I must admit I have always had a love affair with the opera. Maybe it was because I grew up playing classical music on the piano and developed some sort of affinity, or maybe it was cemented by the great scene in Shawshank Redemption where Andy Dufresne play an aria over the loudspeaker to his fellow prisoners, consciously pushing aside the deep trouble he would be in to experience a few moments with this thing he loved so much.
When I first moved to the Bay Area, I was eager to experience all the big city had to offer. My first live Opera experience was at the War Memorial Opera House and I was shocked at the cost of a ticket (and the seat was literally in the back row, way off to the right side!). I guess Moliere was spot on! But I got to experience the grandeur and fanfare of the Opera.
When I first moved to the Bay Area, I was eager to experience all the big city had to offer. My first live Opera experience was at the War Memorial Opera House and I was shocked at the cost of a ticket (and the seat was literally in the back row, way off to the right side!). I guess Moliere was spot on! But I got to experience the grandeur and fanfare of the Opera.
| So when I got an email promoting the Tosca simulcast from the War Memorial Opera House to AT&T Park, I knew this would be unique experience for our Mystery Date and jumped at the opportunity. At the time, we lived a few blocks from the Ballpark, so I packed a backpack with a blanket, snacks and a few adult beverages and we hoofed it over. |
As we strolled up to AT&T Park, I could tell Kathleen knew we were going to the Ballpark, but she was thrown for a loop since nobody was really wearing any Giant’s gear. Why would you go to a ballpark if there is no game being played?! But as we walked in, she spotted an Opera at the Ballpark sign and the mystery was solved.
| We picked a spot in right field (between 1st and 2nd base), which oddly turned out to be a much better view than my first experience at the War Memorial (and way cheaper)! Though it was somewhat far away, we could still see the screen pretty clearly. We settled on our blanket and I pulled out our snacks (cheese, crackers, salami, olives) as well as a nice bottle of bubbly. We toasted, cozied up and got ready for the show to begin. It was a pretty fun experience to have with 27,000 other people that night. People were very jovial and far less serious than the normal Opera constituents. People chatted and kids played, it was like an outdoor concert for the Opera! | 
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The performance went off without a hitch and was pretty spectacular. The voices carried beautifully throughout the ballpark and I thought it was the bigscreen actually showed the costumes better than in person. Sort of like the difference of going to a football game and watching it on TV. You're going to see more details on the TV, but being there in person lends a gravitas to the performance that is unmatched.
Go see Tosca if you get a chance, it really is one of the most beautiful Operas out there to enjoy. For a little taste, here is Pavarotti singing one of the best parts.
Go see Tosca if you get a chance, it really is one of the most beautiful Operas out there to enjoy. For a little taste, here is Pavarotti singing one of the best parts.
How the stars shone.
How sweet the earth smelled.
The orchard gate creaked,
and a footstep pressed on the sand.
And she entered, fragrant as a flower, and fell into my arms.
Oh, sweet kisses, lingering caresses.
Slowly, trembling, I gazed upon her beauty.
Now my dream of true love is lost forever.
My last hour has flown, and I die, hopeless, and never have I loved life more.”
― Giacomo Puccini, Tosca
