A Night At The Opera

**gordontaos** · 9th July 13, 11:48 PM

Zachary Nelson played Figaro.
But, more good news to be had!
While "shopping while kilted" I was approached by two extremely well dressed 20 somethings. It turns out that they are in the Opera's apprentice program and he has 4 different kilts to wear (he is in the chorus), at La Donna del Lago which opens this weekend. They stated that this opera is rarely performed, is by Rossini, and is based on Sir Walter Scott's " Lady of the Lake".

Looks as if we will have to quickly scrounge up some more cash and see if there are any more tickets available.

**JonathanB** · 10th July 13, 12:49 AM

I went to La donna del largo last month at Covent Garden and loved it. It does need lead singers with formidable technique though to manage all that coloratura. More for Handel lovers than Puccini lovers.

Years ago Marilyn Horne playing the young male lover in La donna sounded wonderful in the music and looked silly in a kilt. Fortunately, Daniela Barcellona this time carried off her kilt (and her contralto coluratura).

**AJBryant** · 10th July 13, 11:54 AM

Excellent display of passive aggression, there, man.

That's why I was short and jocular about the comment, just to let you know. You took it and ran in a different direction.

Don't shoot the messenger.

It's not my fault. It's the fashion rule.

You don't show shirt between waistcoat and pants/kilt. It's not RUDE. It's the way things are.

You can get all persnickity if you want, but if you forget yourself and wear a hat inside, wouldn't you want someone to mention it to you so you can take it off before everyone takes their opinion of you? That's all that was done here.

More and more people these days don't seem to understand how basic fashion works. For example, look at all the people who think "suit = formal". Suits are "business casual." BLACK TIE is formal. A tux is SEMI-formal.

That's just the way it is.

**JonathanB** · 10th July 13, 01:56 PM

I thought we were talking about opera. OK, whose going to Wozzek? It was on at the English National Opera last season and is due at Covent Garden later this year with the wonderful Simon Keenlyside as the put upon central character. I could cope with twelve tone scales for him. Any comments?

(Discussions of waistcoats are tangential, and discussions about discussions of waistcoats are not only irrelevant, but as Father Bill wisely hints possibly totally destructive.)

**AJBryant** · 11th July 13, 08:22 AM

I saw a production of Wozzeck when I was in grad school (one of my friends was singing Wozzy himself).

I've been depressed or just bummed by operas before, but... damn. That one just turned my brain to mush. Weird opera. I really wonder what the heck Berg was thinking. (Then again, being based on an unfinished tale really explains a lot.)

Gimme Wagner, Verdi, or Mozart any day. ;)

**JonathanB** · 15th July 13, 05:58 AM

Originally Posted by AJBryant

Gimme Wagner, Verdi, or Mozart any day. ;)

Couldn't agree more, although I'm a not a total Wagner nut.

**cck** · 15th July 13, 07:25 AM

Several aspects of this thread have caught my attention. Between about 1985 and 1995 my wife and I made numerous trips to Santa Fe, primarily to attend the opera. That was before my kilt wearing days and in the 12 -15 performances we attended I never saw a kilt being worn. I am glad to see that is no longer the case.

A few months ago the Texas Scottish Festival was taking place in the DFW area and during the same time the Ft. Worth Opera was having its season. The wonderful versatility of the kilt. Worn with a casual shirt to the Scottish Festival Saturday afternoon, shake the dust out of the kilt and change to an Argyll jacket and bow tie for the opening night of The Daughter of the Regiment, move to a Crail jacket and regimental stripe bow tie (I am a bow tie enthusiast) for a matinee performance of Ariadne auf Naxos on Sunday. We dined with friends prior to both performances at nearby restaurants and, as expected, the kilt attracted several nice comments. I saw no other kilts being worn.

To my limited knowledge, I can only think of 3 operas set in Scotland (Macbeth, Lucia, La Donna) and I had never seen the latter. When I saw the discussion of its performance in Santa Fe, I looked up the possibility of flights to Albuquerque and tickets. That was a bit costly, but I found that the entire performance of La Donna del Lago from the Royal Opera was available on YouTube. While watching an opera on the computer lacks a great deal, it was indeed a fabulous performance. I was surprised it was available and would certainly recommend it if you are an opera enthusiast. One can't beat the price.