The Opera Company of Tirana has probably one of the lowest budgets of any opera company in the world, but oh what it does with its limited resources! I loved the curtain/screen that was on display when we entered the theater. It was simple but set the tone for this oriental opera.
Unfortunately my camera battery ran out during the opera so I was only able to catch these two shots, but I think the second one is quite good. This was my favourite scene of the night because of all the Japanese kimonos, umbrellas and the tea ceremony.
I have to commend the two lead singers for doing a wonderful job! I met Armando last month at a party and he was very strong as Lieutenant Pinkerton, and the young Albania female in the role of Madame Butterfly received a fabulous standing ovation. The scene stealer of the evening was the tiny young boy named"Trouble" who tried very hard not to wiggle while he had to kneel for a long, long time on the floor. Bravo!
I wish the productions were more frequent, and I'm looking forward to the next one!
13 comments:
thank you for sharing these pictures and I'm really glad to hear that you are enjoying the performances in Tirana.
I haven't been to Opera since my high school did The Pirates of Penzance in 19*coughs*.
Maybe I need to investigate opera options in Zürich further!
I saw Madame Butterfly in Budapest, and while I am by no stretch of the imagination an opera buff, it was very good, and a very impressive performance.
Sounds like your was too.
You should come post a review of one of your random books at our new (expat sort-of) blog:
readerswithoutborders.blogspot.com
i bet I would like the books you read, judging by this short list.
Madame Butterfky is one of my favorite operas. I had the good fortune to see a performance in New York over the holidays. The costumes were magnificent! Glad to meet another online opers friend!xoxo
I'm reading this post today, Kim, when I have our Hannover Opera House posted on SC! Interesting. One of these trips Donica and I need to go to one of the operas here. While we've attended many musical plays together in Atlanta (like "Miss Saigon"), we've never attended an opera together. Hmmm. Good inspiration here.
"The Opera Company of Tirana has probably one of the lowest budgets of any opera company in the world, but oh what it does with its limited resources!"
I'm sure the tallent was anything but "limited", and isn't it wonderful to see what creativity flows from a thriftiness of spirit!
It looks very sumptuous...and what a scene stealing name - I love it!
Looks like a beautiful production!
dear Ms. T.O. , I am sad to inform you that Opera experts consider Madama Butterfly a carbon copy of La Boheme. Fans use the Italian mocking expression MADAMA BUTTA ER FLIT = Madama spray ddt around.
Anyway your goodwill deserves Strudel's frontpage
http://www.strudelwahoo.com/albania.htm
WOW
I loved going to the opera when we lived in Kyiv. Wonderful seats, wonderful performances, wonderfully affordable tickets. . .
Hi, I'm also an expat living in Tirana (german, doctor), and I saw the opera! I was dazzeled by the tenor's golden tooth... I couldn't find your e-mail-adress on your blog, so this is my way of asking: Can I use the picture of the curtain in my blog? You should know, it's a german blog, and with a password, strictly for my family. I didn't take my camera and I hate myself for it. Please..?
trixi and Julian... sorry for my late reply! Yes certainly you can use the photo! My pleasure :)
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