There's opera and then there's opera
OK, so here in Vienna there are two opera houses - the Staatsoper (the state=Austrian) opera, where all the operas are performed in the original language, and where it is confirmed that yes, indeed, the class system still exists (i.e., if you're standing in the standing area for the performance, the ushers are not very nice). Then there's the Volksoper, and that is the people's opera. There they present mainly lighter works like operettas and some musicals, but also operas, but always in German (for the PEOPLE).

So, when I first arrived, Danny asked if I would like to go see William Tell by Rossini at the Staatsoper. We went and got tickets for 2 EUROS! Of course those were standing tickets. And I know what you're thinking - OK, just go sit in one of the free seats once the opera is about to start. Yes, that is a good idea, except here it is not uncommon for the performances to be sold out! So, we stood for the whole opera. Then two days later we went back and saw Carmen by Bizet - again we stood (but this time I wore my tennis shoes).

When we went to see the Sound of Music, I didn't think about the fact that it would be sung in German. It was an interesting effect - "the Hills are Alive with the Sound of Music" definitely sounds different when sung in German, maybe not as good, or at least not what one expects. But, on the other hand, when the German soldiers come on stage, it is quite effective for them to be speaking German.

This Monday night I went to the see 4 ballets (yes, in one night) at the Staatsoper with Carly, Kim, Kristina, and Danny (some Fulbright Folk). It was called "Diaghilev Evening." We saw La Spectre de la rose with music by Weber; the Three Cornered Hat by de Falla; and Renard and Petrushka by Stravinsky. They were all great, but my favorite was Petrushka, the story of a puppet at a fair, his desire for his true love, and the master who is in control of his destiny. Oooh... symbolism.

Here is a picture of Kelly, Carly, and Kim (left to right) from the orientation.