Cincinnati Opera: Otello

Some days, I'm the luckiest girl alive.


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/

Dear Vanity Fair

There's been some recent backlash about a Vanity Fair article, wherein they mention that Cincinnatians have "meager pickings" to boast about. I first heard about this through Kate the Great's snappy retort, and shortly thereafter, WineMeDineMe suggested that other Cincinnati bloggers take up the charge.

Kate touched on food and art. A few points of my Cincinnati pride, from a historical perspective:


The Cincinnati Zoo is the second-oldest in the country, with the oldest existing zoo building (the Reptile House). It mates Sumatran rhinos. It's home to white tigers and record-breaking cheetahs. It is one of the best zoos in the country, and I can walk there from our current home in Clifton.


The Cincinnati Reds were the first professional baseball team. Our mayor may not be able to throw a ball, but you must respect the heritage of our original Red Stockings.


The Cincinnati Opera is the second-oldest in the country, trailing only behind the New York Met. Music Hall is one of the most beautiful buildings in Cincinnati and boasts a rich history of its own, including playing host to the 1880 Democratic National Convention.


And Union Terminal (Cincinnati Museum Center) is my personal favorite landmark and stunning example of Art Deco style (not to mention the inspiration for the Halls of Justice).

Cincinnati is much more than the living museum I'm making it out to be, but as I delve deeper and deeper into the history of this city, I become more and more proud of its heritage and its roots. There is art, there is architecture, there is history, and I am proud to boast about the Queen City.