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.

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

Christine Lavin has a song about that.

My in-Laws like opera a lot - and I like them very much. I'll check out Puccini.

And we mostly agree on Gilbert & Sullivan.

I think the whole thing started off on a bad foot with me at the appearance of the three ladies, dressed as goths with matching thick hornrim glasses, long braids, and leather skirts/boots/etc. Alternately described (I just found) by a reviewer as "Three Ladies in service to the Queen of the Night: a trio of lecherous Goths who borrow their wardrobe from "The Matrix""

So, yeah, kind of custom designed to annoy me.

Owen is amazing, Cash.

Christine Lavin has a song about that.

...seriously?

the three ladies, dressed as goths with matching thick hornrim glasses, long braids, and leather skirts/boots/etc. Alternately described (I just found) by a reviewer as "Three Ladies in service to the Queen of the Night: a trio of lecherous Goths who borrow their wardrobe from "The Matrix""

Ah. A "new interpretation of the staging." Some can be quite successful--"Live at the Met" did a version of Tosca set in Mussolini's Italy, and it looked very good. But other reinterpretations can be very distracting. "Magic Flute" is a weird work to start off with anyway. I'd recommend "Barber of Seville" or something more straightforward for a first opera.