I have always wanted to go to an opera, the classical counterpart of a modern musical, which I like very much. But I have been careful enough not to rush the first experience because I know how important that is. Once a friend of mine was trying to experience some classical music and decided to go to a free concert by our university orchestra. Not a bad idea, you might think. However, I knew his adventurous encounter was ill-fated because the program happened to be Stravinsky's "The Rite of the Spring". Indeed, he was so lost that he walked out of the concert.
So I have waited for an "easy" opera, in the sense that it's popular and lyrical, preferably by one of my favorite composers. When I knew the Peabody Opera Theatre was going to produce Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute), I booked the ticket in no time.
It was fantastic: Three hours literally flew by. Peabody students gave this two-hundred-year-old opera an energetic treatment. The use of projection as a modern, low-budget set was brilliant. The Peabody Concert Orchestra, under the baton of Hajime Teri Murai, did a fine job. But the thunder was still in the hands of an excellent cast: Andrew Sauvageau's top-notch comedic acting as Papageno and Jessica Lennick's powerful vocal performance as Queen of the Night really stood out. Jeffrey Tarr's Sarastro was also impressive.
With an informative booklet and English supertitles, I enjoyed the whole show without feeling lost in translation. Since I purchased the ticket really early (a month before), I got an unbelievably good seat (fourth row aisle). With a $10 student ticket, it was a steal. I will definitely go to more operas whenever I can.
So I have waited for an "easy" opera, in the sense that it's popular and lyrical, preferably by one of my favorite composers. When I knew the Peabody Opera Theatre was going to produce Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute), I booked the ticket in no time.
It was fantastic: Three hours literally flew by. Peabody students gave this two-hundred-year-old opera an energetic treatment. The use of projection as a modern, low-budget set was brilliant. The Peabody Concert Orchestra, under the baton of Hajime Teri Murai, did a fine job. But the thunder was still in the hands of an excellent cast: Andrew Sauvageau's top-notch comedic acting as Papageno and Jessica Lennick's powerful vocal performance as Queen of the Night really stood out. Jeffrey Tarr's Sarastro was also impressive.
With an informative booklet and English supertitles, I enjoyed the whole show without feeling lost in translation. Since I purchased the ticket really early (a month before), I got an unbelievably good seat (fourth row aisle). With a $10 student ticket, it was a steal. I will definitely go to more operas whenever I can.
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