Feeding my culture needs!

Yes! I am a geek! I will be the first to admit it. On a day when most people are donning their college colors, eating tailgate favorites and swigging beer, I sat in a theater, with a small crowd of "Seniors". We all had one common interest and a need to be enlightened and full-fill our cultural needs.

One of the great things about living in this city is access. There are several theaters in the area that offer Fanthom Events. What are Fanthom Events you ask? Well....since 2006 cinema audiences world wide have been provided with live exclusive cinema events. The events are usually a live feed from The Metropolitan Opera houses in New York City and London. This years events are: Anna Bolena, Don Giovanni, Rodelinda, Faust, The Enchanted Island, La Traviata to name a few. The ticket price is a little steep. But, spending $22.00 on a saturday afternoon to watch a live four hour performance by professionals, in one of the two prestigious  theaters is well worth it. At first I was hesitant to spend the money. But, after seeing Anna Bolena today I do not regret it. I am hooked! What a wonderful opportunity this provides for audiences wishing to attend. I know I will never get the opportunity to attend an Opera in the London Metropolitan House, but today, I was there.


Of course, I did my homework and looked up information on Anna to get a general idea of what type of storyline they would use. Her story was scandalous.  The second wife to King Henry VIII.  We all know that once your a cheater your always a cheater, right? Well, that would be King Henry. He annulled his marriage to Catherine to marry Anna. Together they bore one child, Elizabeth I of England, and after Anna couldn't produce a male heir Henry began courting her lady in waiting Jane Seymour. Wanting Jane and needing Anna out of the picture he had her investigated for high treason. She was sent to the Tower of London, was tried by a court of her peers and, found guilty. She was beheaded, as was her secret betrothed Henry Percy.


That's pretty much what happened, we started with the discord between Anna and Henry, the lusting he had for Jane and then Anna's demise, turmoil, her maddening scene in the tower just before her beheading and ultimately, her death. The music was beautifully written by Donzetti, they sang in Italian, and the aria's were stoic and gripping. The actors portrayals were top notch. And the orchestration as performed by the orchestra led by,  Marco Armiliato was phenomenal!

The ill fated queen Anna was played by Anna Netrebko. Her portrayal was beautiful, gut wrenching and maddening. In my opinion she nailed it! The other cast members held your attention, hit every note and stayed within character. Why wouldn't I have expected this from an Opera being fed live from The London Met?

If you love classical music, opera's and need your fix. Find a theater that offers these. It will now be my little taste of culture, the thing I set my mad money aside for. The next one on the schedule that I am interested in is Don Giovanni. I am definately seeing it and I'm gonna drag Colleen with me. She shows and interest and maybe she will love it to. Don't get me wrong, I don't love all opera's. There are plenty of them that I don't understand, can't focus on and just have no interest in seeing. But, if I get the chance to see one I know, love or am curious about the staging, and costuming, I am in!

Long story short, I spent the most wonderful Saturday afternoon, in my local movie theater with a big huge popcorn, a 1/2 gallon sized soda pop, and a bunch of people no younger than 70 years old, watching Opera Live from The London Metropolitan Opera, and I loved it! It was just what my restless soul needed.