Live Blogging the Opera: The Marriage of Figaro
Tilly came to New York as a young girl. The year was 1937 and the ship came from German shores. Tilly's family, like so many families, was fleeing Nazi rule. She married, had children, went to school. She was a dressmaker, a feminist, and something of a savant. Tilly was outspoken, impish, and frequently outrageous; in short: she was just the kind of 88-year-old I hope someday to be.
She was also my best friend's grandmother, and this weekend she died.
I ate matzo ball soup with her at Passover. On Monday, I turned soil into her grave. Her last few days were silent, or so I'm told; just a slowing, shallow breath: in, and out. Tilly had six CDs in her collection, and on one of her last days, my friend's mother reached into the box to put one on. It was Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro.
The first playful notes rang out in the silent room and Tilly's eyes fluttered in surprise. For the first time in days, words found their way to her lips:
"Figaro."
I've never listened to Opera, unless you count Merry Melodies overtures conducted by Bugs Bunny. I've always imagined it stodgy, inaccessible, something for someone else. So when Brian Hinrichs of Madison Opera asked me to liveblog this month's production of The Marriage of Figaro, my first reaction was: "Did you send this to the right address?"
My second reaction was: "What's 'liveblog'?"
The answer to the former was surprisingly yes and the answer to the latter is something we'll all find out tonight. Together. Check back this evening for live updates from Madison's Overture Center for the Arts as I marvel at costumes, pretend to speak Italian, and hopefully eat some free cake.
Tilly's grandaughter will be with me tonight and, in one way or another, I suspect Tilly will be there, too.
6:32 PM: "You look like a black flamingo!" This is how my dashing date greeted me as I blew in from the cold. To be fair, I kind of do. I'm wearing a thrifted black dress with what I believe Merl referred to as a 'casual tutu'. Coincidentally: also my new band name.
7:10 PM: Brian gave us a backstage tour and I was flooded with memories of theaters past, but our community theater prop tables were never so well-organized, nor were our candy tables so well-stocked. We saw wigs and makeup and the most beautiful costumes I've ever seen. We learned about budgets and call times and a basket full of styrofoam heads (just kidding, no one explained those).
We also learned that Madison Opera has a three-week rehearsal period. I need a three-week rehearsal period to put on my socks in the morning so I'm PRETTY IMPRESSED.
I also just realized I haven't eaten dinner and we'll be here until 11:30, so... I might go rectify that. Quickly.
7:32 PM: Sustenance procured. My dinner is pumpkin-chocolate-chip bread and a bag of potato chips. A charming gentleman just called me a 'bloggette'. Tonight is awesome.
7:39 PM: Malka is buying me a drink. Tonight is even more awesome.
7:49 PM: Just saw one of the kids from the student theater critics group I'm volunteering with. So excited to discuss this show with them on Monday!
The gong just sounded! Time to get my opera on.
7:54 PM: Malka and I walk in the theater, drinks in hand, and are intercepted by a kindly usher.
"I'm sorry, ladies, but you can't bring those in here."
Malka: (to him) Oh, okay!
Malka: (to me) CHUG, CHUG, CHUG!
(We do.)
Malka: Okay. Opera time.
Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton opened with an endearing speech on the subject of Madison Opera's 50th Anniversary, complete with a few very subtle references to Tuesday's election, which got some very not-so-subtle laughs. Mayor Dave made a few remarks, the audience applauding approximately every fourth word.
The lights dimmed and the music began. Truthfully, it was a little flat. It went on like this for awhile, and became increasingly cacophonic. GOOD JOB, MOZART, I thought rudely. WAY TO BE FAMOUS.
Malka turned to me. "They're tuning."
Oh.
The lights dimmed further and the real overture began. It was lovely and full and bright. The audience applauded heartily, probably because they were glad it wasn't the real show, too.
9:44 PM: The gong is sounding so it's time for Act II. We were just promised cake after the show, so I am energized.
11:20 PM: THIS IS A REALLY LATE PLAY. IT IS SO FAR PAST MY BEDTIME RIGHT NOW. So of course we are going upstairs for cake and champagne. You know, to wake up.
When I told Anna I was seeing The Marriage of Figaro, she said: "One word: shenanigans." She was not kidding. This play has the most shenanigans of anything ever. SO MANY SHENANIGANS.
Things I have learned about opera:
Overall review of this experience: A++ WILL BLOG AGAIN
p.s. For some really amazing backstage photos, check out Merl's post. You can read the other blogger's recaps here and here.
She was also my best friend's grandmother, and this weekend she died.
