Live A Little - Opera for Everyone

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Here's an embarrassing admission: I am not a huge classical music fan or opera lover. I don't hate it necessarily, but I also don't feel compelled to listen to it of my own volition and I certainly don't go out of my way to see it live. This is embarrassing on several levels. First, because I have many friends who are musicians, several who are featured performers in the Symphony. Second, because everyone knows that listening to classical music makes you smarter. Right? (Only half joking about that!) Third, because my parents LOVE it and are huge supporters of the local opera. 

This past weekend was my mom's birthday and I begrudgingly agreed to bring the kids to a schmancy dinner benefit for the opera. It was held outdoors and I figured I could endure it, for my mom. The kids were ambivalent. And then the music started, led off by a military color guard presenting the flag and a retinue of patriotic songs. The kids were enthralled.


Seated at a table next to us was the King of Ghana and his entourage. The kids were totally entranced by his colorful robes.




I explained why opera included so many different languages and told stories that she couldn't necessarily understand. I explained the difference between classical opera and light opera. I realized that Roo and Jasper would probably go nuts for Gilbert and Sullivan. I remembered how much fun it was to witness the spectacle of the costumes and the crazy high notes. Roo was positive that her glasses would shatter. I think she was hoping they would!




The performance was eventually rained out but we really enjoyed what we did get to see. And I was reminded that we should step outside of our usual habits every once in a while, even if it doesn't seem like something we'd like, just to make other people happy.


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