A love for art

by: Robert

Each of us like art in one form or another. My guess is that most of us find that love at first sight. It's not like wine or sushi, where it takes a slow introduction. My mind is still buzzing, I feel like I have just walked out of my first KISS concert. Except this time my chest didn't get thumped on by all the bass and my ears aren't still ringing. This was a real treat.

I have always liked theatre. I never pursued it, because I can't remember enough lines to save my life. And I'm too shy to stand up in front of a crowd and share a story. I did however manage to recite a piece about a boy who "had a little momento". A homerun ball hit by Lou Gehrig. Another scene from "Love in the Afternoon," "...eyes are thighs and lips are hips...". That was embarrassing in high school. Despite my own limits, I love theatre, and after tonight, I have found another love- the opera.

It impressed upon me so much that the Director actually came out to our group and explained the collective process of pulling three stories into one. Nicholas Muni shared his vision and explained each step in the unfolding story of Cupid, Love and even a piece of Christianity.

I should have gone to the cast party. Fear gets the better of me sometimes.

To each of you that had a hand in my evening, thank you.

Robert

intermission...

by: Robert

Ok, the take on my first opera attendance - so far.

This is new and exciting. I get a real feel for the passion of the story from the delivery by each artist. Strong vocals with music that travels up and down with each emotion. There are moments of peace and frustration, violence and a final view of pain and loss. There is also a feeling of redemption, realizing she is dying and asks to be baptized. Born a Christian and raised a Muslim, she knows where her peace will be, with Christ.

The backstage walkthrough and meeting the director

by: Robert

I have not been near a stage in many years. My last performing arts attendance was nearly 10 years ago, I took my kids to see The Nutcracker. Prior to that, I was a senior in high school taking theatre. This is a small trip down memory lane as I sit amazed, trying to soak in everything around me.

Our tour backstage was short and informative. Ironically all the lights were off, quite dark, watch out for the steps- or in my case the backlights. I enjoyed seeing the stage manager prepare and go over notes while having us hover. Focused, crossing out notes and away she went. On the stage a quiver, a bow and a broken arrow sit.

Upstairs we met the director. Full of information and clearly passionate about the stories and connecting three individual operas in one night.

Not much to share yet, but I can tell this will be a treat well worth waiting for.

Is America Lost? * needs links put back in *

by: Robert

I often wonder what it would have been like to grow up in America prior to World War II. Our country seems to have lost a lot of its swagger and national pride in the last few decades. To blame the fallout and social changes on the Vietnam War seems a little far-fetched. Was there a rush to volunteer for the Korean War? Not like our country witnessed in every other time of conflict in our nation's history.

I vividly remember watching the news as I got ready to go to work on September 11th. "Breaking News, a plane has crashed into the World Trade Center." I watched in disbelief, asking myself "How could this happen?" Then, another plane crashed, and my thoughts instantly went to Terrorism!

Did we as a nation come together as America did after Pearl Harbor? Possibly, but it didn't last long. Why? President Bush did what we all hope to do, he made a plan and stayed true to his beliefs. He never waffled in his stance and looked forward; always keeping the end clear in his mind (I will side with him on many issues, regardless of how unpopular they are). But somehow, he became the focus of the country's anger.

Our nation has lost sight of why America engaged in a war - two wars, for that matter. Many of us seem to have forgotten about the Twin Towers falling and the loss of so many innocent lives. We have forgotten that Osama Bin Laden has been a thorn in our side for many years, and that this was not his first attack on America.

Men and Women of our country have bravely paid the ultimate price and sacrificed their lives in the spirit of Freedom while the rest of us sit back and take it for granted. What will it take to unite our country? I hope we don't have to witness another attack on Pearl Harbor.