So we went to see Tosca. This is an Italian play, so the singing was all in Italian (more on that later). Basically, the premise is about a dumb, jealous girlfriend who mistakenly thinks her boyfriend is having an affair, when in reality, he is helping a friend evade capture from the Napoleon army. Because she is not that bright, all this bad stuff happens and it becomes a tragedy, much like a Shakespearean play.
There were apparently some famous actors/opera singers in the play (see how cultured I am). Personally, I thought the woman playing Tosca kind of sucked. Her singing was fine but the acting was just ridiculous. She walked around like a robot, attempting to make arm gestures to show her emotion. But it came off rather fake and at times, very annoying.
As for the language thing, I do not understand Italian even when spoken very slowly to me. I was pretty sure the singing of the language was not going to help me. So I did a bit of research before we went to get the basic premise of the show so I could at least follow the story line. Turns out that was not needed. Above the stage, there was a screen that translated everything into English for you! Yep, subtitles! It was actually really funny at first and made the Opera less of this high society, snooty event that is always depicted in the movies.
Overall, the experience was good. I don't think I would go back to an opera anytime soon though. I prefer theatre with words in English. I prefer better acting and a story-line that does not make women seem so completely stupid and useless.
Here is the famous Tosca song. If you can make it through more than 30 seconds, you are more cultured than myself! Enjoy.
