Ballet, Opera and more.

something daft already!! · 23 Jan 2022 at 14:54

Has anyone here ever been to a ballet? I have always enjoyed classical music and listen a lot of classical "hits" so to speak. I have it on all day playing in the background while I work. I have never been to a ballet before and my partner has, as a birthday treat, bought us two tickets to see Swan Lake in quite good seats.

I have been watching it on YouTube and it is beautiful. I know I am going to love this and I am very surprised by this. While I enjoy classical music, I judged ballet harshly as a younger man and up till now really.

If I enjoy this live, I am thinking maybe the Barber of Seville next. Time to get some culture before I die and it is too late.

Quartz · 23 Jan 2022 at 15:24

You are going to have fun. Ballet is very different in person to on a screen. The best performance create a personal connection between you and the principal dancers.

Opera is very different to ballet. For starters, it's often sung in a foreign language so you better hope there are surtitles. Even when they're sung in English (or your native language) comprehension can be difficult as IME too often the performers seem to prefer to demonstrate their vocal range rather than communicate with clarity.

something daft already!! · 23 Jan 2022 at 15:29

When I listen to Opera, I don't actually comprehend what is being said but I feel the emotion behind it. I suspect a guide book might help a tad.

Darujhistan · 23 Jan 2022 at 15:38

I don't think you need to follow opera word for word to enjoy it.

Quartz · 23 Jan 2022 at 15:53

Darujhistan said:
I don't think you need to follow opera word for word to enjoy it.

It does help if you know what they're singing about.

Darujhistan · 23 Jan 2022 at 15:58

Quartz said:
It does help if you know what they're singing about.

Sure, but you can still enjoy the music and the vocal performances, that's how I got into it. I had no idea what was going on!

something daft already!! · 23 Jan 2022 at 16:05

I just listened to

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZvgmpiQCcI

With the translation it's pretty funny and shows people never change.

Trifid · 23 Jan 2022 at 16:21

Yes. I grew up surrounded by classical music. I never appreciated Opera until I ended up hearing Royal College of Music students doing a semi public rehearsal in a 'small' room (about 20 people were able to watch) to practice with a historic harpsichord, it was a right time, right place event (not planned). The experience has never left me. Afterwards I found out a family friend ran a prize fund for students as a competition and would go and watch this every year before covid. For me, opera is breathtaking hearing small intimate performances, large venue performances of full operas to experience the entire story are enjoyable but recordings have zero interest - it simply doesn't translate into recordings. Ballet music stands on its own but is an entirely different experience live, it is surreal like nothing else.

hood1971 · 24 Jan 2022 at 12:46

My other half loves ballet, and I have been to a few now. Mostly I find myself bored after a bit, particularly if the story has completed and all that is left is dancers padding it out. Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty are two where the story part finished quite soon, with added twirling to pad it out.
Romeo and Juliet was the exception, wonderful music and a story line through most of the show.

Not seen swan lake, but every time I see a a clip of the ballet I think of Morecambe & Wise

M1k3H · 24 Jan 2022 at 13:45

We do enjoy opera and classical music, we try to go at least 4 times a year (covid allowing of course..).

I've been to 1 ballet and did not enjoy at all. Mostly for me it was the fact that I had no idea what was going on. With opera at least you have the surtitles.

SPG · 24 Jan 2022 at 13:48

I shall let you know about the Ballet, first time on Wednesday......... expectations are low at this point in time. But the meal beforehand should be nice

something daft already!! · 10 Feb 2022 at 00:44

It was amazing! My partner and I were both blown away by it. I didn't want it to end. I could have sat and watched it again. We had good seats and had an unimpeded view, there could have been more leg room perhaps.

They were brilliant dancers, very talented, one thing did pop into my head:

Loved it though! I would highly recommend if you are yet to experience it. I'm a convert for sure and we will be booking tickets for the Nutcracker next.

SPG · 10 Feb 2022 at 07:47

I went to the ballet for the first time in January, to see the Nutcracker. Just make sure you read the book the ballet is based upon otherwise you really won't have a clue what is going on.

The orchestra was brilliant though have to say but the ballet itself not my cup of tea and probably won't go again unless their is a starwars, Marvel one

something daft already!! · 12 Feb 2022 at 21:43

We got a programme while we were there but only just read it now lol. It explains the story and I didn't get most of it from just the dance. I will definitely read it before next time. The Nutcracker is my preferred option.