Mid summer night’s date

July 16th, 2008, 11:28 pm

There we were, out on a summer day, enjoying ourselves with a glass of wine as sun descends beyond the glorious hills of Hollywood,

And our friends, Mr. Pooh and Ms. Ya Ya, smilling so contentedly in my workout bag, waiting for the concert to start…

Then there we were again - his hand holding mine as we whispered sporadic I love yous under gentle stars.

What a perfect mid summer night’s date it was!

We were at the Hollywood Bowl last Sunday for their annual opera concert. This year, they played Bizet’s famous opera - Carmen. I’ve been to the Bowl far too many times before, but it was my first time going there with John. We took the bus to get there and back, which was a great choice as the bus pick up spot was at a very convenient location, and the round-trip fair was only $5.00! The bus gets us there in half an hour. Not only did we avoided all the traffic, we could relax during the ride, we helped the environment, also we didn’t need to pay double digits for parking! For those of you southern Californians planning on going to the Hollywood Bowl, I highly recommend doing park and ride. It was so easy!

Music wise …. er…. it was only okay…

When an opera is removed from the theatrical environment for which it belongs, everything becomes much diluted. The notes might still all be there, but the drama’s gone, the stage set’s gone, and with amplified sound, the quality of singing voice and the depth of instrumental sound were also sacrificed. I don’t know if it was the caliber of the singers, or perhaps I’ve really raised my bar for musical appreciation, I wasn’t too thrilled by the singing. Besides soprano Jessica Rivera, who sang the role of Micaëla, I wasn’t too impressed by all other singers. But then again, it could be the amplified sound that was to be blamed. Everything just sounded flat, and somewhat lifeless. I, for one, much prefer natural sound over amplified sound.

But, Hollywood Bowl is a fun place for people of all ages to enjoy all sorts of music the fun way. While elements in an opera are diluted for a serious opera nut like me, the venue itself, with its relaxed atmosphere, and its departure from a traditional opera house, makes opera music more light-hearted, and thus easier for more people to enjoy.

Until opera houses returns from their summer recess in September, an opera concert at Hollywood Bowl will serve as a good dose of live opera music for now.

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Tosca

June 15th, 2008, 5:09 pm

How surprising it is that the opera season is coming to an end, but this is only my first post about an opera performance this year? Just like previous years, I still go see performances very often, both at LA Opera and Opera Pacific. This is the 4th year that I am a subscriber to Opera Pacific, and the 3rd year that I see almost every opera production at LA Opera. Last night, I went to see Tosca, which is my favorite opera thus far, with two of my favorite people in the world — my mom, and John.

I’ve anticipated this performance for a very long time. How should I say it? Tosca is simply a perfect opera. It’s my favorite! “Vissi d’arte, vissi d’amore” in the third art is also my favorite, favorite aria of all operas that I’ve heard so far. In this opera there’s beautiful and virtuous diva who lives for art and for love, plus her young and passionate artist lover, and the optimum evil in authority who lust after women. Then, the oppressed, the helpless, the beautiful Tosca who never harmed a soul was forced to raise up and fight for her fate (and her lover’s) by killing the evil. Unlike other divas in many other operas who swallow whatever injustice that was presented to them, Tosca raised up and fought. Throw all that into Rome in post French Revolution era and make it a tragic love triangle, all told in concise, dramatic libretto and Puccini’s glorious music. That’s Tosca in my uneducated words. I loved the music years before actually seeing the opera. I’ve listened to the music numerous times and watched the whole opera on DVD numerous times, and I never skipped any opportunity to see it live either. Read the rest of this entry »

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