Opera Goodness!!

So I figured that my Opera Tally post was not a good enough account of the past weekend. I must say that it was pretty fabulous! Everything that is!

Before we drove to NYC we went to a diner for breakfast with his family. The highlight was when he told his Uncle Val he was going to the opera, his response was "this domestic shit has got to stop" then Uncle Val went on to suggest some strip clubs in NYC. We got to Brooklyn and went for a beer in Park Slope with Lyndsay before changing into our swanky clothes to make our dinner reservation at Isabella's. I could go into detail about what we ate...but I'll just say it was fantastic and I want to learn how to make a cider reduction sauce. We had a leisurely dinner then took a cab up to Lincoln Center. (we had issues with the subway due to weekend construction)

Lincoln Center was all blocked off due to construction, which was pretty lame because we couldn't get our picture in front of the fountain. Oh well, it gives us a reason to go back there! The Opera House is just beautiful on the inside and we had pretty good seats.

Act I--Before the opera someone came out to announce that Ruth Ann Swenson had the flu and she announced the name of the woman replacing her as Violetta as well as making her Met Debut. It was pretty exciting to see a rising star and perhaps I'll hear about her later and how she got her start at the Met. The first Act was good with all of Violetta's arias. However, the people sitting next to us were not good. The man kept talking and asking stupid questions to the woman he was with, and they were not quiet about it. I think that the people on the other side of them shut them up and we didn't hear from them the rest of the opera.

Act II--The first scene in this act is a little slow because it is mostly about plot development. Some really important things in the plot happen during this scene but not a lot of action and dancing about. This is when Matt had the most trouble staying awake. I probably nudged him 10 or 12 times during this scene alone. The second scene was much more lively and entertaining as they were at a party with entertainment from gypsies and a matador. I found the matador funny as he slayed men with bull heads in his choreographed ballet. This scene was also reflected Zeffirelli's style of glitter and jewels in the set and the glitter floating down from the ceiling. It was fantastic to watch!

Act III--This Act started out in Violetta's bedroom then as Alfredo came to see her the whole set rose on an elevator on the stage to reveal the 1st story of her house. It was pretty incredible to see that and see her walk down the stairs to greet Alfredo. There is something about the ending of this opera that really gets me. I don't always cry at operas but the way Violetta dies is really moving and it gets me every time.

So in response to the Opera Tally--I did nudge him about 15 times, but the majority of that was in the Act II scene I and the rest were in Act I; which leads me to believe that once he got into the story he was able to stay awake. When asked if he liked it I heard several different responses ranging from "It was OK" to "It was Amazing!" So I think he liked it, but maybe he was afraid to admit it at first. Opera is AMAZING and everyone should know it!

After the Opera we got some pictures and met up with Lyndsay and Tully, they were out drinking for St. Patty's Day. Lyndsay rode the subway back to Brooklyn with us, while we talked Opera very loudly on the subway car. I think we only got strange looks when Lyndsay started describing the decapitated heads on stakes at the beginning of Turandot.

On Sunday we met my sister and Sarah for brunch in Park Slope at a place called Miriam's. It was really good Medittereanean fare. We didn't stay too much longer after that, the rest of the trip was uneventful. We had a fantastic weekend!