Before leaving home, Richard’s employer Macquarie Chapel (known affectionately as Macchap) gave us a generous cash gift so that we could afford to do ‘that something’ that the budget did not allow. That ‘something’ arrived on Day 43. Through the kindness of Macchap we were able to participate in something that we have never done before. It was a real treat! We have never previously enjoyed this form of art, though at various times we have both wondered what it would be like. So after a little bit of wardrobe creativity ( we really did not bring clothes for such an occasion) it was off to the Vienna Opera House to see our first ever opera – Falstaff by Verdi.
The opera was a bright and colourful comedy and with the help of the little digital subtitle screens in front of our seats we enjoyed this event far more than we imagined. Firstly it is difficult to describe this huge, ornate wedding-cake styled opera house and the effect it had upon all of our senses as we sat in the audience, even before a note was played . The members of the audience were elegant and yet there was a diversity of age, backgrounds and dress standards and luckily Richard was not the only patron in jeans. The orchestra was, of course, magnificent. The set was huge and wonderfully creative. The singing was powerful and impressive. And Verdi’s ‘silly’ story was quite humorous (of course Richard laughed louder than most) yet at other times it was very moving as some of life’s big issues such as honour, virtue and the folly of being a man were considered with style, humour, colour and music.
We had read that opera was the prince of the arts and tonight we were indeed royally blessed. Thanks Macchap.
2 comments:
Pleased you enjoyed Falstaff - it's a great show. Now Megan and I expect to see you both at the SYDNEY Opera House (it's much cheaper than Vienna!)
Sounds great, and pleased its cheaper - nice to hear from you kim - regards to megan too
richard and wendy
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