Many years ago, pre-offspring, himself’s family and I enjoyed a Prom during which a piece from Tristan und Isolde was played – just the instrumental, I think. Blown away and this opera has since been a favourite of mine, indeed the last aria is right up there beyond Bruch’s Violin Concerto now. Of course I’ve always yearned to see the whole opera live – yes, all 5 hours of it.
Last year I noticed it was coming to the English National Opera this year, and I mentioned this to my lovely mother-in-law who seemed keen to join me, and also, then, to my daughter, just 13, and you could have knocked me down with a feather when she said she’d like to come too. I then insisted on her listening to the piece I especially love, and still she was keen (as much as any teenager does “keen”) and is sure she’ll be fine through the long event.
Perhaps it is doing something with her mum and Grandma that is most appealing, I don’t know, but I’m treating us to good seats for her first opera experience (and for my back).
It will be such an adventure and I cannot wait…
photo credit: John William Waterhouse: Tristan and Isolde Sharing the Potion
via photopin (license)
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