In February I saw Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. I’d seen the movie once years before, but this was my first time watching the musical and I had high expectations. Unfortunately once the show started, it only took about 20 minutes before I realised I wasn’t a fan.
Actually, I enjoyed many elements of the show. I loved how elaborate the production was — the costumes! The staging! The effects! I loved the music! I loved the almost ridiculous drama of the whole show! But there was one problem: I hated the operatic elements. Which is a bit ironic considering that this whole show revolves around opera. But it was true. I disliked the opera-esque singing. I knew and understood its technical difficulty, but every time it began, I cringed inside. I left the musical excited to listen to the soundtrack, but also fully resolved to skip all the opera.
Imagine my surprise, nearly a month later, when I listened to The Barber of Seville and promptly fell in love.
My dad had recommended this opera for years, but I’d never gotten around to it. One day at work, I needed something to tune out coworkers, but also something that wasn’t in English so that I couldn’t get distracted by lyrics. I also needed something lengthy enough that I could play it ad-free on YouTube Music. The Barber of Seville fit all the criteria. And now, a few weeks later, it’s my go-to background music when I need to focus.
Let me qualify my love for this opera a bit. I don’t know what it’s about. I don’t know a single lyric. I don’t know who composed it. I don’t know its history. I really only know that it’s Italian. And I love it. I love the singing. I love the score. I love the musicality of it all. It’s so pleasing and pretty to listen to and makes me feel light and airy and lively. And that it makes me feel this way even when at my office desk is nothing short of incredible.
One day I’d love to see The Barber of Seville in person. Maybe even in Italy. Maybe I’ll bring my parents and we’ll have a fun night out — an early dinner of pizza followed by our favorite opera, and we’d end the night discussing our thoughts on it while we slowly walk home. One day.
