Puccini Gala: The Virgin Opera

The Puccini Gala: A Celebration of Puccini's Works or what I'd like to call my 'virgin opera experience'. It was only in July that I was telling Sabby and Julia that opera / classical music was REALLY not my kindda thing. I am truly a convert, a 360 degree convert. Turandot totally changed my perspective of this music genre.

Wendy was over at my place some time back, sniffing through my computer's music collection and commented in disbelief, "Fwah, if not that I see it with my own eyes and hear it with my own ears... I wouldn't believe you're into these kind of music!". Honestly, I'm still in shock myself!

In conjunction with the 150th anniversary of the birth of renowned Italian opera composer, Giacomo Puccini; Singapore Lyric Opera (SLO), Singapore Lyric Opera Orchestra, Singaporean conductor Joshua Tan Kang Ming and renowned Opera Soloists presented the best of Puccini's works in a one night only concert at the Esplande.

Puccini's operas have long been regarded as the most popular in the repertoire and are frequently performed in opera houses around the world. The soloist included Cecilia Yap (Soprano), Tan Khar Gee (Soprano), Ha Seok Be (Tenor) from Korea and Zhang Feng (Baritone) from China. My treat for the night was catching Sabby on stage in the chorus again. As usual, the chorus performance was stunning.

Throughout the 2 hour long performance, pieces from Tosca, Gianni Schicchi, Le Villi, La Boheme, Madam Butterfly and his final masterpiece, Turandot filled the halls. There were familiar tunes from Tosca and Turandot and new pieces from La Boheme and Madam Butterfly which I really enjoyed.

Retired political leader, Professor Tommy Koh was also in the audience with his wife just 2 rows in front of us. I remembered catching the couple at the Dim Sum Dollies' Little Shop Of Horrors, the wife was queuing in front of me while waiting for our turns to use the washroom. We had a brief chat about nothing...

After a night of glass shattering, breath-taking opera; the bunch of us (consisting of friends and friends' friend) decided to chill at Max Brenner. I had to get myself a yummy HUG MUG of Javanese Dark Chocolate & Orange Peel. The drink was warm, rich and full flavored in the right sweetness.

Of the group of friends, Sabby and Daniel (friend of Celeste's) were most passionate about the art of opera. Daniel has been singing for 8 years. They were talking opera lingo - 'Aria', 'Tenor', 'Soprano', 'Mezzo Soprano'... opera techniques - 'resonance in the head', vocal ranges and projection of voices...

I was glad Celeste and Yan were with me. Our comments went something along the lines of "The singers' dresses were really pretty...", "The conductor looked rather gay..." I felt so shallow!