<p>I love College Confidential</p>
<p>My dear friend and I were set to go to NYC this Tuesday to see Armida. Unfortunately, plans changed as she had to accompany one of her children to see a specialist. We were both so disappointed. I just arranged for us to see the HD encore on the 19th - hey, it’s not NYC, but it will still be a fabulous night. I am so excited, especially since she was feeling bad about not being able to go. </p>
<p>Thanks SO much for the suggestion - you have no idea how much this will mean to her.</p>
<p>Armida report: it was wonderful! The first act is sort of “straight”–lots of soldiers and setting of the scene for the rest of the opera. But be patient–the 2nd and 3rd acts are when Armida uses her magical powers, and all sorts of magical things happen. </p>
<p>Renee Fleming and Lawrence Brownlee are both great. There are six tenors in this opera plus the difficult soprano role, so this is the first time it’s been done at the Met. </p>
<p>I hope you and your D like it. There are also previews for next season’s live broadcasts that look enticing. Maybe you’ll start a new tradition with your D for her birthday.</p>
<p>Glad you liked it, bookiemom. I also thought it was wonderful and enjoyed the effective buildup to the (amazing) finale. Oh that Renee Fleming… There was more ballet in this opera than in others I’ve seen, kind of an added treat.<br>
Did you experience loss of audio for the first minute or two? I was wondering whether that was a system-wide problem or just our theater.</p>
<p>The audio was off all through the performance at my theater. It kept missing a beat, like an old-style record “skipping,” every ten minutes or so. Annoying. I hope they fix that before the rebroadcast, for OP and D, and because I might go see it again! </p>
<p>I loved the ballet and I loved the little cupid dancer. Wasn’t she cute–such a good actress with her nonsinging role. </p>
<p>I sat next to a charming 84-year-old man who has been an opera fan since he was 14 years old! He knew all the performers, directors, etc. He had never seen this opera, since it is so rarely performed, and he liked it too.</p>