Opera in the backfield - Mme Magpie went to the opera

We went by METRO, and at first we though there must be some kind of sports game playing simultaneously. Surely, this many excited people wouldn't be headed out to see Barber of Seville at the Washington National Stadium. Wrong! Thousands of young people, some out on dates, some bringing their own small children, and a sprinkling of seniors were out to have FUN. Most likely it was a record holder - starting off with kids, ages 3-7! A great many kids were there, behaving themselves magnificently. What a grand way to introduce children to opera - no fuss, no having to get dressed up in uncomfortable clothes, no fear of doing something wrong, just a great time for them. We noticed that the children were having a wonderful time with all the opera's beautifully-choreographed high jinks; the enormous screen allowed all the fun little bits that escape far-away audiences - and there were plenty of high jinks, outrageous posturings and perfectly-timed horseplay that did not escape the eagle eyes of the young crowd. The size and breathtaking clarity of the screen is so great the it enables viewers to feel as if we're sitting right at the feet of the singers.

We had the ultimate retro ballgame treat - Crackerjacks! I won't share with you how long ago it was that I'd had my last box of Crackerjacks -- but time flew away as soon as that hauntingly familiar flavor wafted through my nostrils. At first it was hard to imagine combining high opera and Crackerjacks, but it soon became easy and then it seemed perfectly natural. (I have to admit, I once attended a Christmas Eve performance at the Met with a package of smelly smoked salmon tucked under my seat at my mother's request, ready to be taken home and eaten as pat of our post-opera holiday buffet). Ben's Chili Bowl repertoire is soon to be the accepted accompaniment to a night at the opera. Times have really changed!

Everyone was loose and easy at this performance, most especially including the excellent soloists. The one who shone the most brightly to this reviewer's eyes was Eric Owens, who played Don Basilio with exceptional zest. In addition to his big beautiful voice, it was clear that Owens was having a ball playing Don Basilio - with the screen so enormous, opera singers simply cannot hide their talent, or lack thereof from the audience. Owens was singing with a full rich, lustrous voice, AND he was having fun with his part. Total Winner in our book!

METRO cooperated by adding a special train at the end of the opera, and that smoothed out the return for all the riders we saw. A grand time was had by all.