Thursday, January 8, 2009

Don Giovanni at The Metropolitan Opera


My husband and I saw the composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's opera Don Giovanni at The Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Columbus Ave. at 64th St, New York City in December.
The opera synopsis can be read on The Met's web site here.

The very charasmatic and handsome Erwin Schrott stared as opera’s greatest lover, with an ensemble of both up-and-coming and veteran Met stars, including Tamar Iveri, Isabel Leonard, Matthew Polenzani, and Ildebrando d'Arcangelo.

Mr. Schrott was asked the following question in an interview about the opera, and his answer sums up the opera plot very vividly:

"Q:Mozart wrote the opera in the 1780s. Why does this character continue to interest us?

A: There are still plenty of Giovannis in the world! The opera is a psychological essay on infidelity, betrayal, and men always being on the verge of moral corruption. It's very contemporary, if you think of it in these terms!"
The Metropolitan Opera has an illustrious 125 year history, and costumes from past opera performances are on display on the various floors of the opera house. Here are a few examples and the operas they appeared in ( click the photo to enlarge to read the text)



and







This is a view from the upper tier atrium looking down at the grand staircase and The Grand Tier Restaurant.

The iconic floating chandeliers that look like stars which hang in the lobby and inside the auditorium.

A close up:


The Metropolitan stage from the Family Circle section --The lights have just been raised and the opera will begin soon.


The final curtain call bow of the Don Giovanni cast. Bravo!

Some opera extras:
Do you love opera, think you have the talent to be an opera singer, or know someone who hopes to be one? Watch this film clip of a new movie called "The Audition."

Information from the web site:

"Coming in spring 2009, The Audition, directed by award-winning filmmaker Susan Froemke, looks at the intense pressures young opera singers face as they struggle to succeed in one of the most difficult professions in the performing arts. The feature-length documentary takes you behind the scenes at the Metropolitan Opera's National Council Auditions, where each year thousands of hopefuls compete for a cash prize, the chance to sing on the Met stage–and the opportunity to launch a major operatic career."


If you'd like to view a short video of clips from various operas from the Metropolitan '08 and '09 season go here. I think you'll be amazed by both the quality of the performance and the pageantry of the staging!

Opera -- try it, you'll like it!

26 comments:

Just A Girl said...

Hi Pat,
Hey I'm the first person to post a comment! How exciting! I don't think I've ever been first in your comment box.
You are so lucky to live so close to the Met and have season tickets. The movie theaters here have started showing productions here on Fridays so I'll have to see if Don G. is showing. This is terrible, but the only production of Don G. that I have seen is the one staring Bugs Bunny. I am seriously lacking in culture...hee hee!
I hope your week is going well.

xo Cori

Anonymous said...

Pat~

This such a wonderful post, I must show my husband. He has been wanting to take me to the Met for to see an opera, for a very long time.

One of our alltime favorite movies is "Moonstruck" with Cher & Nicholas Cage. We absolutely love the part when they are at the Metropolitan Opera together.

Every time we watch it, my hubby says "We just HAVE to go there next time we are in New York!"

Thank you so much for sharing the beautiful music and photos as the historical background on the Met:-)

I will be back soon to show my hubby your post!!!

Anonymous said...

Makes me feel like I'm right there! I love ya!!!!

Vee said...

I've only ever truly "enjoyed" one...La Traviata. That's the extent of my opera understanding. I'm off to research Kirsten Flagstad...I have a niece who could pass for that gal and who even shares her name.

Thank you for all your educational and fascinating posts. Keep buying tickets to anywhere so we can come along for the ride.

Willow said...

Wow! Season tickets to the Met! That's exciting!

I've never tried opera. Maybe I'd like it!

steviewren said...

Pat, I'm like Rachael. The closest I've ever been to the opera was while watching Moon Stuck...and wasn't there an opera scene in the Manchurian Candidate too? But after reading your post while listening to your playlist, I'm sure I would love to go at least once. I found a children's book about the opera recently at the thrift store. I think I'll post some pictures from it tonight.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Pat, I feel like I was there with you. Thank you for sharing such an exciting time and such a wealth of information about opera. I love Luciano... and faithfully view the clips of him on You-Tube. One of my greatest regrets is not having made the effort to see him in person. I adore his voice and the man. I love the fact that he started his career singing in the church choir with his precious father. Anyhow, I do love opera, and I enjoyed this post.

