Colleen and I were guests of Judith and Stan for dinner and a night at the Los Angeles Opera Saturday night. We left our capes and top hats at home as we gathered in a filled Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for Richard Wagner's "The Flying Dutchman" opera. The orchestra was filled with astounding musicians and at times the stage was full with dozens of male and female singers all dressed in black. Dancers joined the "Spinning Wheel" number with black dresses with silver "hula hoops" quipped Stan...a very modern impression of spinning wheels. The lead singers had strong voices with the Dutchman having a deep haunting tone. Erik, the one who looses his betrothed to the Dutchman, was filling in and sang a beautiful tenor (he reached down to thank the prompter after the performance). The theme is dark and so is the staging with Senta, soprano, forsaking Erik and walking through the mist to find The Dutchman and through her love save him from eternal damnation.
The opera was written by Richard Wagner in 1833 with terrific stormy sailing music that I am still humming. This production was conducted by James Conlon who joined the entire cast and orchestra on the stage for the long standing ovation. Thank you Stan and Judith!
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