you should listen to this while reading, because it's the best. and kids are playing it.
[Ma Vlast - Vltava [Moldau] - by Bedrich Smetana]
fave.
in other news, the opera was grand. three hours of musical grandeur. it rained. but it was fitting. it's not the most moral of all operas; but i'm beginning to think that few are... nevertheless, it was a delight, and at one point it gave me a bit of a surprise! all anne of green gables fans, did you know this song is from don giovanni? start at 3:19. :)
the performance of the opera we saw was put on by the SPCO, and it was a "semi-staged" production; there were no props or scenery or even period costumes. this was a different sort of opera experience than i'd seen before, and i was a little disappointed on first thought, but actually it was pretty nice not to be distracted by extra characters, dancers, scenery, and props whilst also remembering to follow the story and note which person is singing. it worked. the opera was, of course, sung in italian, but the english text was projected onto a small screen above the stage.
i've talked to a lot of people about opera lately. i think not very many have actually ever seen one. i'd recommend it. first of all, it's lovely to get dressed up and go downtown. second of all, there are melodies from most common operas that the average ear is familiar with, as i've found in the three operas i have seen. thirdly, the music is exquisite. fourthly, it's a great way to experience culture. it is my common observation that people who are interested in many things are they themselves quite interesting. i like being interesting, and i like interesting people. so be interesting, and go to the opera! and then tell me all about it.
i've talked to a lot of people about opera lately. i think not very many have actually ever seen one. i'd recommend it. first of all, it's lovely to get dressed up and go downtown. second of all, there are melodies from most common operas that the average ear is familiar with, as i've found in the three operas i have seen. thirdly, the music is exquisite. fourthly, it's a great way to experience culture. it is my common observation that people who are interested in many things are they themselves quite interesting. i like being interesting, and i like interesting people. so be interesting, and go to the opera! and then tell me all about it.
tonight i'll be talking on The Delights of Travel at the PMEU. basically it's a once-a-month group of educators [whether homeschool, public school, private school, or self-educated beings like myself] who read through and discuss a chapter of a Charlotte Mason book on education. she was a very unique and thoughtful British educator of the early 1900s. i really like her work, even though i'm not a teacher. she really thought. therefore, these meetings really make me think! the first half of the meeting consists of the chapter discussion, while during the second half one person presents a topic. i am the chosen presenter for the evening; i feel pretty honored, as it's the first meeting of the new school year. i've been really having a great time searching all of CM's materials for notes on travel, and combining those thoughts together with quotes from other travelers, and my own personal experiences. should be fun! i'll be bringing along lots of "props" in my little brown pasteboard suitcase, in the form of books, maps, and treasures from here or there.
two more cultural experiences shall occur before the week is up, but for now i'll bid thee adieu.
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