A (Kilt) Night at the Opera

[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.

[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!!)

[McFarkus]

I say go and experience at least one opera in your lifetime.

My first opera (quite a number of years ago) was Verdi's 'Rigoletto' with Pavarotti singing the Duke. It's all been downhill since then.

[hallmarktex]

Yeah, that Pavarotti character is a tough act to follow!

[Coinneach]

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

That just reminds me that my very first opera was "The Ballad of Baby Doe" (about Baby Doe Tabor) when I was the tender age of 18. Loved opera ever since.

Go. Have fun!

[davedove]

Verdi's "Macbeth", if done properly

I assume you mean performed in the original Klingon.

[hallmarktex]

I have season tickets to the Dallas Opera which, interestingly, is also opening it's season with MacBeth in November. As a season subscriber we get invited to various special functions for the opera. The chorus master will frequently show up in his kilt for these occasions. There is also a young man who has tickets the same night as ours who always comes dressed in his kilt and PC.

I just got my first kilt this year and am still putting together everything I need to attend the opera in formal kilted attire.

All music is an acquired taste. If you're in to it, or even just willing to learn, opera can be a great time.

[pipesndrumsnun]

Sounds like a pretty neat idea!