Being in the audience, part two

#20. Go to a Met production of an opera by Mozart, Puccini, or Verdi.

This item on the list was actually planned in conjunction with going to see the ballet (because when NYCB and the Metropolitan Opera are literally next door to each other, obviously this is the best way to plan your 36 hours in NYC). I had been to the Met once before, in 2012 when my mom and I went to see Carmen. As I've become more knowledgeable about opera, the Italian composers have become my favorite, and I really wanted a chance to see one done with the best company in the country (and arguably the world). Also, the number of operas I've played FAR outweigh the number I've watched as an audience member. I wanted to change that. 

Thankfully, Sarah (who has also traveled abroad with me many times for the sake of this blog) was up for a trip from Philly! When I told her I was planning this trip, she said, "I'll come with you!" I bought us both tickets to Verdi's La Traviata and then waited anxiously for a month for the trip to come.
And finally, Leap Day and our opera day was here! We had a lovely and delicious dinner with Lisa (a high school friend) at a cheese and wine bar (Casellula, 52nd and 9th) to start off the evening. 

Oh my gosh you guys, look at ALL that cheese

Then, Sarah and I walked to Lincoln Center. It amazed me to see so many people at the Met on a Saturday night. I know NY has a population of millions of people, but it was still exciting and gratifying in a way to see SO many people congregating on Lincoln Center for a night of culture. We made it to the opera house and picked up our tickets and settled in for the story of a courtesan who finds true love and then is convinced by her lover's father to leave her lover. (Look, I never said I liked the plots of a lot of operas! But the music is great.)

We're so excited to see the Met opera!

This production was beautiful. The woman who sang Violetta, the main character, was just STUNNING. She was the standout by far. The set was gorgeous and the orchestra was absolutely top-notch. Sarah and I had a great time, and it was a treat to be in the audience instead of in the pit.

The height of this stage is massive and took me by surprise this time around as much as it did the first time I saw it.

Such beautiful chandeliers in this opera house!!

One happy lady in front of those iconic chandeliers after seeing this show.

While going to see productions like this and the ballet didn't require as much planning (or money) as something like a month-long trip to Europe, I think it was so important for me personally to remember why I chose to be a musician in the first place. Seeing stellar shows reminds me that art is such an important part of life: when people are hurting, art is something that can help to heal them. It was an important reminder for me to see and hear how beautiful music and movement can be. 

So, thank you, New York, for a truly spectacular 36 hours.

17 down. 13 to go!

"Ballet is created on beautiful lines and shapes." --Martin Fridmann

#19. Go to a professional ballet performance.

As a performer, I get to see all sorts of really cool things. But it's rare that I have a night off to be in the audience to witness other performers doing cool things. Ever since I won my job with ASO and Nutcracker takes over my life each December, I have become more and more enthralled with ballet dancers. The way they gracefully put themselves in decidedly uncomfortable positions is beyond intriguing to me. The mixture of their athleticism and artistry is a joy to watch, and so far I had only glimpsed portions of shows from the pit. I decided that if I was going to check this one off my list, I needed to see a top-notch company. So, I took off a weekend from teaching, booked myself a ticket to NYC, and found myself watching a show at the New York City Ballet on  the night of February 28th.

The program was a set of new choreography to three pieces rather than a single piece (like Swan Lake, for example). (Also, sidenote: I'm sure that there is a certain terminology for this in the dance world, but I don't know what it is! Can any dancers help me with this?)

I left Austin on Friday late morning, and arrived in NY around 4pm. I navigated from Queens to Manhattan, dropped my stuff off at my friends' place, and then went in search of dinner before the 8pm curtain.

Lincoln Center in all its glory

Inside the theatre lobby, there were giant portraits hanging from the balconies. An artist had interviewed over 100 of the behind-the-scenes personnel for NYCB, and painted their portraits. I can attest to the fact that the people not onstage are the unsung heroes of any production--without them, there would be no show! I thought this was a really special and unique way to honor them. 

When I bought my ticket, I knew that they were doing a piece by Ravel, but what I didn't know was that it was his Piano Concerto. This piece holds an incredibly dear spot in my heart, and the choreography to it was beautiful. The second movement was especially stunning. The middle piece was a premier by Nico Muhly, which was impressive but I can't say that I totally loved it. But, the last piece they did was absolutely amazing. The coordination, the music, the choreography that fit the music perfectly, the set, the movements...all of it was just breathtaking. I was on the edge of my seat the WHOLE time, and even though it was long-ish by ballet standards (~25 minutes), I could have watched for another hour. I was completely mesmerized.

I left the theatre wanting to immediately buy another ticket for a NYCB production. I'm so glad that I took the time to experience this for myself, and I can't wait to come back to NY...so I can see the ballet again!

16 down. 14 to go!