Lyrical

Yesterday, the weather was wonderful and instead of spending the day watching this town's favorite taxpayer subsidized group of miscreants and drunk drivers . . . I went to the opera.

Until yesterday, Madama Butterfly had only been an obscure reference in movies to me. Now I know what all the fuss is about and I can honestly write that yesterday's performance of the Puccini classic was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen in my life. Additionally, I'm down with any form of artistic expression that explores the dangers of dating white guys. Word to Scott Peterson.

To tell the truth, I've always wanted to see this opera and I want to send an extra special shoutout to Marketing and Public Relations Director Virginia Long who made it happen for me. Please don't bother this awesome lady with requests for a bunch of free stuff (like I did) but I have to at least give her a mention because seeing this opera was pretty high up on my list of things to do before exiting the planet due to whatever unforeseen circumstance that I hope are at least 80 years in the future - I'm greedy like that. My seats were nearly as amazing as the cast which left me equally awestruck.

Additionally, I had a brief chat with Communications Specialist Ally before the performance and she informed me that the previous occasions on which I had attended the Lyric (when I was 12 years old) were thanks to a special program which attempted to give Catholic School kids a little class (my words) in between beatings and ritual prayer. It was one of those rare moments when I realized exactly how broke I was as a little kid . . . I didn't know that my trips to the Lyric with my class were part of a "program" with a benefactor and other donors and what not . . . The tiny bit of information reminded me of a similar earth shattering revelation: It wasn't until college that one of my professors told me that only poor people eat a lot of tuna which I had previously just assumed was standard fare for everybody on Fridays. But I digress. Ally was nice and reminded me of yet another blog that I need to start reading.



Lyricblog is a great way to get some behind the scenes information about the upcoming performances. Ward Holmquist is the Artistic Director for the Lyric Opera and he not only writes the blog but also puts together an impressive series of podcasts as well. The thing I like about the podcasts is that they aren't stuffy, artsy, formal interviews about the upcoming shows but simply a series of interviews that sound more like conversations.

To sum up, I still can't get the smile off my face after seeing the show yesterday. As a kid, going to the Lyric was a treat for me not only because of missed class time but also because the place was an escape from my drab, miserable and meager existence . . . Yesterday, the surroundings were vaguely familiar but the years have taught me the value of this kind experience for myself and people in Kansas City.