I've always wanted to watch an opera. The reason is as simple as because my favorite book/film had a scene where a couple save up money to go and watch an opera together. That was enough to make 14 year-old Shiho to believe that watching an opera is cool. It's silly, but that's how I am. (I am pretentious and am easily influenced.)I never managed to watch any opera until today because:
1) Operas are expensive (so much more than ballet)
2) Because I didn't know which one is a good one to watch
Yes, operas are expensive and I discovered that the audience were posh too. That definitely isn't a bad thing by the way. I like being surrounded by well-dressed people.
I like the story of "Die Zauberflöte". Especially because it changes its enemy halfway. That lesson can be put along the lines of "Don't believe something is bad/good just because someone told you so but you have to investigate it yourself to make any decision". That goes perfectly with the book I just finished reading by Enrich Fromm "Escape from Reality". That book basically talks about the same thing but in social psychology terms.
Obviously I cannot comment what I just watched of the Royal Opera was any better than other operas, but I did enjoy it a lot. It's really impressive how singers can fill their voices in the theater. It must feel really good to be able to do so.
前々からずーっとオペラが観てみたかった。・・・なんて書くと、オペラのテープを聴き、ビデオを観て、「ああ、いつか本物が観てみたい！」と思っていたかのような言い方だけれど、そんなことはまったくなく、オペラなんてCDで聴いたことすらなかった。
でも、観てみたかったのは本当。『GO』という本・映画で、高校生の杉原と桜井が、バイトをしてお金を貯めて２人で『椿姫』のオペラを観に行こうとするのが、なんとなくかっこよくて、中学の頃から憧れがあった。表面的な憧れからとはいえ、ようやく行けたことはやはり嬉しい。