Saturday, April 24th, 2010...6:38 pm
At the Opera
And yes, I am blogging in the foyer of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. We’re about to go backstage but before we do, I’ve been reading the synopsis and here’s the story in a simplified nutshell: Figaro and Susanna are engaged.
One problem though: he’s a valet and she’s a maid. Which would be fine except that their master, the lecherous Count, has a thing for Susanna and intends to claim his feudal right to take a manservant’s place on his wedding night.
Oh dear.
But this being opera there are love triangles a-plenty and Figaro and Susanna are only one of the many would-be couples facing drama trauma. Who will outwit whom? Who will disguise himself as a woman to learn dirty secrets? Who will end up in a much older suitor’s bed?
I can’t wait to find out. To read the full Manga, click here.
Update: After heading backstage for a pre-show talk (see my friend Briony exploring above), we’re sitting front row, which is fantastic (unless you want to read the surtitles) but we get to see the opera the way the conductor sees the opera, which means we have a clear view of all the sweat and the spit.
And this is how polluted my brain is: I’m watching Mozart’s masterpiece and I can’t help but think of Gossip Girl. Figaro and Susanna = Dorota and Vanya. I mean, really.
But the Marriage of Figaro is to the opera world what the Nutcracker is to the ballet world: it is accessible, popular, and full of melodies anyone would recognize. Which is why Briony and I are having an absolute blast.
10 Comments
April 24th, 2010 at 8:43 pm
You have just achieved something I thought impossible, Kelsey…making me interested in a Manga. I thought I would never see the day; but this one is fantastic – love triangles always are! :)
April 25th, 2010 at 10:22 am
Let’s see the dress. Surtitles? More on the opera please.
April 25th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
More full body shots of the dress c’mon!!!
April 26th, 2010 at 11:59 am
oh wow im incredibly jealous i always wanted to go to the opera and precisely to see this legendary opera
love that cute cartoon you included
April 26th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
You look gorgeous! The shortened bridal gown reminds me a bit of what Grace Kelly wore in the opening scene of Rear Window. And The Marriage of Figaro sounds like it was a joy to watch. Maybe the boy and I will consider getting tickets for it.
April 26th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
I’m with Larissa and Irene, more full outfit shots c’mon! ;)
May 3rd, 2010 at 8:30 am
[...] If you need a second opinion before buying the tickets, Tris Hussey, Gus Fosarolli, Peter Andersen, Kelsey Dundon, and Vancouver Opera’s blog will provide you with all good reasons to make this [...]
May 4th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
Hi I was there too! It was fab! <3
May 4th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
ps, wheres ur dress from??!!
May 11th, 2010 at 10:23 am
Cafe Fashionista — Seriously. The opera does such a brilliant job of marketing their goods. Manga? Opera? Love it!
Irina — Surtitles are like subtitles, but they’re above the stage. You should go see Madama Butterfly!
Larissa — Posted more shots for ya!
Nadia — You should go. You’d especially love the costumes and the staging and all that razzle dazzle.
Lisa — Yes! Love that Grace Kelly dress.
SLK — You got ‘em, my friend.
Tanya — Did you love it? I found the dress at a thrift store and had it altered. It’s my new favourite.
Talk to me!