Last week Owen told me he wanted to see a therapist because he feels angry. Mostly at his sister. I assured him this was pretty normal but that we would look into it. Today, I found a link on my tablet.

[link]

Tosca, La Boheme, The Italian Girl in Algiers, Carmen, anything Puccini--I love the whole package, I don't worry too much about the actual story. And if I've got a Callas recording, I just listen to her voice and grin.

Anyone have a favorite opera that isn't The Magic Flute?

Tosca. Not a happy story, but a good one with a memorable lead character, and some awesome set pieces.

Edit: Pretty much what Connie said about Puccini. Another Puccini one that's actually hilarious is 'Gianni Schicchi.' It's also short.

Aw, Owen.

I like classical music and sung music, and I generally don't like opera. I don't like the style of singing and the usual tone. I tried! I took a class in college and everything. So I don't worry about it anymore.

So I don't worry about it anymore.

I found out that, with some exceptions, I far prefer sung classical music to straight symphonic. But I do not like art songs, I like bits from operas and oratorios. Considering there's as much variation in classical music as there is in modern music, I don't think anyone should have to like everything.

It's just such a mark of "being well-cultured," you know?

Oh, Owen, that is impressively thoughtful. What a sweetheart.

I have to admit, the movie image of the uncultured peon weeping their first time at the opera has always struck me as supremely unlikely in real life, because I really don't get emotional resonance from the ones I've seen. Symphonies and sonatas do much more for me.

I am not a fan of opera. ...which is a little awkward, when dating someone who majored in opera in college. Um.

But then again, I'm also not a huge fan of symphonic works either, if I'm just listening to them! I like PLAYING in a symphony, but a lot of classical music...nah.

Owen is amazing.