Sending much love to you this Thankful Thursday, and I'm thankful that I found YOU and YOUR BLOG! :-)

XO,

Sheila... who loves those baby pics on your side panel! :-)

Kathy said...

I have never been to the opera. The costumes look wonderful and I enjoyed the audio on your blog. Thanks for sharing.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

I do love it. My husband and I were once at Abbey Road Studio and were shown the room where all the Beatle songs were recorded. There on the stool were a pair of glasses, a coffe cup and a piece of sheet music. They belonged to Kiri Te Kanawa who had just stepped out to lunch. It was almost too much to take in for one afternoon.

Southern Lady said...

What an exciting and beautiful experience for you, Pat. Thank you for sharing it with us.

And speaking of exciting and beautiful ... Leo is truly a little angel! What a wonderful Christmas present for all of your family.

Sincerely,

Janie

Unknown said...

I love the theatre Pat, but sadly we dont have opera here..but I remembered going to the theatres very often in London to see the operas when I was there. Wish I could come :D

MJ Ornaments said...

That's why I want to visit New York Pat! Hopefully someday. The Met looks like so much fun. Glad you shared it.
Take care,
Martha

Catherine said...

I love opera! This is a great post! Wonderful pictures.

Cathy

Camille said...

I've wanted to see an opera for a very long time. I have never been. This was a great post and I enjoyed listening to Caruso sung by Bocelli

aliceinparis said...

Congratulations! You are a winner! But you always knew that, right?
Pop over and see:)
Cheers, Shelagh

Judy said...

Well, thanks for taking us along, Pat! That's likely as close as I'll ever get to the Met...and you are always such a wonderful tour guide. I so enjoyed listening to Andre Bocelli this morning as well.

Junie Moon said...

What a truly wonderful experience. I love the costumes. New York really has the most amazing opportunities and it's grand to know someone who actually pursues them. I try to do the same here in my little town of Tucson, which is far removed from all that New York offers but is still fun anyway.

Anonymous said...

Hia Pat what a lovely place to have an evening out. The costumes are so beautiful.

I've just watched August Rush on DVD again as my cultural experience of the evening. If you haven't seen it I'd recommend it- good soundtrack as well as story.

GMG said...

Hi Pat! New Year, Old Troubles... No, I’m not talking about the frosty weather, just the office... Another hectic week! ;)
Have seen some Opera at the Met, but it's too large for my taste... ;)
Don Giovanni is in this season Programme of the São Carlos Opera House in Lisbon and we have a season ticket... But it will be only in June... Next Friday we have Gounoud's «Faust». Hopefully great!!
Thanks for your comments at Blogtrotter, now with new posts on Delhi! Enjoy and have a great weekend!

Strider said...

I bet you're going through 'Leo' withdrawls! Lucky and I are missing the grandsons right now.....but we did need to recover some before the missing set in!!!! Have a great weekend.

Rhonda Hartis Smith said...

Well I have to admit I've never been to an opera either but I would like to go someday. I'd like to see a Broadway show too someday. . .

Have a great weekend,
Rhonda

Kathy said...

Pat the Met looks wonderful I am so glad you enjoyed Don Giovanni we saw it at the Opera house in SF two years ago. I went straight to their web site when I read this post last night, we have decided on La Traviata in June this year, it's a new style of performance but Anna Netrebko is Violetta and we have read such wonderful reviews of her. I am looking forward to the film 'Audition', the clip looks excellent.I am enjoying your music too, have a wonderful weekend, hugs, Kathy.

Anonymous said...

Very cool! Sounds like you had a nice evening at The Met.

Paz

Proud Italian Cook said...

Awesome post Pat! One day I hope to go to the Met. Maybe we can go together :)

Lisa's RetroStyle said...

Wonderful post Pat. I love the lights!

Ciao Chow Linda said...

Hello Pat - I just discovered your blog and am having fun perusing it. It looks like we have a lot in common - love of food, opera, art and all things Italian. We were at the Met on Tuesday night and will be back to hear Netrebko in Lucia. I'll be checking your blog periodically now that I've found it.