Opera help-please!!!!
Oct 24th, 2004, 01:48 PM
#1
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Opera help-please!!!!
My hubby and I are wanting to see a Opera at the Met in December. Here is what is playing:
Rodelinda
I Vespri Sciilian
Les Contes d' Hoffmann
We have seen a few operas and throughly enjoyed them but have never heard of these. Of course we are that informed on Opera to begin with. Also where do we want to sit? Are any of these worth missing a broadway show for? Thank you so much, we use all of your valuable expertise!
Rodelinda
I Vespri Sciilian
Les Contes d' Hoffmann
We have seen a few operas and throughly enjoyed them but have never heard of these. Of course we are that informed on Opera to begin with. Also where do we want to sit? Are any of these worth missing a broadway show for? Thank you so much, we use all of your valuable expertise!
Oct 24th, 2004, 02:00 PM
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I have not seen any of the 3, but at first glance, I would NOT choose Rodelinda. It is a LONG piece by Handel, which to me translates as boring.
HOWEVER, looking at Met's website, Renee Fleming will be in Rodelinda, and it is a new production. That could be a big selling point.
I have sat in Family Circle (cheapest) and Balcony (2nd cheapest), and also have stood in the back of the orchestra (standing tickets). The Family Circle is quite far, and you cannot see the deep end of the stage, but usually the action goes on in the front. Balcony seats are better (obviously). But for either one, you'll need opera glasses. Obviously, the more expensive the seats are, the better they are; it really depends on how much you want to spend.
HOWEVER, looking at Met's website, Renee Fleming will be in Rodelinda, and it is a new production. That could be a big selling point.
I have sat in Family Circle (cheapest) and Balcony (2nd cheapest), and also have stood in the back of the orchestra (standing tickets). The Family Circle is quite far, and you cannot see the deep end of the stage, but usually the action goes on in the front. Balcony seats are better (obviously). But for either one, you'll need opera glasses. Obviously, the more expensive the seats are, the better they are; it really depends on how much you want to spend.
Oct 24th, 2004, 02:05 PM
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GoTravel- I don't think so. Here's the link to Met's schedule for December:
http://www.metopera.org/season/december/
http://www.metopera.org/season/december/
Oct 24th, 2004, 02:08 PM
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You pose an unanswerable question.
It is like asking which painting is the best or which restaurant is the best.
Of the 3 operas, The Tales of Hoffman, or Les Contes d'Hoffman, has the best music, but the plot is a real wierdo, almost a hallucinogenic ramble. It is one opera the plot of which I find to be a distraction to the music.
It takes one heck of a tenor, however, to sing the role of Hoffman and 3 good sopranos and a good deep baritone or bass to handle some of the other roles.
Some of the music is unmatched in opera.
Certainly the Barcarolle is the most bewitching music I know of.
Scilian Vespers, by Verdi, is a solid Verdian opera but not his best. La Traviata and Aida are usually regarded as superior works, but that, too, is a matter of opinion.
What Broadways Shows are you trading off for the opera? I go to operas, in fact I will be at the Met next week for Carmen and Aida, but if you are trading off something like South Pacific for Rodelinda, I am not sure which I would take -- probably the musical.
On the other hand, I am not sure anything in that genre is tradable for first class Carmen!
It is like asking which painting is the best or which restaurant is the best.
Of the 3 operas, The Tales of Hoffman, or Les Contes d'Hoffman, has the best music, but the plot is a real wierdo, almost a hallucinogenic ramble. It is one opera the plot of which I find to be a distraction to the music.
It takes one heck of a tenor, however, to sing the role of Hoffman and 3 good sopranos and a good deep baritone or bass to handle some of the other roles.
Some of the music is unmatched in opera.
Certainly the Barcarolle is the most bewitching music I know of.
Scilian Vespers, by Verdi, is a solid Verdian opera but not his best. La Traviata and Aida are usually regarded as superior works, but that, too, is a matter of opinion.
