Walz Guitar - A guitar player at the opera

Last night I went to the opera for the first time, Carmen by Bizet. Sat in the front row. Besides being an audience member, I didn't know what to expect. Different musical styles have different protocol for their concerts. When I saw Fugazi and Murphy's Law, for example, being the front meant you were mosh pit fodder. I know to not expect that. But, what I'm pointing too with my caloused left index finger is, how do you spend the energy of performance? In rock, and all its aggressive subcategories, I knew and have been there. For opera, I didn't know and felt like part of a sociological experiment.

Video of a guitar interpretation of the Habenera, this really made me want to see the live opera

As the music started, things like applause were obviously easy to follow the crowd and do. Some of these people are clapping monsters by the way--they go way too long. Guess all concerts have those people--letting you know that too. Reactions and emotions were a bit different. Being close enough, like 10 feet or 3-ish meters, you are close enough for eye contact. That seems to be universal, looking the performer in the eye and communicating a 'right on,' 'don't suck,' 'omg i love you,' or whatever vibe. For emotional reaction, I hoped I wasn't a crying, short mass of a man. If you've seen the movie Pretty Woman you know what I'm talking about. On the other hand, crying would be like that soul controlling energy you get to make you headbang, mosh, stage dive, and whip out the cell phone and give a little light for the ballad that speaks to you. For me, I didn't cry but had a different response. The woman who played Carmen, who is supposed to be totally hot, didn't strike me. I was like, ok, there she is. When she started to sing...she transformed into an angel of beauty and I got completely caught up with whatever she was doing on the stage. My wife thought that was funny. Another thing, I was stunned a couple of times by how provacative the performance was--though that goes with the particular story of this opera. Still, yanking up your dress is yanking up your dress. I'm not complaining, just didn't expect it.

Video of the Habenera done as a solo

I survived my first opera. The whole thing was very enjoyable (though at intermission there were so many hobbling old people (no offense) I felt like I was as some secret gathering for people with mismatched leg lengths). Being at a live performance of opera is much different than sitting and listening to a recording. If you like music and can appreciate it, opera will work for you.

Links:
Union Avenue Opera House in St. Louis
(http://www.unionavenueopera.org/)
Carmen by Bizet Wikipedia entry
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carmen)