Opera is Alive and Well

I love opera.  I can’t always afford to go, but when I do I’m not disappointed.

So, when our interim director of Our Own Thing Chorale sent out an email inviting members to an opera in Toledo (at The Valentine Theatre), I jumped on the chance to get a cheaper ticket and attend.  

The opera is I Dream.  It’s about the life and times of Martin Luther King, Jr., leading up to his assassination.  Darnell Ishmel, who got me a comp ticket, was able to get me a seat about 10 rows behind the orchestra.  During some of the movements in the opera, it was chilling to be close enough to the stage to be able to hear the crisp footsteps of the marchers in some of the scenes.  

I think the pounding of the feet was important to the affect, adding to the vocals.  The heart-wrenching pounding of people marching to acquire the right to the freedom was remarkable.

The opening of this opera began with a young boy (in the role of MLK, Jr. as a child) who sings with his grandmother.  She reminds him not to let hatred and anger dominate his heart.

The young boy, Tawann Gaston, Jr., sang with a voice pure and sweet. To begin an opera with a child's voice couldn’t have touched me more.  I was enthralled from then on. Every song, every scene, every real-life film clip flashed on the black, backdrop kept my attention.

My children are determined to say, “Mom!  If there’s a kid or an animal in the movie---you like it!”  I think I can add opera, now.

Not to say I wouldn’t have loved this opera without the child portraying Martin Luther King, Jr., but I had a hook in my mouth and it never got loose. I watched closely for Darnell.  I didn't want to miss when he'd perform and I wasn't disappointed.  His rich voice along with his ability to act out his character was exceptional.

I didn't have to worry about subtitles in this opera.  I was able to focus more on the faces, posture and the musical sound of the characters.  I try to do this even when there are subtitles, actually. I make it a point to read the synopsis beforehand so I can be ready.  I like to let an opera take me.  The composer and the playwright (or librettist) create a net for me to fall in and I do so happily.

Inside the Valentine Theatre

I was glad I had a friend to attend the opera with me. He suggested beforehand this performance may be a tear-jerker. I was thankful to have a couple of my vintage handkerchiefs!  And having someone to talk to about the opera helped me recover from the the overall effect when it was over. 

The powerful theme in I Dream is about love and social justice.  Love in friendship, family, humanity and self.

One of the few props in the opera was a hotel room door with a railing in front of it, depicting a balcony.  (as a reminder of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s last day). Other props were restaurant chairs, bus seats and prison bars.  The real historic pictures and videos flashing on the back drop had the most dramatic affect on me.

I wasn’t sure when or where my tears would end during this performance.  I just knew it was having a permanent print on my heart. 

I think that’s why musicians, actors and opera singers do what they do.  They know they are changing the world through their work. With every note they sing or character they portray, they're telling a story.

If they forget how important they are in creating art, I hope someone reminds them.  Whether it’s monetary support, attendance or just telling people opera is not dead.  

I’m telling you, opera is alive and well.  

Art Done in the Lobby of the Valentine Theatre