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From: James Swanton <swanton@aecom.yu.edu>
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Subject: Getting "hooked" on opera (fwd)
To: Merlo_Loretta@qmcumc.mail.cornell.edu
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Date: Wed, 26 Aug 92 15:25:04 EDT
From: Patricia Miskelly <pmiskel@DAN.APGEA.ARMY.MIL> (SAIL-PMM-M 5-4213)
Subject: Getting "hooked" on opera
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Comments: @FPSP.FAPESP.BR - @FPSP.HEPNET - @BRFAPESP.BITNET - .BR gateway

There has been quite a bit of activity lately about being a lover
of opera and reasons for it. I'd like to keep it going a bit.

Perhaps all of you fellow group members would like to contribute.
I am really interested in how people get to be opera fanatics.  I'm
sure there are some very interesting tales to be told.  How about it?
How did you all get "turned on" by opera?

My story is perhaps a bit different.  I did not become an opera nut
by growing up in a home where it was always played on records and
radio.  Quite the opposite.  I cut my eye teeth on popular music.
My parents were quite fond of Broadway musicals, so I learned to
like them too.  But a terrible thing happened to the musical theatre
around about the 60's or so.  Amplification.  Microphones abounded;
sound was distorted; my ears were in danger of being destroyed.

Simultaneously, I decided to join a local musical theatre group.
It was fun and I got into it with abandon.  "Why not take singing
lessons?" I asked myself.  I did.  In fact the director/producer
of the theatre group was an accomplished singer and teacher, and
she agreed to teach me singing techniques.

Imagine my dismay when she put before me a book of opera arias.
I was aghast!  According to the peer-pressure book of opinion,
opera was not a "cool" art form.  Didn't my friends laugh at it?

BUT....she said to sing it anyway.  Horrors!  Much to my astonishment,
I liked it!  No....I loved it!  What fun to sing!  My ears were
happy.  My soul was oxygenated.  There was only one thing for me
to do.  Attend an opera performance.  So, on one of my visits to NY
for a Broadway show, I managed to get a ticket for "La Traviata"
at the Met.  Verdi was already my favorite composer of opera,
since he is definitely fun to sing.  I was overcome with emotion
at this performance.  Surely there is nothing more sublime!  And
not one microphone!  No amplification!  Just pure music!  I have
been hooked ever since.

I am not a wealthy person.  Far from it.  I am a government worker.
But, I spend every cent of my recreation fund on opera.  The Met
is the best I can find within a day's travel distance, so I got
a Saturday matinee subscription.  I am an official opera devotee
now and can't wait for the first performance (for me) of the new
season, "Falstaff" by VERDI on October 10.  Every summer I go
through withdrawal symptoms.  Finally, come Oct 10, I will get
my much needed "fix."  I am counting the days!!!

So, how about everyone else?  All histories are welcome!

                                 Pat Miskelly
                                 pmiskel@dan.apgea.army.mil



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