My Friends,
Ok, here I go again having to swear off never saying never. I have always shouted loud enough for all to hear (didn’t need a microphone) that going to the live performances of the opera at a movie house just didn’t cut it. But here I am in sunny Florida (Sorry my Northern friends) and missing several desperate-to-see operas.
Well I get an announcement that Philip Glass’s opera, Akhnaten is coming to a local movie house Live in HD from the MET. Well I shortened my snobby nose, swallowed my boastful pride and bought a ticket. It was to begin at 1 pm and finish at 4:45 pm.
I alerted my friend Diana who dropped me off to be on call as I was pretty sure it would have to be brilliant to keep me in my seat all that time. Guess what? It kept me glued to my seat except for intermission bathroom breaks.
My dear friends it was and is brilliant! I’m not sure it fits being labeled an
opera. It belongs to a new category of music and song and story and dance and juggling.
It is classical. It is history. It is dramatic. The music is as otherworldly as Glass usually is, but it is completely in sync with this era of an Egyptian ruler who created a new religion. A monotheistic one that worshipped The Sun God. Versailles came after the pyramids right?? Of course right!!
I had a perfectly gorgeous New York Cultural afternoon. The camera even gave me shots of NYC and the interior of the opera house. Of course, as I sat in my shorts and t-shirt I was not unaware of the winter clothing of the audience. They had my full sympathy. I am grateful to have been able to see an opera on my wish list.
However… that being said…
For me it will never replace the live experience. I am not overly thrilled with all the interviews they use to fill the intermissions. It breaks mood.
But Lynn (you are right) and all, I was and am grateful I was able to see it. And look forward to seeing Wozzek in January.
If anyone wants to come to Florida to go to the opera Live at the Met at the movies, let me know and I’ll get an extra ticket. Sorry no popcorn 🍿But how about a soupçon of caviar? I drink it all day!!!
Love, Sally-Jane
Post Script…
My dear friends, I greet you this year at this time of the year and ask you to spread the joy. We could either focus on the negatives as the media, social and otherwise appear to do, or take this opportunity to go to the Spa of Life to share the elixir of peace and goodwill to one and all.
I don’t care what you think or what you believe as long as it is in and with LOVE it will help in healing the world.
I have this funny feeling that this is the American Year of Denial.
Think about it…
If we deny the troublemakers and naysayers and fearful their usual space in our heads, I predict we are going to have a great holiday.
Right??? Of course, right!!!
Sally-Jane's Blah, Blah, Blog 