Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Il Trittico at The Metropolitan Opera at Linclon Center, NYC

Every time I arrive at The Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, I feel just like the character Loretta did in the movie "Moonstruck." No matter how many times I go, I am always in awe when I first walk up the steps of the Josie Robertson Plaza and see the beautiful new fountain and the Metropolitan Opera house in the background.

To my left is the newly named David H. Koch Theater, where "The Nutcracker" ballet is now in production. ( almost all photos will enlarge when clicked on)


To my right is Avery Fisher Hall


There are many more theaters located in other areas of the Lincoln Center Performing Arts complex, but these three are the most predominant and easily seen from the street.

On Tuesday evening we attend the The Metropolitan Opera’s new production of “Il Trittico,” composer Giacomo Puccini’s triptych of three one-act operas, which is the most elaborate productions in the company’s current repertory.

The first opera is "Il Tabarro” followed by "Suor Angelica" and finally "Gianni Schicchi" with an intermission between each to allow for the elaborate sets to change.
Our seats are in a Dress Circle box this year. There are wonderful acoustics in these seats but slightly partial view of the stage, which honestly has not added to our experience. We have been attending opera for many years and every now and then try a different location just to make it a different experience, but I do not think we'll order side box seats again unless it is absolutely necessary.

A view of the Swarovski crystal chandelier lights after they have risen to the ceiling of the opera house just before the lights dim and the music begins. It is always a moment of anticipation and excitement as I know I will be spending the next few hours hearing the most beautiful music in a setting that will transport me to another location, and another place in time.

The full synopsis of the three one act operas can be read at this link on the Metropolitan Opera web site.


Each time the curtain rose the audience applauded for the set designs by Douglas W. Schmidt.

The photo above is of the set for the first one act opera, "Il Tabbaro." Set on a barge in the Seine in Paris, the part of Georgetta was played by the soprano Patricia Racette.

Ms Racette mastered the feat of doing the main soprano role in all three opera acts this evening, as did mezzo soprano Stephanie Blythe who did the supporting roles is all three of the operas. Both were mesmerizing!

Il Tabarro is a story of faded love, jealousy and revenge and portrays death as the brutal justice exacted by a wronged husband upon his wife’s lover.

A photo of the end of the second opera "Suor Angelica."

Suor Angelica takes place in a convent where Sister Angelica was placed because she disgraced her family by giving birth to an illegitimate child. The fervor of repentance is destroyed when her aunt visits after a seven year absence to make Angelica sign over her inheritance to her younger sister. She in turn tells her that her child has died. In anguish Angelica chooses suicide as the young nun desperately yearns to be with her dead child in paradise. It was hard to keep a dry eye as you watch her agony and hear the celestial choir singing.


The opening set of 'Gianni Schicchi"

In the irreverent “Gianni Schicchi” death is a pesky impediment to the greedy relatives of wealthy Buoso Donati who has willed his entire estate to a monastery. They are persuaded by a young Rinuccio to let his girlfriend Lauretta's father Gianni Schicchi help them to change the will so that they can earn the inheritance they believe is rightly theirs. What results is slapstick type humorous deception that made the audience chuckle and laugh many times in amusement. If anything, the aria "Un Mio Babbino Caro" sung in Gianni Schicchi is worth the price of admission.

The final bow and curtain call of the Gianni Schicchi cast. Sorry for the blurriness of the photo, as I took these photos with my little pocket camera and no flash.

It was a magnificent evening!

Sadly due to ongoing construction, Lincoln Center Plaza did not have a Christmas tree this holiday season for the second year in a row.

A smaller tree covered in blue lights and fanciful Jane Jenni melamine plates with the assistance of the American Folk Art Museum was placed across the street in Dante Park in a Winter's Eve celebration by the Lincoln Square Business Improvement District which you can see above.

Some close ups of some of the cute designs of the plates:




It was pretty, in a colorful cheerful way, but lacked the grandeur of the usual Lincoln Center Christmas tree which may not be back next year either as construction is not expected to be fully completed until 2011.

I couldn't resist showing this photo I took as we drove close to Times Square when we left after the opera finished after midnight. Less crowds, but still ablaze with lights! New York is truly a "city that never sleeps!"

At one point the only cars surrounding us were taxi cabs zipping around trying to pick up or drop off fares.

One last look at the large bright moon that was in the sky that night -- " La Bella Luna" as it is said in Italian.

It was definitely a magical moon struck night!


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32 comments:

RNSANE said...

Pat, your evening all seemed so magical. Having been to Lucca, home of Giacomo Puccini, my past two birthdays, I have a special place in my heart for him but I have never been to one of his operas! I've also been to La Scala in Milan - but not to an opera! Such a shame, really. I did love all your descriptions, though! Your descriptions made me feel as though I were right there with you!

dianasfaria.com said...

This sounds like an amazing evening Pat. Thanks for sharing. I must go see an opera now!

Gracie said...

It looks like a very nice night out! It's easy to understand you really like opera by the words you use and the enthusiasm you put in them!
Gracie at http://mylittleplace.blog.com

Kat said...

What a grand evening! As soon as I saw your first picture, I knew where you were taking us! The sets look amazing, I'm always astounded at what set designers can accomplish. And that tree is adorable. Thank you so much for the virtual trip to the opera. I hope one day to visit Lincoln Center in person. Kathy

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful evening Pat. Thanks for sharing. We have a busker here who sings a lot of arias. One person heard her and she is now being offered a show of her own in the local theatre.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-CjIgmmbHU

A real Christmas story.

Ciao Chow Linda said...

