Goal #17: check, and check.
This past weekend, during my road trip with Megan, we went to the San Francisco Opera to see our friend Rufus play in the Concerto Italiano, an evening dedicated to Italian music.
Technically, this was not a full-blown opera with costumes and scenes and all that. So maybe it’s cheating to call this goal completed…but I think it passes.
The first half of the performance was a piece called Stabat Mater, by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi. Two lovely women performed the vocals for this beautiful opera piece, while a choir of string instruments played along.
Needless to say, I enjoyed it. I was hesitant before this whole weekend because “opera” to me just screams “shattering glass.” But this piece was gentle yet dramatic, passionate and powerful.
The second half of the evening was solely orchestra, but the group performing were those who accompanied during the full-blown opera performances which are held at the SF Opera House. This, of course, included my friend Rufus and his father (also Rufus), who both played bassoon in the orchestra.
The Italian music I heard that night was truly moving. It almost made me wish I had stuck with the flute/piccolo so I could have been a part of something this breathtaking.
…almost.
I think I’m better off as an audience member.
aw sounds so cultural! i’ve never been to an opera but wouldn’t mind. and i love san francisco!!
So, this is totally silly but once I watched the Pretty Woman scene where she goes to the opera with Richard Gere I’ve wanted to see an Opera. Oh, and the one in Moonstruck too (have you seen that movie? You should. It’s so Italian. So like my family… well, sort of.) Anyway, I want to go to the opera but I have no idea what is good, when to see it and etc.
Glad you had a lovely time!
Congratulations, you won a random prize for finishing NaBloPoMo!
I’ve been to the symphony but not the opera- but my husband used to stage manage opera! The man can keep dance notation on sheet music. It’s the closest I’ve ever seen to a super power.
Your comment on shattering glass made me think of when Josh was little and would look up at the stained glass windows in the church whenever a woman would sing a real high note. LOL
Glad you had fun!
i’ve only ever seen opera on vhs, which needless to say, was terrible. because it was also from the 70s. so yeah, i’d love to see an opera as well. is that bad? i’m a music major and i’ve never seen an opera.
wait. lie.
i went to the magic flute at ndsu. but i don’t really remember it. so i want to see another one. haha.