Phantom of the Opera!

Well, now that you’ve seen one of the most beautiful opera houses in the world (in Vienna), I’d like to give you something to compare it to…

As a part of the program in Parma, our mommies (they’re officially site coordinators, but there’s not much of a difference) arranged for us to go to see an opera in October. One of my favorite musicals is Phantom of the Opera so you can say I was just a little (super) excited to be going to an actual opera in an opera house like I’ve seen portrayed in both the movie and the play. Look out, opera house! Here I come!

Parma’s claim to fame, besides its yummy prosciutto and cheese, is that it was home to famous composer Giuseppe Verdi (or at least it was the major city near his home). Verdi is most known for his operas Aida, La traviata, and Rigoletto. All of October in Parma is dedicated to him, with events all around the main piazza and shows in the opera house.

Parma’s opera house is named Teatro Regio, for the royalty that lived in Parma during the early 19th century when it was constructed. And boy, does it look fit for royalty. Just see for yourself. Words alone cannot describe.

the ceiling inside the theatre

ornately decorated box seats

the view looking out from the stage (minus the floor seats)

I was lucky enough to see one of Verdi’s own inside this gorgeous theatre. Does it get any better than this?

a view of the theatre before the performance from an upper level box

The opera we were going to see was Verdi’s Un ballo in machera, set in 17th century Boston. Ironic! Basically it’s about this love triangle involving the governor, his wife, and the governor’s right-hand man/best friend. Can you say awkward? Anyway, it’s full of jealousy, love triangles, conspiracies, singing, and Italian and I watched sitting in a gorgeous theatre. Needless to say, I loved every second of it and I was actually able to understand about 1/4 of it! (We did talk about the plot in class, though, so I had a headstart.)

the stage during the performance– Notice the subtitles (in Italian) above the stage to help the audience follow along.

a view from a box closer to the stage, with the chandelier lit up for the performance

It’s just hard NOT to be in awe and feel lucky when in a setting like this. Thanks again, Mom and Dad, for this experience. Gorgeous costumes, scenery, and a cultural experience all as class work! Not too bad!

the masquerade scene

(And no, there was no Phantom in this opera, though I haven’t decided whether that’s unfortunate or not…)