The Opera

My vision of the art world expanded with Friday night's performance of Rappaccini's Daughter. I went in with no expectations. I wasn't too familiar with the story either. So I went in as a blank slate.
The first thing I noticed was the background on stage. The high platform and use of stairs gave the illusion of multiple rooms, spaces for the performers to use. Even though there was no wall, the metal frame in the bedroom that was opened and closed suggested a window that looked out upon the garden. The garden was a whole different story! The flowers and plants that were actually people dressed in costumes were incredible. I can't imagine holding a pose throughout entire scenes. It did not seem like a comfortable position but definitely a neat perspective as they didn't have to worry as much about singing but rather placement and appearance to the audience. That is something I would like to do, especially in a movie. I want to be there on set, a part of the scene without having a speaking role or major pressure to act. I guess I wouldn't mind being behind the scenes but I would really like to gain that experience and see a movie or performance from an alternate perspective. The preparation towards the production fascinates me as much as the actual show.
The opera itself was at times hard to follow because of the Spanish and then need to look up at the subtitles. I occasionally found myself ignoring the subtitles and just watching the performer's expressions. That was a story in itself.
I did skim over Nathaniel Hawthorne's story and found that I was missing the background and the details from the story. Not everything can translate over to a performance, especially an opera. But I felt as I was watching it that something was missing. The story filled in some blanks and the ending either way--text or opera-- was dramatic. There were scientific, moral and love elements which made the story relatable to various audiences but for me I wish I had a richer understanding of the plot before being thrown into the opera setting.