Hi. My name is Thevina/Kristi. And I work for an opera company.

[thrihyrne]

Am about to embark on Thanksgiving sojourns to inlaws, and then to my folks.

But I've gotta tell ya. Well, for those who don't know me from RL, my uni/college major was in Music History/Theory, and I avoided opera like the plague.

I must say, however, that aside from the first 15 or so minutes of John Adams' Nixon in China the operas that we've just presented (and I saw for the second time this evening) are absolutely amazing.

Poulenc. La Voix Humaine. Plot not so great anymore, but he was a fabulous gay composer, and the music is gorgeous, and we had an absolutely amazing singer from New Zealand to sing the opera. It's just her, and a phone, and the other part of the conversation played by the orchestra. She [will have edit to say who she is beyond Amanda from NZ] was brilliant.

Peter Maxwell Davies. The Lighthouse. The freaky man (and that's "Sir Peter") who lives on his own remote island off the coast of the Scotland was throwing tarot cards to get the particular meter for the particular phrases, and you can tell. When the three lighthouse keepers actually sing 'regular' songs, it's jarring. They are in an actual key. But the opera is based on an actual story of three missing lighthouse keepers, and while the music may not be conventionally "pretty," I wish that we did these kinds of works every time.

The Lighthouse ROCKS MY SOCKS. It's opera. It's wacky.

Must drive to inlaws tomorrow. Am at office at 10:36 p.m. to print up an audit of ticket sales, which are less than desired. We are probably dismally behind in actual single ticket sales. Almost no student rush- not a big surprise, seeing as how it's two days before Thanksgiving, but…

I so wish that we were doing both operas again tomorrow. I could see them so often. You don't really necessarily want just to listen to them; it's not Carmen, which we'll produce in the spring. Sheer listening doesn't do them justice. You have to have lighting, and staging, and...

acting.

Tonight, though it was probably the most demoralizing day I've ever had at work, was bliss. A fellow ticketing person to whom I'd given comps brought me a yellow rose. I carried it around all night.

Twentieth-century opera.

It doesn't suck.

Comments

[helveticat.livejournal.com]

Thought not a yellow rose... still perfectly random...

I LOVE YOU KRISTI!!!!!!!!!!!!

♥

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

I LOVE YOU TOO!!!!!

I hope you're doing okay; isn't your brother around these days, bringing with it the usual sibling and parent angst?? I'm thinking of you while hidden away in a back room using my mother-in-law's computer and her AOL internet. Had to go after my stepdaughter, who wanted to check email and her horoscope. LOL.

I'll be checking in sporadically, but just want to say again how influential you are in my life, and I hope you are in a good place emotionally.

(((hugs)))

[snottygrrl.livejournal.com]

don't know when you'll actually see this, but i hope you will have/had a nice thanksgiving. [*mopes for 3 yrs running without turkey*]

have only been to the opera once i think. i fell asleep. about the only live performance i don't do. should probably give it another go....

you always deserve a rose.

[*loves you*] ♥

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

You poor thing! (re. Turkey) we'll be having the whole nine yards tomorrow; after terrible weather, all of Kurt's siblings and their families are here safely in VA, and one sister brought PoA on DVD, which is great. The kids are watching it downstairs. ;)

Opera usually isn't my thing, which is funny since it's my job. But these two were simply stellar. The problem is I just found out just how poorly we're doing financially. On the plus side, a new season ticket holder I took care of Tuesday night happens to work for a publishing company, and we spoke briefly about a position available there, so upon my return, I'll be submitting my resume.

***loves you heaps and heaps***

[snottygrrl.livejournal.com]

enjoy some turkey and trimmings for me [*looks wistful*]

oooohhh! and good luck with the job possiblity [*crosses fingers*]

[qowf.livejournal.com]

As someone who's degrees in theater, I can honestly say the best theater I ever saw was at Glimmerglass Opera in upstate New York. "Werther" of all things. Mark Lamos, directing, John Conklin design and Bob Wertzel lighting. It was the most powerful theatrical experience of my life.

I have always believed that when opera is good, there is nothing better. It combines all the art forms into a heightened experience and is just amazing.

I want to see the Lighthouse opera. Bad.

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

Wow! Haven't heard of "Werther." Is it German? Opera can be an incredibly powerful force, it's just that they usually don't grab me, plus, well, it's my job. But these two were incredible. If you can see "The Lighthouse," do. We built the set, so we're hoping that many other opera companies will decide to do it and rent the set.

Happy Thanksgiving, by the way!! Hope you are well. And I believe that you all have 5 inches of snow? My husband's exwife and her husband went up your way to spend the holiday with her parents. Snow. Yummy.

[qowf.livejournal.com]

We have snow, about two inches here in the city. However, it started as FREEZING CHUNKS OF ICE FALLING FROM THE SKY.

Literally. I was standing, watching it alternate between sheets of rain, which would before your eyes, turn into snow. Then CHUNKS OF ICE, like snowballs, STARTED FALLING.

I tell you, I have never seen anything like it. So, like everyone else in the city, I got in the car and drove all over doing errands.

: )

Werther is without a doubt, most times around, the most boring opera on the planet, not to mention challenging. He shoots himself at the end of the last act, in the head, mortal shot, then sings for thirty minutes. It's--interesting.

However, this production was crazy good. I think there are video tapes of it floating around, especially within the opera world. You may even have it in your archives.

Happy Thanksgiving to you, by the by. Good to hear from you, as always.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

So glad you had a *good* opera experience! ;) Don't know if you'll be online while you're gone, but I hope all goes well. I'll be thinking of you. I have a letter and package on its way - including a thank-you for your glorious gift, which greatly softens the blow of getting ready to turn "twenty-thirteen" -- and the long-promised Beth Orton. Thank you! And take care, m'dear! ::hugs::

(((massive hugs)))

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

Hey, my dear one. I'll only have spotty email/internet while travelling, but wanted to say hi and I'm so glad that you already got your gift! Guess the distance really isn't all that far, after all. ;)

Happy birthday early- I'll toast you appropriately with coffee or somesuch when we get together again. And I can't wait for the Beth Orton! I just love that one song, and if you like her, she must be cool.

Also, thanks for the great email with the piccie of you in your Princess Lei costume. What a beautiful thing. Just like you. :D :D

Thinking of you, and hope you are well.

Much love,
K

ACK!

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

Dammit. I had your age wrong, didn't I? And I thought I'd written it down properly in my calendar.

*headdesk*

*waving*

[mistressofrohan.livejournal.com]

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

*hug*

MM

Re: *waving*

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

**waves back**

Am now safely ensconced at the inlaws, and have earplugs to help with husband's snoring and TV which can be too loud. Tis a very good thing. Would love a tumbler of bourbon too, but think I will pass. :)

I hope that you have a good Thanksgiving as well. I'm hoping to actually have some quality LJ time during the day off after our holiday, or maybe while visiting my mom if we do that. More driving. :P

((hugs))

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Welcome back, m'dear - hope you had a safe trip home! :)