CXII: Operatic Fail

The highlight of my trip was going to be seeing Armida at the Met. I went last night, managed to sneak a few pictures in of the theatre (not of the opera itself, that would be blasphemous!), but unfortunately I fell asleep through parts/most of the first and third acts! I am quite disappointed in myself for paying so much for a nap in such a beautiful auditorium. My seat was great, the soprano and tenors were fantastic...my energy, however, was lacking. Luckily I already bought tickets to see the Live in HD version (reprise) with RaeRae, so I will get to see what I missed. I think I would still choose to watch it in the movie theatre over in an opera house because you can appreciate it that much more. I couldn't see the singers' expressions and the small details in costuming and scenography.

I don't know if I'll ever forgive myself for not being awake for the whole opera at the Met. This guilt will probably continue to haunt me for awhile.

Yesterday I also went to the Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center) and took pictures of the city from high above. After that I took the NBC Studio Tour where I got to see Studio 8H (where SNL is filmed). It was great to see where lots of comedic magic has been created, and I never knew that that studio was originally furnished and acoustically-perfected so that Arturo Toscanini, the famous Italian conductor who worked with my favourite composer Puccini, could record with an orchestra there. It's too bad they wouldn't let us take any pictures on the tour!

I had lunch with my friend Nabila near Columbia University at a great place called Community Food & Juice. I ate an Indian chicken sandwich and drank some strawberry lemonade and was very happy with my choices. She gave me a quick tour of her campus and then it was time for me to shower, get ready for the Met, and then stop by the New York Public Library and dinner before finally catching the opera. The opera that I hyped up and didn't see completely!