No, opera’s not for me!
Why should I be forced
To sit and listen
to those people caterwauling
in a language I don’t understand,
But I must join the others,
Probably listen to them moaning,
Such a miserable lot.
Hello, what’s this?
It’s a YOUNG man
Sitting at the piano,
I don’t know that song,
I said I wouldn’t enjoy it!
What’s that?
Wow a beautiful YOUNG girl
She is going to sing to us
I don’t know…,
Yes, I have heard that song,
Heard it before
But I don’t know where.
Her voice is mesmerising,
How could I not enjoy it?
Is this opera?
Have I been so blinded
And missed all this wonder?
There are three more
Singing another song,
A song I have heard.
Look, there is Agnes,
She has never smiled
But she is beaming.
And Jane, forever asleep,
Looking up, her eyes wide open.
I know this song very well,
They want us to join.
Look even Fred is joining in,
Mouth open,
Eyes shining,
Arms waving.
Even I am doing it!
Singing!
Singing opera!
Those voices before us
Are inspiring,
Awe inspiring.
All around me are happy,
Even Joe in the corner,
Never smiled to my knowledge,
He is almost laughing.
Can opera really be so powerful,
Powerful enough,
To get a bunch of miserable old people
To become happy,
Happy and cheerful,
Listening to songs,
Songs of such passion
That the passion that we once had
Stirs within us once more?
Yes, it can.
Days later we can still hear it,
Still sing it.
As we walk along the corridor
Greeting each other with a song,
“Toreador! La la la laa la laaa”;
The beams on our faces
As the wonder of that afternoon
Brings smiles to us all.
Yes, opera is for me!
-
Author:
Goldfinch60 (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: October 7th, 2017 01:34
- Comment from author about the poem: I said that I would post the second poem about the play that the 6characters performed. I was asked to write a poem about the feelings of the people that came to see the opera play, this poem gives my impression of what was and did happen.
- Category: Reflection
- Views: 50
Offline)
Comments7
A fine write again Gold. Is my singing for you?! heehee.
I don't think your modernist type of singing is quite my style.
Thanks Gold. I seem to get on with most styles, even modern to some extent. But I don't jump up and own in worship really. We don't HAVE to, but it looks out of place if nearly everyone is doing so. I grew up with traditional, low to middle-church. Then I get a bit huffy if they say 'Oh it's not where we're "at" as a church, dunno if we could sing that'.
I have a love hate affair with opera. Being a realist I find the find the ludicrous plots a bit of an insult to the intelligence but then I hear the wonderful music and the scales begin to weigh in favour - my favourite memory: seeing Aida in Varona in the amphitheatre, just magical - this is a super piece of poetry Andy.
Thank you Michael. I have loved opera for many years and have most of Verdi and Puccini operas on disc. I cannot seem to get on with Wagner for some reason but I have watched The ring and to me it seems about two months too long.
Have to agree about Wagner but there are some sublime works contained therein but are they worth the wait?
Goldfinch, after reading your incredible poem I want to run out and listen to an opera!
And here is the other reason:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0diDwHtATw
Opera is glorious, we have seen quite a few, my wife more than I as she used to go when she was very young. That clip shows a wonderful singer singing a wonderful song, and as I said last time you will have to join a very long queue to be with Anna.
Enjoyed your poem but just don't enjoy opera, not saying some of the music isn't beautiful because it is ... it just doesn't click for me .
Thank for your comment WL and I can perfectly understand you, people seem to like or dislike opera, it is just one of those things. If we were all the same this world would be very boring.
I have to agree with Michael here - opera has ever been fighting to get nearer to my heart via plots - yet the music has its own power to delight. A great piece of work.
Thank you Fay. I can understand this, the music is so wonderful. I could watch both Rigoletto and Tosca forever.
A great piece of writing here Goldie, but my heart still longs for good 'ole Rock & Roll. Is that orchi I hear in the background? ; )
Thank you AP. I like many types of music and I have left instructions that at the end of my funeral I want them to play Bill Hayley's Rock around the Clock.
aaah, a true Rock & Roller at heart. My kinda guy. ; )
As a vocalist, I do appreciate the fine voices that present opera, but must say it is not my favorite format for hearing a good voice. Well done poem, Goldie!
Thanks Louis, we all like different things and that is good for us all.
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