The Tyee held a contest to find a reader who would accompany writer and opera buff David Tracey to Madama Butterfly on opening night. All entrants were opera newbies and had to explain why they wanted to go and why they feared the opera. Funny and heart-tugging responses came flooding in and the winner by random draw was Michael Bean.
Here's his winning email:
"I don't 'get' opera. The last time I went with a friend was years ago. She cried, I tried to stay awake. I'm a sensitive guy. I feel things. I watch chick flicks and occasionally cry. But I am completely unmoved by opera, despite my best efforts. I appreciate the musicality, I have some pieces in my music library that I love, I just don't understand the emotional engagement that seems to go with people's experience of watching it live. I end up reading subtitles and then getting drowsy.
"It's possible I just had lousy seats. I have no desire to be a philistine. I want to like capital-O Opera, I really do. Help a guy out. Michael Bean"
So after the curtain came down on Saturday, what did The Tyee's Tracey think of Madama Butterfly?
I didn't flood the lower bowl with tears, but I thought the singers were excellent, and the orchestra under conductor Jonathan Darlington just seems to get better with each production offered. I happen to like Puccini, enough to forgive him his flaws which include being too emotionally manipulative at times, but when the talent is up to his score, the results, as in this production, are admirable. - David Tracey
And opera newbie Michael?
With the second act, though, all the exposition from the beginning came together. That's when I got it. I thought the whole thing came to life, and even some of the set designs made sense. I really enjoyed it. A few moments I found genuinely moving. I can see now how opera is unapologetically art. I want to see more. - Michael Bean
Chalk it up to the art form that is opera! We have another convert!
To read more from The Tyee, click here.
~ Ling Chan, Social Media Manager
No comments:
Post a Comment