Opera Fix

Two different opera experiences this month and interesting to compare. I'm still an opera-goer though much less frequently than in previous years. I no longer share a Royal Opera House subscription with my friend - working away from home messes up those regular evenings out. So for the first time, I joined friends at a 'Live from the Met' performance of L'Elisir d'Amore, at the very comfortable Curzon Cinema. Of course, Donizetti's music is wonderful, Pretty Yende was sublime and the comedy was played up beautifully. But from my seat in the cinema, it all seemed to just pass me by. I didn't feel anything. The cinema screen acted as an actual barrier for me. I definitely enjoyed my evening out but the opera experience just didn't hit the spot. So when I went to see the V&A exhibition, Opera: Passion, Power & Politics, shortly after, I was half expecting to be similarly under-whelmed but in fact, I was totally blown away! The super headphones for the sound system were amazing. The experience was personally and totally immersive - how wonderful to be completely surrounded by shifting sounds and music as well as not being distracted by other visitors' chatter about their latest news and gossip. The very powerful exhibition themes were wonderfully demonstrated and 'played out' via a clever selection of seven operas (how on earth did they make the choice?!) from seven cities, accompanied by masses of costumes, musical instruments, maps, scene sets, paintings, hats, dresses, etc, etc. I positively danced out of that new Sainsbury Gallery. I can't wait for my next 'real' opera date which isn't until May at Glyndebourne - I'm going to need another 'fix' before then!