What Broadways Shows are you trading off for the opera? I go to operas, in fact I will be at the Met next week for Carmen and Aida, but if you are trading off something like South Pacific for Rodelinda, I am not sure which I would take -- probably the musical.
On the other hand, I am not sure anything in that genre is tradable for first class Carmen!
Oct 24th, 2004, 02:13 PM
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I got a migraine when we saw Vespri Siciliani and it kind of dragged along to me (could that have been the pain?)
But I love the Tales of Hoffman, have seen it a few times!
The sets, the costumes and the music are Fabulous!
Read about it before you go so you will have more of an idea of the way things are going, the music is wonderful. I am jealous
But I love the Tales of Hoffman, have seen it a few times!
The sets, the costumes and the music are Fabulous!
Read about it before you go so you will have more of an idea of the way things are going, the music is wonderful. I am jealous
Oct 24th, 2004, 02:16 PM
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Good point. Those performances, assuming we are discussing Friday and Saturday, are heavily sold already.
The Tales of Hoffman has the most availability, but several sections are already sold out.
The Tales of Hoffman has the most availability, but several sections are already sold out.
Oct 24th, 2004, 03:58 PM
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WOW! Thank you all so much. As I said my hubby and I are not opera wise. We do enjoy it though but do not know anything about the music, we just enjoy it. Did that make sense?
I would not have asked any opinions if it were a opera I had heard of, I would love to see Carmen , Aida etc. We saw Romeo and Juliet at the Vienna Opera House and loved it! So were hoping to get the same experience here. I would like one that is easy and fun to follow.I know comparing these is like comparing apples to oranges but when my hubby said what do we do, I said let me friends on Fodors tell us what to do.
We were thinking of seeing Little Women the musical or whatever? I just did not know what to do. By the way in Vienna and Paris we did not need opera glasse (they were so intimate) is this something you must purchase there? I will check availabilty it will be for the weekend of 12-11-04.
Thanks again to all of you and please have patience for a ignorant opera fan.
I would not have asked any opinions if it were a opera I had heard of, I would love to see Carmen , Aida etc. We saw Romeo and Juliet at the Vienna Opera House and loved it! So were hoping to get the same experience here. I would like one that is easy and fun to follow.I know comparing these is like comparing apples to oranges but when my hubby said what do we do, I said let me friends on Fodors tell us what to do.
We were thinking of seeing Little Women the musical or whatever? I just did not know what to do. By the way in Vienna and Paris we did not need opera glasse (they were so intimate) is this something you must purchase there? I will check availabilty it will be for the weekend of 12-11-04.
Thanks again to all of you and please have patience for a ignorant opera fan.
Oct 24th, 2004, 04:07 PM
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If you sit up in the nose bleed section of the high Met balconies, I think a telescope is in order. But, a good pair of small binoculars will be more acceptable to the people behind you, and in front of you.
Oct 24th, 2004, 04:15 PM
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Three comments:
1. You'll be able to see simultaneous English translation on the back of the seat in front of you at the Met.
2. I would recommend the orchestra, first ring or second ring. Beyond that, you are bit far from the stage. However, keep in mind that tickets to the Met are expensive!
3. Of the three operas mentioned, I would recommend Tales of Hoffman. But, as others have said, get your tickets ASAP. You may already be too late.
1. You'll be able to see simultaneous English translation on the back of the seat in front of you at the Met.
2. I would recommend the orchestra, first ring or second ring. Beyond that, you are bit far from the stage. However, keep in mind that tickets to the Met are expensive!
3. Of the three operas mentioned, I would recommend Tales of Hoffman. But, as others have said, get your tickets ASAP. You may already be too late.
Oct 24th, 2004, 06:33 PM
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Agree with recommendation of Tales of Hoffman.
