The Met goes to the Movies --Onegin
I had the pleasure of accompanying some friends to the opera today--not in the traditional sense, mind you, but as part of an encore performance of The Metropolitan Opera's HD Screening Series. It's a brilliant and convenient way to enjoy the opera, considering I do not live near Lincoln Center.
When I recall going to the Opera (I attended a production of Carmen several years ago), I envision a sea of black velvet and chiffon with gold accents and a number of gallant gestures as the attendees socialize before taking their seats, the audience becoming a performance unto itself. But today I, en route to Tchaikovsky's Onegin, layered a comfortable cotton shirt with a khaki jacket and jeans, the braided belt at my hips serving as my only gold accessory. I ordered popcorn, junior mints, bunch-a-crunch and a coke (I was sharing, there were four of us). We sat down in the sold out theater amidst a predominantly, but not entirely, aged crowd just as the "curtain" went up.
It was the most beautiful way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Not only were the performances so incredibly engaging (understatement) and the music exquisitely conducted by Valery Gergiev, but the story of Eugene Onegin (Dmitri Hvorostovsky) is one which all who have had their quick cut by the complexities born of the revelries of love, can most certainly relate. If not for this wonderful series, I likely never would have experienced the intensity of Lenski's (Ramón Vargas) anguish at the sight of Olga, his childhood love, engaging flirtatiously with the aristocratic suitor. Nor would I have shared in the virtuous Tatiana's (Renée Fleming) euphoria and ultimate devastation by the love of the magniloquent and dismissive Eugene Onegin (who some years later returns to discover his love for her. But their time has passed. Though the love remains, unrequited). There are some stories that are seemingly timeless.
On my way to the theater I bought a dress from Mango MNG (which was featured in the LA Times) and on my way out I picked up a pair of linen shorts from j. Crew in prep for Coachella. I don't believe I would have had the ability to do that at the Met.
There are more performances coming up.The Next Met Screening is April 28th: Puccini's Il Trittico.