When talking about the opera with students at the UNC Charlotte two words continuously found their way to the conversation, “boring and stuffy”. Judging from conversation I have had with collegians on the topic, it would appear that many are of the school of thought that the opera is not only boring, but also exclusive for the wealthy and the upper crust. Well my friends I am here to tell you that you are mistaken.
You do not have to wait until you make VICE PRESDIENT before you can attend your first opera. In fact Opera Carolina makes their performance easy and accessible every student regardless of your pedigree. And if I were to summarize the opera, I would do so in three words: sex, crime and cleavage.
The opera make it way to the stage in the SIXTEENTH century in Florence, a region part of modern day Italy. In a similar spirit as most theatrical works, most operas delve into the human condition with topics that are relevant today, just as they were nearly five centuries ago. Take for instance Giamoco Puccini 1986, Le bohème (The bohemian) a story about an artist who acquires love just to be lost due a tragedy.
Let me begin by describing the back drop where this operatic theme is occurring. Its during the 1830’s on Christmas Eve at the Latin Quarters, an area that could only be described as one of Paris many jewels; home of some breath taking architectural marvels to include the Cathedral Notre Dame. The protagonist Rodolfo a poet and his friend Marcello a painter are in their apartment burning the poet’s latest drama to try to stay warm. Soon they are joined by two other friends Colline the philosopher and Schaunard a musician who has just acquired a job and brings foods and funds for the group.
The unfortunate experience of going without is one the many undergraduates are all too familiar with, particularly in this economic downturn. I can think of friends that do not turn on their heater during the winter in an attempt to make ends meet. I also witness events where some have gone by with a meal a day because payday is not for another few days. And although nowadays poetry and literature may seem passé, I would argue this have just merely morphed into a new medium nominally known by today’s youth as the Blog. So you see operatic themes are just as relevant today as they were nearly 100 years ago.
The phenomenon which is Jonathan Larson's 1996 Broadway Musical Rent is perhaps one of the longest running shows of its kind. In fact Larson was inspired by the works of Puccini’s, La bohème1. Rent takes on a modern twist on Puccini’s work. The Musical take stage in the Lowers East Side of Manhattan (NYC) in the early 90’s. This is not your Gossip Girl, Sex and the City or Law and Order, Upper East Side, New York where characters live brownstones and lofty penthouses. The New York City portrait in the Musical is a pre Mayor Gulluni gritty panorama that could only be witness by watching movie’s like Trading Places or perhaps by taking the L train headed to Brooklyn passed Bedford Ave.
Like in Puccini’s work, Rent tells the story of impoverish young artist struggling to survive in Alphabet City’s Lower East Side (Manhattan); in a bested building nearly condemn, surrounded by homeless people and drug addicts. The character deal with issues such as love gain and lost, loyalty, betrayal and the overshadowing pending doom awaiting Angel Dumott Schunard, a drag queen, with AIDS. So you see, the world take us back a full turn. Much like in Rodolfo’s time, there are certain issues transcend time, which plague us today, much as they did back when; I call this unique experience the human condition.
Opera Carolina will begin its season on Jan. 23 at which time it will debut Puccini’s Le bohème. The performance will take place at Belk Theater on 130 N Tryon St., Charlotte. Those individuals interested in attending the show, can purchase Student Rush Tickets, two hours before the performance for $10 with a valid student ID.
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