What an action packed weekend I had.
It’s another world here
The streets are gleaming
I was even dreaming
That they’re paved with gold
Friday, I was on stage at the Bad Dog Theatre and had a great time, although I have to admit that my class with Bruce Hunter has sent my head into a bit of a spin. I think I’m over-thinking stuff when I’m on stage. I didn’t attempt one “character” while up on stage on Friday. By which I mean any funny accents or kind of nervous tics to enhance my choices: I pretty much played the night straight. I managed to get a couple good moments in but nothing notable, made obvious by the after-show notes from the MC, who didn’t mention any particular moments of mine from the show. Certainly I was more “in the moment” while on stage, but I was hesitant and thoughtful while in scenes which resulted in me being dissatisfied with my performance. Gotta find that balance…
Saturday, Photog Bill called us and asked if we wanted free tickets to “Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District” at the COC. This was my first opera ever and I was completely engaged the entire 3 hours of this Soviet Era comment on infidelity, bureaucracy and punishment. The actual show was the final dress rehearsal which was played to a packed house, so I think they’re going to have a great run. We were informed by a rather patronizing announcement at the beginning of the show, that we may encounter some technical glitches (only one – Curtain came down lurchy goosey at the end of Act I) and that we should just remain quiet while the problem was solved. Meanwhile, LMMD has two entr’acte which (the first with music) as the lurchy curtain lowered, the conductor bellowed to the crowd “CAN WE HAVE QUIET IN THE HOUSE – PLEASE!” So I’m unsure if we were being scolded for not being quiet after a technical glitch or we were suppose to be quiet during these “pauses”. Despite all this, I would recommend going to see it. Yes it’s Russian opera with a plot so slow you could get a hair cut at the beginning and end, but the ensemble pieces are so powerful your heart leaps from it’s cavity when they belt out that first note, comrade!
While you pretend not to notice
All the years we’ve been here
We’re the bums you step over
As you leave the Theatre
The COC Opera House itself is pretty amazing, considering they had to cut back during the build. The generous wood and glass accents make the experience more warm, considering you have magnificent views looking out over University Avenue, of the homeless sleeping over steaming grates.
Photog Bill, if you have tix again, please think of us again! I’ll carry your bassoon!
6 thoughts on “Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk”
Shhhh….don’t tell nobody. It’ll ruin my rep.
I’m shocked. I’ve never thought you’d be an Opera Diva.
If the Toronto Opera is anything like the Chicago one, it’s less a “go see great works of art” and more a “go see all your rich buddies with season tickets and chat with them all night long during the performance”. Most of the ones I’ve gone to that have been good experiences are matinees about halfway through the run…the people are there to see the performance, not to socialize.
And lament she did. I estimate the first 20 minutes was her singing about being lonely and having nothing to do. Typical Soviet opera.
I think some Opera goers forgot their common sense at home just because it was a dress rehearsal:
One man who was constantly eating candies out of a noisy paper bag HAD to be told to stop by an usher…
Even if the conductor had a fit and told the house to be quiet, a lot of people just continued to talk…
Also just because they give you a piece of paper with info on it instead of a programme (because they’re not ready yet) doesn’t mean you have to play origami all night long with it… so much money was spent to make this room’s accoustic perfect, (trust me you can hear people think) just imagine a night of someone sitting close by making long neck cranes out of a programme all night long as the diva laments her loneliness on stage…
I’m looking forward to seeing the inside of the new opera house at some point.
I’m tired. I thought your last sentence was “I’ll carry you in my bosom.”