Opera Small Talk

**Luiz Gazzola (Almaviva)** · May 27th, 2017, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by Nemorino

No, just to the farthest of the 4! LOL. Sorry I didn't make that clear. As soon as I make enough money, I promise to donate to more. But Dallas makes me the most excited. And I don't even particularly like spending time in Dallas!! But they put on some ambitious repertoire. Their pre-opera talks are generally more informative than Houston's, too, which feel dumbed-down to the point of being condescending.

Yes, it's really irritating when pre-opera talks are dumbed-down and condescending. Just recently I was in one where the lecturer kept mispronouncing the names of operas and even the name of the singers for that very production, and tried the usual share of lame jokes.

The problem is, I actually gave one of these lectures and tried to be a bit more advanced. I don't think the public liked it. Apparently it flew a bit above their heads, not to forget that the microphone kept malfunctioning. They never invited me to do it again so my conclusion is that the general public likes the dumbed-down versions... which are very disappointing to the fanatics like us.

**Soave_Fanciulla** · May 27th, 2017, 08:50 PM

Originally Posted by Luiz Gazzola (Almaviva)

Yes, it's really irritating when pre-opera talks are dumbed-down and condescending. Just recently I was in one where the lecturer kept mispronouncing the names of operas and even the name of the singers for that very production, and tried the usual share of lame jokes.

The problem is, I actually gave one of these lectures and tried to be a bit more advanced. I don't think the public liked it. Apparently it flew a bit above their heads, not to forget that the microphone kept malfunctioning. They never invited me to do it again so my conclusion is that the general public likes the dumbed-down versions... which are very disappointing to the fanatics like us.

I'll never forget the Don Giovanni talk from NZ opera General Manager Stuart Maunder who informed us that "Mozart was not boring, like Handel".

**Luiz Gazzola (Almaviva)** · May 27th, 2017, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by Soave_Fanciulla

I'll never forget the Don Giovanni talk from NZ opera General Manager Stuart Maunder who informed us that "Mozart was not boring, like Handel".

Oh wow, LOL

**Dichteurehalle** · May 28th, 2017, 01:18 AM

Originally Posted by Festat

Hyperion has a very unusual section on their website...

Did it work on you? I took a look at the page, but did not buy anything; my opera purchases are typically motivated by feelings much stronger than pity. For example, recently submitted my order for next season: it's like I think I'm going to die if I don't see Parsifal four times...

**Amfortas** · May 28th, 2017, 04:54 AM

I'm not sure whether to buy one of those CDs or adopt it.

**leonora** · May 28th, 2017, 08:21 PM

My claim to fame in the musical world is that I sometimes cat-sit for Sarah Connolly. Once when I was on my way down to where she lives I had to change trains at Swindon, and during the wait I had this conversation...
Woman: what are you doing this weekend?
Me: Cat-sitting for Sarah Connolly.
Woman: Who is she?
Me: An opera singer.
Woman: oh, you mean like Katherine Jenkins?
Me: No, AN OPERA SINGER.

**Soave_Fanciulla** · May 28th, 2017, 09:13 PM

Originally Posted by leonora

My claim to fame in the musical world is that I sometimes cat-sit for Sarah Connolly. Once when I was on my way down to where she lives I had to change trains at Swindon, and during the wait I had this conversation...
Woman: what are you doing this weekend?
Me: Cat-sitting for Sarah Connolly.
Woman: Who is she?
Me: An opera singer.
Woman: oh, you mean like Katherine Jenkins?
Me: No, AN OPERA SINGER.

OMG when I think of the difference between the miked barbie doll and Sarah Connolly!

**Festat** · May 28th, 2017, 11:09 PM

Originally Posted by leonora

I sometimes cat-sit for Sarah Connolly.

The dream job I never knew I had.

**Clayton** · May 30th, 2017, 09:59 PM

Please let me know if you ever need an assistant.

**Ann Lander (sospiro)** · June 4th, 2017, 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by leonora

My claim to fame in the musical world is that I sometimes cat-sit for Sarah Connolly. Once when I was on my way down to where she lives I had to change trains at Swindon, and during the wait I had this conversation...
Woman: what are you doing this weekend?
Me: Cat-sitting for Sarah Connolly.
Woman: Who is she?
Me: An opera singer.
Woman: oh, you mean like Katherine Jenkins?
Me: No, AN OPERA SINGER.

Hahahahaha!