A night at the opera

Having grown up listening to, seeing and participating in musical theater, I don't consider myself a novice about performance. I've done my own performing, sets, design, costume and been a willing audience member. Never have I been to the opera, however.

The Glimmerglass Opera's "La Traviata" was my very first experience with the art form and it was as spectacular as I had hoped. First of all, the soprano playing Violetta, Mary Dunleavy, is extraordinary. Her highest notes seemed effortless and she looked just beautiful. In the first act, though, Dunleavy's costume didn't seem to fit her character, a courtesan. Instead of red, or lace, or something particularly busty to signify her promiscuity, she wore pastel pink and green with sequined roses. True, the creation was lovely and it matched the set's sofa nicely, but it did not set an appropriate contrast with act two's white dress. A member of our group told me that was to signal her "new virginity" as she began her life with Alfredo.

Alfredo, played by Ryan MacPherson, had a good voice. My favorite male role was the Baron, mostly because of all the male players, his voice was the brightest - the closest to a music theater sound, which I can tell you I much prefer over the dark tones of male opera singers. MacPherson held up well next to Dunleavy's stage prowess. Another but: In act two, he lays helpless on a couch in such a position that I couldn't take him seriously as he sang this gorgeous aria. Similarly, he leaned against a wall at one point later in the scene so pathetically. Granted, Alfredo isn't the manliest of men, in fact, he reminded me of Alex in "Aspects of Love" a little bit, but I couldn't help but think he was a wuss, simply from these stances. I recognize how picky that is. Some things just stick with you.

Oh! Justice Ginsberg was also there tonight. That's just crazy. 

Glimmerglass is truly a treasure to Central New York. It's interesting that such an accomplished opera company exists in literally the middle of nowhere. A beautiful nowhere, but it's even 20 minutes or so from the actual village of Cooperstown. 

By the way, the Baseball Hall of Fame is great. I thought of it as a nice contrast to the opera, an everyday-person's kind of outing. After seeing "La Traviata" at Glimmerglass, though, I would take anyone to see an opera. I'd always been under the impression that opera was inaccessible to those not in the know, those who don't speak the language, either Italian or of "high art" (I quote that will some disdain and disagreement). Glimmerglass's Alice Busch Theatre is perfect, only about 900 seats, and always sub titled. We also got to meet Robert, one of this summer's Young American Artists. To me, that was excellent. It took these anachronistic singers off the stage and into jeans, just in general. I also think the YAA program is a great idea and if I had more than $11 in my wallet, I might consider giving to it. 

Someone's got to fund their dreams.