I’m being heckled by the Anthology’s biggest fan (my mother)

Why? Because mama wants more dirt on the opera. And, as everyone knows, you shouldn’t let down your fans. So ma, here you are:

The two female leads were incredible. Absolutely, positively, shivers-down-my-spine incredible. Kate Aldrich (Adalgisa) and Hasmik Papian (Norma) shone so bright they made me desperately wish I could sing. (Said my husband to me once: “Oh. I always thought you sang like that as a joke.”)

norma-manga-roy-husada

But I am a modern opera kind of gal. I love visual spectacle — outrageous costumes and conceptual sets. I would take the acrobatics and partial nudity of last season’s Rigoletto over a traditional interpretation any day.

Alain Coulombe Norma Vancouver Opera

I did love two things about about Oroveso’s costume (played by Alain Coulombe) — his cuffs and his overthrow (what do you call that? Technicolour dream coat?). Actually, his belt’s quite funky too.

norma-backstage-vo

Like the ballet, the opera has a soft spot in my heart. I’ve been a fan ever since Ms. F. took our class as part of our grade nine Humanities class. There is something about a big-budget, high-talent production that is so magical. Overwhelming almost. Plus — this time I actually got to go backstage.

Manga by Roy Husada, the first photo is by Tim Matheson. The last one is my own.

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8 Comments

  • Reply Bri November 30, 2009 at 11:40 pm

    um, i saw Joseph and the Technicolor dream coat like 50 times.

    how did the speech go darlin??

    xx Bri

  • Reply Kelsey December 1, 2009 at 10:21 am

    You did?!?! I love that musical. Actually, I love musicals in general.

    My lecture is tomorrow night, actually. And I’m so excited! I’ve been powerpointing up a storm. Thanks again for your contribution to it!

  • Reply Saskia December 2, 2009 at 4:53 am

    You got to go backstage? How amazing!!! I’m very envious!

    I absolutely LOVE anything in the theatre, ballet, opera, musicals, plays… Mr B and I went to see the 39steps on Monday a comedic version of the film… with only 4 actors. It was so clever and ever so funny :)

    xx

  • Reply slk December 2, 2009 at 2:05 pm

    I’d wear the whole outfit. Sans the stick.

  • Reply Kelsey December 3, 2009 at 9:57 pm

    Saskia — So fun. Such a brilliant date idea, too.

    SLK — You so would, wouldn’t you?

  • Reply camille December 14, 2009 at 5:36 am

    Hey Kelsey – found your blog via Sab’s flickr and her guest post, and it’s fabulous, obviously. But, giant nerdface that I am, the post I was moved to comment on is the opera one. Fioro was also the impetus for my opera love, and I remember getting season tickets to the next year’s season after the one we went to with school, just because it was that fun (and student prices were cheap, not gonna lie). I haven’t seen a professional opera in probably about 10 years now, though… envious!

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