I ate matzo ball soup with her at Passover. On Monday, I turned soil into her grave. Her last few days were silent, or so I'm told; just a slowing, shallow breath: in, and out. Tilly had six CDs in her collection, and on one of her last days, my friend's mother reached into the box to put one on. It was Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro.
The first playful notes rang out in the silent room and Tilly's eyes fluttered in surprise. For the first time in days, words found their way to her lips:
"Figaro."
Anya Matanovic as Susanna (left) and Jason Hardy as Figaro (right) in Madison Opera’s The Marriage of Figaro in Overture Hall, Nov. 5 & 7, 2010
Credit: James Gill / Madison Opera
Credit: James Gill / Madison Opera
I've never listened to Opera, unless you count Merry Melodies overtures conducted by Bugs Bunny. I've always imagined it stodgy, inaccessible, something for someone else. So when Brian Hinrichs of Madison Opera asked me to liveblog this month's production of The Marriage of Figaro, my first reaction was: "Did you send this to the right address?"
My second reaction was: "What's 'liveblog'?"
The answer to the former was surprisingly yes and the answer to the latter is something we'll all find out tonight. Together. Check back this evening for live updates from Madison's Overture Center for the Arts as I marvel at costumes, pretend to speak Italian, and hopefully eat some free cake.
Tilly's grandaughter will be with me tonight and, in one way or another, I suspect Tilly will be there, too.
6:32 PM: "You look like a black flamingo!" This is how my dashing date greeted me as I blew in from the cold. To be fair, I kind of do. I'm wearing a thrifted black dress with what I believe Merl referred to as a 'casual tutu'. Coincidentally: also my new band name.
7:10 PM: Brian gave us a backstage tour and I was flooded with memories of theaters past, but our community theater prop tables were never so well-organized, nor were our candy tables so well-stocked. We saw wigs and makeup and the most beautiful costumes I've ever seen. We learned about budgets and call times and a basket full of styrofoam heads (just kidding, no one explained those).
We also learned that Madison Opera has a three-week rehearsal period. I need a three-week rehearsal period to put on my socks in the morning so I'm PRETTY IMPRESSED.
I also just realized I haven't eaten dinner and we'll be here until 11:30, so... I might go rectify that. Quickly.
7:32 PM: Sustenance procured. My dinner is pumpkin-chocolate-chip bread and a bag of potato chips. A charming gentleman just called me a 'bloggette'. Tonight is awesome.
7:39 PM: Malka is buying me a drink. Tonight is even more awesome.
7:49 PM: Just saw one of the kids from the student theater critics group I'm volunteering with. So excited to discuss this show with them on Monday!
The gong just sounded! Time to get my opera on.
7:54 PM: Malka and I walk in the theater, drinks in hand, and are intercepted by a kindly usher.
"I'm sorry, ladies, but you can't bring those in here."
Malka: (to him) Oh, okay!
Malka: (to me) CHUG, CHUG, CHUG!
(We do.)
Malka: Okay. Opera time.
Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton opened with an endearing speech on the subject of Madison Opera's 50th Anniversary, complete with a few very subtle references to Tuesday's election, which got some very not-so-subtle laughs. Mayor Dave made a few remarks, the audience applauding approximately every fourth word.
The lights dimmed and the music began. Truthfully, it was a little flat. It went on like this for awhile, and became increasingly cacophonic. GOOD JOB, MOZART, I thought rudely. WAY TO BE FAMOUS.
Malka turned to me. "They're tuning."
Oh.
The lights dimmed further and the real overture began. It was lovely and full and bright. The audience applauded heartily, probably because they were glad it wasn't the real show, too.
9:44 PM: The gong is sounding so it's time for Act II. We were just promised cake after the show, so I am energized.
11:20 PM: THIS IS A REALLY LATE PLAY. IT IS SO FAR PAST MY BEDTIME RIGHT NOW. So of course we are going upstairs for cake and champagne. You know, to wake up.
When I told Anna I was seeing The Marriage of Figaro, she said: "One word: shenanigans." She was not kidding. This play has the most shenanigans of anything ever. SO MANY SHENANIGANS.
Things I have learned about opera:
- I didn't need to know Italian. (Which is good because I didn't.)
- Opera can be actually, legitimately, hilariously funny.
- In theater, always bring a sweater.
- The part in the Bugs Bunny cartoon when the guy sings "FIGARO FIGARO FIIIIGAROOOO" - that never happens in the real show. I waited.
- If you want an excuse to dress up, and look at other people dressed up, you should go to the opera. Peeps here are stylish. Like me. In my casual tutu.
- Potato chips are not a good dinner.
Overall review of this experience: A++ WILL BLOG AGAIN
p.s. For some really amazing backstage photos, check out Merl's post. You can read the other blogger's recaps here and here.
