OPERA

To change a phrase a bit, I submit, "Damn everything but the opera!"

Yea, I am an "opera coocoo." 

You ask, "What's an opera anyway?"

Picture a group of beautiful women and handsome men cavorting on a slanted stage in fantastic costumes while singing at the top of their lungs.  All the time they are acting in some silly play, accompanied by a very loud orchestra.

Mass confusion!  I love it!

For a while, my son Chris and I would spend our Sundays at the Baltimore, Maryland Lyric Opera House.  My son obtained premium box seats and we sat there and watched operas like we were English nobility. Fun!

As great opera fans, we were allowed to join the Baltimore Opera Guild.  Once a month we attended a luncheon of classy food and wine.  As we sipped our drinks, the Opera Manager would introduce one of the singers in an upcoming production.

The singer always belted out some aria while the manager accompanied on a grand piano. To hear a famous tenor or soprano make very beautiful sounds right next to our table was a marvelous treat.

Afterwards, a room would open up to show tables filled with opera memorabilia (including clothing.) The sellers took in lots of cash from rich ladies, which I assume paid for our luncheon meals.

Meanwhile an obnoxious harridan toting a ream of published opera lyrics blasted everyone's eardrums with shouts of "Libretti! Libretti!  She did a brisk business.

Once I purchased a necktie with an opera theme. Some other opera-lover stole it.

Did I say that 98% of the Guild members were dowagers spending their deceased husband's money?

The other 2% consisted of me and Chris, and these old ladies watched my son with hungry eyes.

Unfortunately, opera in Baltimore died and the Opera Guild with it.

My favorite opera has always been La Boheme by Giacomo Puccini.  I have always been a "manly man," but when Mimi dies and I hear the tenor hit that high note with the sad "MIMI!" my tear ducts start to drain and I become a "basket case" for a few hours.

 My other favorite opera composers and their works are: 

#1 Herr Mozart, the greatest of the great! (The Marriage of Figaro!)

#2  Giuseppe Verdi (alias Joe Green) (Rigoletto)

#3  George Gerschwin (Porgy and Bess)

Chris and I saw Madama Butterfly by our friend Puccini.  I told Elaine how it takes place in Japan, with pagodas and shrines and beautiful costumes.  She said she would like to see it.

The opera came back the next year and I treated Elaine to a seat situated with a good view of the stage.  Alas! This was an "avant-garde" version of Butterfly.  It was staged in New York's Hell's Kitchen and the costumes were T-shirts and mini-skirts.  A complete bomb!  Sorry, Elaine.

Now, opera in Baltimore is back somewhat and I'd like to see some again, but I'm still in hibernation.  Maybe next year.

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Go and check out operas on You Tube.