I scored these tickets through my Enjoy the Arts subscription. I've had nothing but praise for this program; I earned my subscription price back with my first purchase, so tickets to Otello were essentially free.
"Would you like to see Toy Story 3 tonight? Or maybe go to the mother-flippin' opera?"
And the breathtaking Music Hall is now-- literally?-- in my backyard. We walked; it took maybe three minutes. Goodbye, anxiety over parking! Farewell, leaving an hour ahead of the event! Hello, an almost-too-short walk from my new home! (Also ran into our neighbor there. Hi John!)
I'd been to a few touring productions of operas in college-- tons of great acts come through Miami and students can get a great discount-- but I don't believe I'd ever been to the Cincinnati Opera. I grew up listening to my mom talk about the great arts in Cincinnati, including our much-lauded ballet and opera, but this was my first chance to partake.
I wasn't aware that the opera offers an educational preamble an hour before the show; I devoured that, and I'm so glad they open that to ticket-holders!
The show itself, I really liked. I learned in the preamble that our Otello was sick-- he's used to singing in Italy, and had an allergic reaction to our... wait for it... extreme air conditioning. That was a bit distracting, what with the coughing and snot-wiping he tried to hide during his performance. (Maybe not everyone could tell? Hello, fifth row!) However, I'd be an idiot not to tell you that his voice was astounding, and that's what we were really all there for, wasn't it?
Our Otello wasn't what I would have expected. Otello is a dashing war general with a passionate love life, yes? But Dan and I agreed that the Otello standing before us was more of the stereotypical "Italian opera singer" type... a rotund, red-faced Pavarotti, where I expected... hm, not sure. Not a white guy, that's for sure. (Moor of Venice?) I tried, but I also couldn't really pick up on the love connection between Otello and Dezzi. There was no spark there, especially not one worth stabbin' over.
But at the end of the day we're there to hear some world-famous arias, right? Isn't that why we see Verdi's version over the local high school's rendition? The singing did not disappoint, allergies and all. I'm not sure I could have asked for a better Cincinnati Opera initiation-- and if I weren't going to be out of town, I'd absolutely hit up La Boheme.
Cincinnati Opera: http://www.cincinnatiopera.com/
11 comments:
I thought the show was great and I confess even in the front row didn't notice the coughing until someone else mentioned it. Great running into you guys there! We were there on Brian's ETA vouchers, and I intend to use my own to see La Boheme on July 21.
He was pretty good at covering it up, but I definitely noticed it quite often. There was another time when he was changing his robe and they brought him water, did you notice that? Interesting.
Hm, I didn't really even think about getting Dan his own vouchers. Then we could go to TWICE the amount of stuff!! Oh man, I'm giddy. Granted, I have never once made it through even a quarter of the vouchers they provide. LOVE THIS PROGRAM!
Sounds like you had a great time! I have tix to La Boheme...I'll let you know what I think.
Please do!! I'm so sad to be missing it; I've never seen it performed before!
Um, I totally missed water being brought to him while he was changing his robe, and I was wide awake and paying attention the whole time. Wow!
Yeah, it was pretty slick. I wonder if they always do that or just in that performance.
ooh, I like that last shot.
Thank you! Most of the photos were Dan's; that one's mine. ;)
Isn't it awesome strolling to a show? No wolfing down a Big Mac in the car brushing crumbs off the suit.
You probably could have grabbed a bite at senate or lavo and not even been rushed.
Ohhhh it's a delightful feeling. Can't wait to do more of that. Had a similar experience when I'v gone to Cincinnati Shakespeare or the Aronoff.
Psh, opera. What's wrong with mini golf next to the highway?
Erica, the terrorists HATE our freedom.
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