The Opera Tattler

* Notes *

The second performance of Parsifal  (Act I, Scene 2 pictured, photograph by Cory Weaver) San Francisco Opera last night. It was interesting to experience this opera from the orchestra level, I was better able to appreciate the details of the production. Also the orchestra sounded even better than the previous two times I have heard the piece, and I am sorely tempted to come to hear as many performances of this as I can.

Msestra Eun Sun Kim has the orchestra sounding iridescent and completely clear. I hope to read the score at the back of the balcony. The singing too was all strong, everyone is appropriate for their roles.

From closer quarters, it was easier to see all the facial expressions that singers and dancers alike hold, and the hand gestures. There were many gaping mouths and sweeps of arms. I noticed that the first and second esquires flip their palms as they prostrate themselves. There are lots of small details in the movements, and it would be easy to get lost in these, there is always something to look at on the stage.

* Tattling *

My companion was deeply delighted that I was seated in front of a person in Row N 1 who belched at least twenty times in Act I, as she could pretend that it was me and act affronted. When she mentioned this to me at the first intermission, I truly laughed so hard. To be honest, I felt bad for said person, sometimes it just seems difficult being in an aging human body, he also had a cough, as did many people in the audience.

We sat behind a very sweet couple who sat next to us at dinner, so that was a funny coincidence. They inquired about our dinner, and we all agreed a Mano was a good spot to eat before the performance.