vicky's vibes: I Love Opera

I grew up listening to broadcasts of the Metropolitan Opera from New York City on Saturday afternoons from December to April. My father loved opera, and he had some books about it, which I loved. I remember hearing Milton Cross, for so many years the host, introduce the opera stars and the intermission features. RIP Milt!

Today, May 1, 2010, I went to see Armida by Rossini at a local theatre, live in HD from the Met stage.

Renee Fleming played the title role and there were six tenors, all excellent. The lead male role, a tenor of course, was Lawrence Brownlee, (below) absolutely gorgeous voise and great stage presence. A woman, Zimmerman, directed the production, which had very interesting sets and excellent costumes.

The Live in HD productions are terrific. This is the end of the third season. The first year, no theatre in Milwaukee carried the broadcasts so I went to Kenosha to see The Magic Flute, the first, and the second, I Puritani with Anna Netrebko.

I enjoyed going to the opera at the Old Met on Broadway and 39th. I saw several excellent productions and generally loved the entire ambience when I was living in Washington D. C. and getting to NYC on some weekends.

If alone,

I liked to buy a seat in the Dress Circle and once I met a very attractive man, Italian I believe, who bought me a glass of champagne at intermission. I did manage to find an escort for most of my visits however, or a girl friend, though even then, a night at the opera was not as tempting to most as a visit to the Peppermint Lounge!

I remember many operas at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, though I think it was called something else when I was little.

The interior of the Lyric is not as beautiful as most opera houses, not being anything close to the horseshoe example. Here are pictures of a few more opera houses I have enjoyed on my travels.

Staatsoper, Berlin

La Scala, Milan

State Opera, Vienna

I have attended several operas at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, in London and always love the experience. In 2005 I saw the wild version of Rigoletto that was also broadcast to outdoor locations around England. I remember talking to some women whod seen it outside as we went home on the bus. They were really shocked, and I guess I was too -- not offended by the nudity, just surprised.

The production was directed by David McVicar, an enfant terrible of opera I assumed. I really disliked the set but the singing was glorious and the great quartet was definitely what we all came for.

One of the most amusing memories I have is of listening to and adoring Rise Stevens, whose Carmens were legendary. She was also a frequent guest on early television programs and appeared in ads for cigarettes. Amazing!