A (Kilt) Night at the Opera

[Panache]

I have never had the pleasure of seeing an Opera in person, though I have enjoyed performances on television and cd. The nearby San Francisco Opera is well regarded and I have been waiting for just the right work to experience one.

I just saw an advertisment that the San Francisco Opera will be performing Verdi's "Macbeth" in November. I couldn't help but think that this would be a wonderfully appropriate occassion for a dressy (Kilt) Night at the Opera!


I am not familar with this particular piece but I love the story.


November 14, 18, 20, 24, 27, and December 2nd. The November 18th and December 2nd performances will be afternoon performances. Tickets run $40 to $275.

Would any of our Nor Cal Rabble be interested?

Has anyone seen a performance at the War Memorial Opera House and has recomendations for seats?

Any thoughts on this Opera?

For more information the San Francisco Opera's website is www.sfopera.com

Cheers

Jamie

[Ruanaidh]

I'd love to join you, Panache, but SF is a bit far for me to travel. Verdi's "Macbeth", if done properly (and we all know what properly means) should be filled with kilts. I'll have to settle for the live HD broadcast by the Metropolitan Opera at my local movie house on January 12.

[McMurdo]

I think that this would be a wonderful kilt night, I wish I had gone kilted when I was a subscriber to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the Canadian Opera Company. I really hope youcan get something together for it, but if not you could always go with your F-H(BT)CAG and leave the rabble at home.

[Panache]

I really hope you can get something together for it, but if not you could always go with your F-H(BT)ACG and leave the rabble at home.

Good Advice, the lovely F-H.C.A.G. owns several lovely (slinky) cocktail dresses that she hasn't had an excuse to don in a while. I think a night out and about in San Francisco is in order.

Cheers

Jamie

[starbkjrus]

I hate to be a spoiler here but I've BEEN to the opera. Oh, my lord but give it a pass. Pick anything else. Go to the theater or even a happy hour but don't go to the opera. Horrid! :crap::crap::crap:oop:

[Andrew Breecher]

I hate to be a spoiler here but I've BEEN to the opera. Oh, my lord but give it a pass. Pick anything else. Go to the theater or even a happy hour but don't go to the opera. Horrid!

Have you been to this particular opera, by this particular company? I've seen several operas, and have enjoyed myself thoroughly. I have not seen Verdi's Macbeth(just remember not to say the name of the opera inside a theatre!), nor have I seen any production by the San Francisco Opera, but I've had a great time seeing various pieces ranging from Bizet's Carmen to Glass's Akhnaten.

If you just don't particularly enjoy the opera, your comment isn't particularly relevant to this thread.

Andrew.

[gilmore]

...Verdi's "Macbeth", if done properly (and we all know what properly means) should be filled with kilts. ...

Actually, I don't know what that means.

If it was accurate to period in which MacBeth lived, 1005-1057, there would be no kilts. They hadn't yet come to be worn in Scotland.

If it was accurate to time Shakespeare wrote the play, probably between 1603 and 1606, as I recall great kilts had been worn by that time but were not yet common.

If it was accurate to the time the opera was first perfomed in 1847 in Italy, revised version performed in 1865 in Paris, anything is possible. It was a time when kilts and Highland dress were fashionable in Britain.

I used to see the SF Opera when I lived there several years ago. I remember the costuming, staging and choreography as inventive and creatively done.

[rmmcscott]

I'm jealous! I've been wanting to see something at the San Francisco Opera... I've seen many very good operas here in Colorado, now want to start seeing some at some of the large, well-known opera houses (San Fran, Santa Fe, The Met)... would be great fun to go kilted!

Who knew Colorado had so much good opera... and talented artists who can endure singing at this elevation. I have a elderly gentleman friend who was an opera singer (and was a "singing sargeant" in the US Army and had performed for 5 US Presidents) who was never more nervous about a performance as in Leadville Colorado at the Tabor Opera House (elevation 10,152 ft - highest town in North America) because of the lack of oxygen and the inability to breathe, much less sing a challenging piece of music.

Hope you enjoy the performance Jaime!

[Sheep In Wolf's Clothing]

I say go and experience at least one opera in your lifetime. Yes cd’s are great and watching it on tv is fine too.. but there is something about live music, especially opera.
My sister and I go to an Opera fundraiser every few months. Our local college has a theater arts department and they hold one twice a semester to raise money for bursaries. Two of the professors are retired Opera performers and with another local tenor they sing selections from operas and musicals in a lovely old church we have in town. Last time we went they did a splendid version of Loch Lomond. My sister leaned over and said: “You should have worn your kilt. Actually you really should next time.” I think I will!

Before going, I strongly suggest doing a little research about the Opera and its composer. It might be a neat little family project. I am a strong believer of introducing children to classical music (and Opera) young.

Most of all I hope you and the F-H.C.A.G. go and have a lovely time.

Sara
(Who wishes she could fly out there and enjoy it too!!)

[davedove]

Verdi's "Macbeth", if done properly

I assume you mean performed in the original Klingon.