GOLD

An inner longing that recently became more conscious surfaced recently---Wagner operas!! I don't recall ever having seen one, but now that the Met is doing the entire Ring Cycle, and putting them out for all of us in high definition on the huge screen, I ran to get tickets! The first in the cycle, Das Rheingold, was shown here in Boulder this past Wednesday, and we were there, for every minute of its 3 1/2 hours. And what a show!
First I have to say that opera today is nothing like what it was in my youth---a few fat people standing around, staring into space, and singing unintelligibly. Action and looks are right up at the top of the menu, and the singing is as glorious as ever. The words appear discretely in English at the bottom of the screen, and it's all happening right there in front of you, larger than life. And if you have the bladder of a camel, you don't miss a thing!
The set was amazing---some stage-sized panels that are turned in various directions to represent flowing water, (with undulations), stairs and pathways, buildings (like the palace of Valhalla) among other things; characters floating through space (thanks to thin strong wires);lighting that makes people look on fire and shows the gold at the bottom of the Rhine in cascades of molten yellow. The actors were realistically chosen, and in good voice. It was a fabulous show.
In April or May the next Ring opera (Die Walkure), will open---and we will be there!