I remember watching a movie long ago where the main character was speaking about opera.  He said, “You will either love it or hate it, and if you love it you will always love it, and if you hate it you will still develop an appreciation for it.”  I thought to myself, “yeah right.  What is so great about opera?” Then I saw one.  I was taking a fine and performing arts class in 1995 and we were lucky enough to get to see the opera at Memorial Hall.  The Marriage of Figaro became my first ever opera. When I entered Memorial Hall, I felt so grown up.  Everyone was dressed to the nines, there was a bar serving drinks, and hor duerves.  The ushers were there with programs ready to help you find your seat, and as I sat waiting for the performance to begin, I remember looking around not knowing what to expect, I have to admit I was not excited about it at all. Curious but not excited.  Then the curtains opened and so did my mind.  I sat there spellbound the entire time, and as many of you know operas are NOT short.  I fell in love with the characters, I loved hearing their beautiful voices,  I even recognized some of the music, and so I walked out of Memorial Hall that night, a fan of opera.  Since then I have gone to several performances and even enjoyed plenty of the HD shows at the movie theater.  I  even took my Mom to see her first opera, which coincendentially enough was, The Marriage of Figaro, which we got to enjoy at the Schuster Center a few years ago.  I have been fortunate enough to learn a lot about opera from two pros on the subject, Hank Cates and CWW.  Their passion for the opera also helped my love affair with the opera grow more and more.  I can still remember that first opera like it was yesterday.  What about you opera lovers?  Do you still remember when you saw your first opera?

Helena