A Night At The Opera

**BCAC** · 9th July 13, 01:27 AM

Originally Posted by fingertrouble

I think they would mention it, but agreed it is bad form to make such a comment. Rude, even.

I stated in my previous post that nothing looks worse than a big expanse of white shirt between the waistcoat and the kilt. I stand by this statement. This is in fact true whatever is being worn on the bottom half of your body. The fact that it is hired gear is neither here nor there. In fact, if it was hired gear I would never taken it out of the shop. It is not only possible to fill this gap, but it is necessary. If, whatever I tried, there was always this big expanse of white shirt between my waistcoat and what I had on the bottom of my body (kilt or trousers), and it wasn't hired gear, then I would leave the waistcoat off.

It is, in effect, my opinion, but I believe that I am not alone in having this same opinion. Of course, if I saw someone whom I considered to have made a "faux pas" when dressing for the evening, I would not say anything to him about that at all.

I'm only stating here what I would do and my way of looking at these things. This great expanse of white shirt between waistcoat and kilt is not normal, can easily be corrected and does not look good. You, of course, are at liberty to do as you wish (and you don't need my permission to be able to do so).

**fingertrouble** · 9th July 13, 07:30 AM

Still rude. If I'd asked 'what do you think?' or 'do you think this looks OK?' or it had been a critical thread about kilt wear, then OK. Or a positive suggestion, like 'if you wear this jacket you'd avoid that space' - again that would be fine.

But to proffer an unasked negative, even snarky opinion in an unrelated thread, especially with the trigger phrase 'Nothing looks worse than...' (a bit like 'I don't mean to be prejudiced but...' in the uh-oh stakes) then yes, it's rude, whatever you think is 'proper' or correct. In fact, I would say if you think *anything* is proper and correct then politeness should factor in that most highly. Public critical comments will *always* rub people the wrong way. Strange you would not mention it in person as a faux pas, but find the anonymity behind a keyboard much more acceptable? That makes it worse in fact. Classic keyboard warrior, and makes me feel that it was intended as snark and not a friendly comment at all, or an idle comment without thinking.

As it is, it just makes me self-concious and less likely to wear a kilt now :-( , so I'd respectfully request you keep any future opinions to yourself, and maybe learn some basic internet etiquette.

**Father Bill** · 9th July 13, 03:59 PM

Let's be kind fellows.

**gwynng** · 9th July 13, 04:46 PM

And back to the Opera...who played Figaro?

**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. ;)