Pat, I feel the same way you do when I approach the Met, no matter how many times I've been. I like the new Trittico production, particularly the Gianni Schicchi set. We're going to see Tales of Hoffman in a couple of weeks. I'll be sorry not to see the old Christmas tree with the instruments. By the way, it's "O Mio Babbino Caro," as she pleads "Oh my dear Daddy."

Anonymous said...

Your experience...
Your photos......
Your misic.....
Words fail me.....

Amazing!!

Happy Holidays!
Love,
Marilyn

Beverly said...

Pat, thank you, thank you, thank you for this post.

I've always dreamed of seeing a performance at The Metropolitan Opera, and this post is almost like being there.

I am enthralled.

Claudia said...

Trying to get a can after a performance at Lincoln Center brings about one of the my more memorable stories ever.
So the NY State Theatre is now the David Koch Theatre? Live and learn. Glad you had such a lovely evening. All looks so splendid. One of my former students sings there on and off.

RoeH said...

If I ever get to NYC before I die, I'm callin' you up and we're going there. I've always wanted to see that place and whatever is playing.

Christine Darling said...

What an incredible evening you must have had. I wish I was just a tiny bit closer to NYC.

Jenny said...

I'm loving the trips into the "big city" with you. I admire how much you explore and enjoy where you live. You're so neat Pat!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Thank you for the correction linda! I must have have had my "bambino"n my mind..lol..I corrected it to read "Babbino" for dear daddy.

It must be a common mistake because I noticed the playlist song I found ( the only one for this aria) had the same error, so everyone please disregard that as I can't correct playlist.

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Pat, Now this is the way to enjoy the holiday's...begin with magic at the opera. That tree is so pretty, and the night looks like it was just dreamy. I am so happy to see that you had such a lovely time. I hope that your foot is much better now.
♥, Susan

Shellbelle said...

Pat, thanks for taking us all with you and giving us such a thoughtful, detailed post.

I love those adorable plates on the Blue Tree!

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

Oh, still no Lincoln Center tree! :-( That one really is my favorite and I wasn't sure if they were doing it again.

Sounds like the opera was an amazing night! I haven't been in a couple of years but I really do love a good one (I have to admit, I've been to a couple of dogs there!).

The Quintessential Magpie said...

I love going to the opera with you, and I always love seeing the NYC sights. So beautiful, particularly at Christmas!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Oh how lucky you are Pat to get to go to the Met... That would be a dream come true for me.. Wow!!!

I majored in Voice (and Music Education) in college --and sand "O Mio Babbino Caro" in one of my recitals. It is a fabulous aria --and I can still sing it --in my mind.

Hugs,
Betsy

Sara said...

Pat, I am new to your blog - and I was so thrilled to find it...

Mainly because I love NYC - and miss my NYC fix. I was in attendance there every year for six years - but,that ended in 1998.

Your evening at the Opera sounds wonderful! Thank you for sharing it with us!

♥Mimi♥ said...

Thank you so much for the wonderful tour of your world. It certainly is a magical place. I've always told friends that I was born to live in New York. Well, I ended up in the mid-west and it looks like that is where I will stay but, my goodness, I envy what you get to see every day - you are so fortunate.

Anonymous said...

You are one lucky girl. What I would give to go there. I love the opera. What a grand evening you must have had.Thanks for sharing with us.

Lisa said...

Thank you for taking us along on your fabulous night out! The operas sound amazing. You could write Clif Notes I think. :) I know the Lincoln Center tree is not as grand as usual, but the little plates are so sweet and charming. Thanks for the close ups!

Pat said...

How absolutely lovely! Happy Holidays to you and yours.

Anonymous said...

How lovely! Oh my goodness. . . the music!

Just yesterday I was in Atlanta babysitting our grandsons there and the 3-year-old, exhausted from his efforts to wear me out (he had success!) took an "accidental" nap. He was in my lap and I didn't want to wake him by fiddling to find music to keep the sound of his big brothers clomping in from school to wake him.

Since I have you on Favorites, one Click to your blog gave me music to keep him snoozing for over two hours. His mommy may not have appreciated it when bedtime rolled around but I was most grateful!

I'd like to play today's music for myself tonight! Even the moon is cooperating!

steviewren said...

Pat, how wonder to listen to "Un Mio Babbino Caro" while reading your great post. I almost felt like I was there for a second.

diane b said...

Great post, lovely photos (I'm surprised they allow photos in the opera theatre. New york is a beautiful city. I envy your night out.

Anonymous said...

Morning, Pat! Oh, how wonderful! I've been to the Lincoln Center a few times and Dear One, you're always reminding me of another reason why I love New York so much!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

GMG said...

Hi Pat! Lincoln Center is looking lovely.. and i'm missing it...
And I know what slightly partial view means... ;))

There is a weird bridge waiting for you at Blogtrotter. Enjoy and have a great weekend!!

Carole Burant said...

Oh, Pat, what a magnificent evening for sure! I have never been to an opera...I know, I'm sooo deprived! lol I've also never been to NYC but have heard how wonderful it is to be there. I so enjoyed looking at all your photos!! xox

Sea Witch said...

Fanastic evening you had and wonderful photos. I'm home sick. Now, I must ask you, is that Patience or Fortitude that is wearing the wreach and bow on his proud neck? Sea Witch

Marg said...

I remember driving past the Opera House, but you have made this post exceptional. The next time I go to NY, I want to see a live production...What an experience. It reminded me of my tours and musicals in Vienna and Salzburg. My eyes and heart were lit like a small child waiting for Christmas.

Sue said...

Hi Pat....It did look like you were in the same box as Miss B...but did you wear your faux pearls and Coco Chanel jacket?...I have never been to the opera there but it looks amazing...I will have to have the daughter take me...