[17strings]

Late to the opera slide. I’ll have to say that as a musician, opera has been my absolute favorite genre when it comes to performance. But I hardly know more than the very rough outlines of the plots of most of them, let alone the words. I’ve been too busy playing down in the pit to be able to absorb much of that. But for me, it’s just the incredible sound - the music itself suggests enough of the drama going on that I don’t have to know the details to enjoy it. With the right mix of singers combined with the orchestra, it’s a musical “high” for me! I can listen to a recording, and it brings back the memories of the live performance, but it’s not the same thing.

[bagster]

I can listen to a recording, and it brings back the memories of the live performance, but it’s not the same thing.

Cool. Whaddya play, the fiddle?

I played the trombone as a youngster, but gave it up cause the music teacher guy in the high school was an ass. Kinda like the conductor in that great movie I forget the name of (with the drummer kid). I was good, too. First chair.

I did have the fortune of not being a 'band fag' all through high school. Haha. No disrespect. Times were different back when disco was king.

I can listen to a recording, and it brings back the memories of the live performance...

Now as to your point. Music, for me, should trigger thoughts and memories of life, not memories of making the art. That would be like a painter looking at his work and only thinking about his painting it. There has to be more. But it makes me happy to think of you gaining joy from your music. And I suppose the live performance WAS part of your life, technically.

Thanks for sharing.

[Biblical Calvinist]

17Strings..

Hear Hear! I love live performances as well.. however... while Dallas, Tx. DOES have an Opera company, they’ve not been very active this past year... Covid, tsk...

So, I’ve been “regulated” to what I can find on Youtube, or Spotify.. where we can find some fantastic performances.. yet... just between me and thou.. it’s simply not the same thing as actually BEING there in the theater.

I’m with you.. while I don’t really KNOW the words to each aria..I’m SOMEWHAT familiar with what the story is about... Thankfully, at most live performances; there is a large screen above the stage with the English translation printed out, so that those of us who are honest Opera noobs can follow the story.

But, you’re right.. the GLORIOUS SOUND can be overwelming... the MUSIC is the thing!