Before I review the opera — has it really been SEVEN days since I last blogged? Let’s get to it!
New Years celebrations were great. Bottles of Champagne were consumed with dear friends in public places with fireworks. Gator’s birthday celebration was great. And then mom flew in, and we drank wine, sang Karaoke on the PS2, drank more wine, a few cosmos, made dinner, had fondue, went to Shedd, and watched 14,645 movies (including The Visitor, which was heartbreaking and remarkable).
And then opera day. My mom has never been to an opera, and I thought this would be the best introduction. And I was right! She loved it. But first: the dinner.
Getting reservations for dinner to make a 7:30 curtain is a chore, I’ve discovered. Most fancy places open at 6 (such as Spiaggia – “The Obama Restaurant”). And a few places have taken the January economic slump as a time for renovation (such as Coco Pazzo – “the Jeniffer Aniston Restaurant”). But One SixtyBlue took us in and got us out on time, and it was a GREAT meal. One of the best I’ve had. I recommend the lamb.
THE OPERA
I haven’t been to the opera in a few years. And my experience those last few times was pretty poor. But this time - THIS TIME! – amazing.
Patricia Racette was Butterfly. While I had a hard time believing she was a 15 year old geisha, she totally convinced me of her heartbreak and hope. A stunning singer (duh), she acted the role superbly, even for those of us crammed in the back under the mezzanine. (And, I just learned she’s an out and proud lesbian! Racette, not Butterfly – which I imagine would change things a bit if the reverse were true…)
Frank Lopardo as B.F. Pinkerton sang the role very well. I was surprised that he pretty much is out of the picture after act one. He got the appropriate “boos” at his curtain call.
The physical production. I’m going to say I was expecting more. The lighting wasn’t dynamic enough for me. And during intermission, I walked up to the stage to check out the set, which has been around since this production premiered in 1982, and it looks like it’s taken a beating. The fake plants were tattered, and scuff marks all over the perimeter. Harold Prince staged it quite well, but at times it seemed a bit congested with the chorus climbing on the rotating set piece.
BUT! The singing and the music and the performances were STUNNING.
Word of advice: Don’t ever use valet at the Lyric. It’s a madhouse, and you’ll be waiting for your car a good 40 minutes.
Video from the production we saw:
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I’m so glad you loved it! Patricia Racette is wonderful. I hope you will catch the Minghella version of Butterfly one day; it’s one of the most amazing things I’ve seen on stage.
I am glad you liked it ! I am seeing it next Monday and am looking forward to it. Both Racette and Lopardo are wonderful.
Patricia Racette is divine. I’m so glad you saw her in it! She’s the definitive Butterfly. Remind me to tell you about the time I met her when she was having her hair colored.