of Italian that I do know are hard to understand when it's being sung). Some of the translations were kind of funny as well.

I think the most surreal part for me was when the main girl was playing cards for the life of the man she loved. She is singing this beautiful, passionate aria and the super title board has the translation "3 aces and a piar!"

I enjoyed the opera MUCH more than I thought I would. When I was little, I used to make fun of the heavy vibrato that opera singers like so much. While I still can't say that the heavy vibrato is my favorite, I have learned in the years since how to enjoy the music that they are singing. There were indded some very beautiful arias. And I was impressed about how well the singers were able to project (no microphones!).

Thanks again to Auntie for helping us get tickets! :-)

Now I'm just tired. We were out late... :-)