MonicaRichards

We are going to be in Verona and are able to see one of two operas, Carmen or Aida. We are not opera people, but we love musicals and want our kids to have the experience of seeing an opera in the ampitheater. They are ages 11 and 13 and also love musicals. Which would be better? The story line to Carmen seems easier to follow, but is it? Help!

bvlenci

I was once at the opera in Verona, and I would say that 90% of the people there were not opera people, or even music people. Many of them talked throughout the performance, and they were constantly taking flash photos.

I suggest that you have your kids read a plot summary of each of them and then decide. Both are "easy" operas, probably because they wouldn't try a difficult one on that audience.

I think it's worth the money to get the numbered seats, or better, because those who had general admission seats lined up hours before to try for the better seats, and then there was a mad rush when they opened the gates. We had the poltrone, or the poltronissime, which I thought were worth the cost, although even the people with the expensive seats were talking during the performance. I wouldn't recommend anything less than the numbered seats, though. The people with numbered seats, as well as the general admission people, were bringing cushions with them to ease the discomfort of sitting on stone seats. I don't know if they brought their own or it they were available for rent.

sandralist

Both operas last until well after midnight, so it may not matter if the kids are following the plot. They might end up asleep or you might have gone home before the finale.

Previous productions of both these operas are on Youtube. That might help you decide.

http://www.classical-music.com/blog/carmen-children

https://www.prx.org/pieces/97205-cla...pe-verdi-progr

http://wagonersabroad.com/time-to-se...-verona-italy/

http://www.soultravelers3.com/2010/0...al-travel.html

sandralist

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=556X9XAUs_Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kRfRlT4yvg

greg

There are many ways to make a decision.
<u>Understandability of the story line</u>. You have already looked at this.
<u>The country of orginin</u>. Aida is an Italian while Carmen is a French opera.
<u>Sets</u>. Depending on the set, Aida can take advantage of the large arena theater stage.
<u>Frequency of performances</u>. If you enjoyed the opera and want to see opera after coming home, one of them may be easier to see than the other. Look at the past performance history to see what tend to come back often or even look at the schedule for the 2014-2015 season. Carmen is in my home city about once every 6 years but only once every 10 years for Aida. If I have a chance to see <i>Prince Igor</i> at any place I would be visiting, that would supersede all other performances. <i>Prince Igor</i> has never been and would unlikely to be ever performed in my home city.
<u>Review of this particular production</u>. Unfortunately, it is hard to find reviews until the first night.

asps

Well, you have almost three choices, as Aida will be performed both in the futuristic Fura del Baus production and as the revival of the classic 1913 production. All three choices (Carmen, Aida futuristic and Aida classic) are more than feasible - personally I would choose according to the singers' list (but I belong to the notoriously difficult opera people).

Neither Aida nor Carmen were originally conceived for outdoor performance. But Aida is a grand opera, with ballet numbers and a couple of very large scenes requiring a large choir and many extras, so it scales better to the large stage. - Still, after the second act crazy final extravaganza, it scales down to almost a chamber opera size as the conflicts between characters take hold of the plot. The plot is very much a fake one - the opera being commissioned by an Egypt king as a celebration of the opening of the Suez channel, it is a modern plot set up in ancient Egypt and somewhat the archetype of countless Hollywood costume production.

Carmen is an opera comique - very much as a musical, there are spoken (French) dialogues between musical numbers - the action is much faster and the plot is much more believeable, coming from one of the best short novels from the French literature. But it is not as large as Aida and an intimate setting would almost fit it better. In spite of being an opera comique it has a tragic ending and at his premiere it draw a scandal when a choir of female tobacco workers entered stage smoking.

MonicaRichards

We decided on Carmen, thought it would suit the girls better. Thanks for the input!

kovsie

I LOVED the opera in Verona (we saw Aida, it was full moon and a lovely summer night ...) and can just give you my perspective:
Except if you prefer the expensive seats right in front, I will not pay more for the numbered seats. The numbered seats are little iron chairs, not very comfy. The sound was excellent, and you will not hear better if you sit nearer. The theatre was built in such a way that your line of sight is not interrupted if you sit in the cheap seats. IMO the quality of what you hear and see is still good if you sit towards the back. Yes, it is a picnic atmosphere, it is not a concert hall. When you are in the back - where it was less crowded - you may be able to move around a bit. We followed the advice of the girl at the ticket office, and were there when they opened the gates. Not necessary!
Do take cushions - the Romans did not build for the comfort of your backside. You can rent it before the show, and return it afterwards (quite a profitable little idea for somebody!).
They wait for the sun to go down before the show starts, then they have two loooong intermissions, which is why it becomes a very late night for children. You may decide to leave before the end - another reason not to pay more than necessary.
Take a few snacks!