JimH wrote:
On Aug 8, 4:58 pm, "Sir Grand Duke of Marmalade, Reginald P. Smithers
III The Great, Esq. LLC" wrote:
hk wrote:
Eisboch wrote:
"hk" wrote in message
. ..
Eisboch wrote:
STOP. I have this bizzare image of you on stage with one of those
pointy Viking hats with the horns on the side, hands clasped before
you, belting out a "tune".
Eisboch
Wish it were so. These days, I can't carry a tune with a bucket. Back
in junior high, though, before my voice changed from boy soprano to
gravel, I could sing. A little.
At that first opera, we had seats on the side of the house, probably
the second balcony, and one of the female leads had absolutely
spectacular cleavage. That hooked me. The same weekend, we got to see
"West Side Story" on Broadway.
I think the kids in the choir were charged about $20 for the whole
trip, including trainfare. The school picked up the rest. That was in
the days schools had a little money.
Opera has fascinated me for a long, long time. Virtually every aspect
of it is way, way, way over the top.
BTW, if you want a real treat, listen to Anna Netrebko's "Violetta" CD.
Violetta Valery, the woman who "strayed." Some of the most beautiful
vocal music ever.
No thanks. Opera does absolutely nothing for me. However, I *can*
understand your early introduction to it.
My intro was the Boston Symphony Orchestra, probably at about the same
age. The power of the orchestra blew me away and stuck in my head.
Even today, once in a while, Mrs.E. and I get tickets and journey into
Boston just to hear a beautifully played piece of music.
But .... NOT opera!
Eisboch
A lot of people don't like opera until they go to the right opera.
Seriously. I like some of Wagner's music, but I cannot stand sitting
through his operas. If you went to see the Magic Flute or La Boheme or
any of several others, I bet you'd enjoy it.
I didn't like ballet until I was about 30. Then I went to one here in DC
and got hooked.
Try these two:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSX3HyWBqW0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4sONjSaHWA
The latter has Netrebko when she was a young girl...the last few bars of
her as a coloratura soprano are just incredible for such a young singer.
She does an even better job of it now...her range and phrasing are just
remarkable.
Nah, now this is OPERA.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHjWD...eature=related

The key to Opera is knowing how to watch it.

Click on the link.

Turn the speakers up HIGH

Turn the monitor OFF

Close eyes

Sit back and enjoy

How do you *watch* opera with your eyes closed (and monitor off)?

That's our Reggie...............

You watch it in "your minds eye". In my humble opinion, the only way to
watch it.