It was a week for the performing arts for me.
Last week, I attended a performance of the opera, Turandot, by the Houston Grand Opera. The singing and the orchestra were wonderful as usual. The soprano who was supposed to perform the role of Lui was not able to perform that evening so the soprano from HGO’s other production stepped in at the last moment and sang from off stage while an understudy acted out the role. There was not time to teach her the elaborate choreography. Her performance was as good as some of the big names from the past. The HGO Chorus had many opportunities to show off their skill and mastery.
On Saturday afternoon, I was able to attend a performance of Turandot that was broadcast, live, from the Metropolitan Opera in NYC. The Franco Zeffirelli production had amazing sets to go along with the magnificent singing and orchestra. During the 45 minute long first intermission, the soprano singing the title role was one of the many people interviewed. She talked about her childhood in Ukraine and how she worries about her family who are still there. This was especially poignant considering the words she sang in the second act. The MC noted how the Ukrainian ambassador to the UN was in the audience along with his counterparts from several other countries. At her curtain call, she emerged with the Ukrainian flag draped around her shoulders and was met with thunderous applause.
On Saturday evening, I attended HGO’s production of Romeo and Juliet. Again, the singing and orchestra were fantastic. The soprano singing the role of Juliet showed that her performance earlier in the week was no fluke. The HGO Chorus played a somewhat smaller role but was wonderful still.