Well, color me happy because the first time I saw an opera at the Metropolitan Opera, it became part of my soul. Tosca to this day remains one of my favorites and opera I recommend to neophytes venturing to the concert hall for the first time. (Note, not a huge fan of the new production Met, please bring back the ostentatious yet eye pleasing Zeffirelli set.)
Top to bottom: Jennifer Johnson Cano, Emalie Savoy (with Yo-Yo Ma), Dmitri Pittas, Renee Tatum (L) and Layla Claire, Layla Claire, Angela Meade (L) and Jennifer Johnson Cano
Photos by and Copyright to Michael Seto 2011
But the opera is ultimately about the singing, and boy, what a set of instruments. So whenever there is an opportunity to see some opera, I take it, and this summer was no exception with the Met Opera staging six recitals around the city. And, as one of the City Parks Foundation photographers this year, I had a chance to capture some of the rising stars as they serenaded opera aficionados under open (and sometimes rainy) skies.
I was able to get a lot closer than my normal subscription seats (14 years running) at the Met allow - I'm up in the Balcony - so it's a treat to see the power, emotion, and performance up close. Recitals also give people a chance to hear a combination of classic and well known arias, one after the other, like going straight to the dessert cart. We're often familiar with these melodies from ads or movies or other sources, but it's nice to see them live and for newcomers to understand the context and the character - since most of the performers introduced each piece before they started.
Until then, see you at the Opera!
