Metropolitan Opera

I first fell in love with the Met Opera years ago when I was fortunate enough to get orchestra tenth row seats to a french opera "Palias & Melisande" starring Frederica von Stade. I was devastated by its beauty and make it a point to go to the opera several times a season every since. The Met production of Aida is glorious indeed, and especially when Delores Vijick plays the Egyptian princess supporting role.

This week I checked out an obscure opera called Rhodalinda that has not been done at the Met for many years. Renee Fleming was the star and she sang beautifully, she is in fantastic voice. Playing her husband was David Daniels, regarded by many as the world's finest couhter-tenor. However because he is a counter-tenor and also a huge queen, his scenes with Renee were full-on vagiha, very dyke. He was in excellent voice too. Otherwise the story is forgettable, Fleming and Daniels carry the show but it is worth seeing for them alone.

I love the whole ritual of going to the opera in general and how devout people are. The Met is one of the reasons why New York is STILL a fierce & fascinating town.

Well, I've never been to the opera in New York, but have been meaning to go. What's the word on the street re: hot productions for early '05? Is La Bo-Heem even still going? If nothing else, it's an excuse to put on some finery.

Not a Met production for the new season (that I know of) but...I just received for my b-day, "Salome" by Richard Strauss, very demented and beautiful. I got the version with Cheryl Studer as the soprano...she sounds hot!