Opera

The other night Matthew and I saw Lakmé - our first opera at the Sydney Opera House!

I didn't realize that the Sydney Opera House actually houses several venues: Concert Hall, Opera Theatre, Drama Theatre, Playhouse, and The Studio. The Opera Theatre is actually not very big - it seats 1,507, which is smaller than the Brown Theater at the Wortham Center in Houston. However, the Concert Hall is the Sydney Opera House's largest venue; it seats 2,679.

So, we were slightly surprised that the Opera Theatre wasn't larger. I was also surprised that much of the indoors of the Opera House is concrete, too. I didn't expect the inside to have a somewhat impersonal 1970s feel. (Some staircases have red carpet, while others are bare concrete.)

As for the opera itself, it was wonderful, and we both really enjoyed it. Lakmé is by French composer Léo Delibes, and premiered in 1883. Here is some more background info from NPR Music's World of Opera.

Finally, here is Dame Joan Sutherland performing the famous "Bell Song" from Act Two.