Also suggest that you try Family Circle, where the sound is reputedly the best. Also suggest that you get tickets as close to middle as possible. Sitting to the side, you may miss half the action.
The Met has about twice the seating capacity of the Vienna Opera House, 4000 vs 2000. Opera Houses in Europe tend to be smaller and more intimate affairs. The Met is HUGE.
Enjoy!
Also suggest that you try Family Circle, where the sound is reputedly the best. Also suggest that you get tickets as close to middle as possible. Sitting to the side, you may miss half the action.
The Met has about twice the seating capacity of the Vienna Opera House, 4000 vs 2000. Opera Houses in Europe tend to be smaller and more intimate affairs. The Met is HUGE.
Enjoy!
Oct 25th, 2004, 03:42 AM
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I would also add a vote for Tales of Hoffmann, especially since you're just getting to know and enjoy opera. My recommendation, though, would be to get a CD and become as familiar as possible with the music before you go. (Having said that - I know they're not cheap - maybe it's possible to borrow one from a friend or the library.) If you don't enjoy the CD, chances are the opera won't be much fun for you either - but if you do, knowing the music will enhance the experience for you. A plot synopsis (likely easily found via Google) might also help.
Oct 25th, 2004, 04:40 AM
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I'm not familiar with any of the three. When in doubt, I'd look for the known composer whose work I liked. Here you have Verdi, Handel and Offenbach. I'm probably looking at Verdi as the least chance of an awful show. (But, Hoffman is a Met Opera favorite, so that's got to count for something.)
With no clear favorite, I'd be looking at the running times. Hoffman is 3:40, Sicilian is 3:30, Rodelinda is 4:00. The last one goes because I hit the wall at about 11:30. I can deal with 10 minutes more, not 30.
BTW, you can get a very well written synopsis on the Met Opera website if my unscientific rambling provides no help.
http://www.metopera.org/season/december/
With no clear favorite, I'd be looking at the running times. Hoffman is 3:40, Sicilian is 3:30, Rodelinda is 4:00. The last one goes because I hit the wall at about 11:30. I can deal with 10 minutes more, not 30.
BTW, you can get a very well written synopsis on the Met Opera website if my unscientific rambling provides no help.
http://www.metopera.org/season/december/
Oct 25th, 2004, 03:37 PM
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Well there are seats still available for Hoffmann like back of Orch. Is this what I want? I heard someone say get the first and second ring what are those? Help! And thanks you all of have been a wealth of info!
Oct 25th, 2004, 03:51 PM
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The rings are the balconies. You can get the first which is right over the orchestra and seats are the same price as orchestra, very good seats. Problem with all good seating, those with subscriptions have the first choice, those who buy the way you are , have to choose from the "left overs "
This is a not so clear seating chart for the Met. You can get an idea of where the orchestra is and how far you would want to sit in the back.
I do not like to sit in the back of the orchestra. I would take a side seat up closer (but that might just be me) or upstairs, but stay in the center. You will get a crick in your neck if you sit on the side box seats.
http://www.cityguidemagazine.com/ima...erahouse50.jpg
This is a not so clear seating chart for the Met. You can get an idea of where the orchestra is and how far you would want to sit in the back.
I do not like to sit in the back of the orchestra. I would take a side seat up closer (but that might just be me) or upstairs, but stay in the center. You will get a crick in your neck if you sit on the side box seats.
http://www.cityguidemagazine.com/ima...erahouse50.jpg
Oct 25th, 2004, 06:32 PM
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Being realistic, you're not going to get prime seats at this stage. As a previous poster noted, those ordering a subscription for a series have already gotten the best seats. The question is: Do you want to go badly enough to settle for less than ideal seats?
The first and second rings are probably all sold out. If not, get seats there. If they are sold out, I'd favor the rear of the orchestra rather than higher than the second ring.
The first and second rings are probably all sold out. If not, get seats there. If they are sold out, I'd favor the rear of the orchestra rather than higher than the second ring.
