I went to the ballet. This is a big stretch for me. I've been once before. I went to the Three Musketeers, because I love the book. I have no ability to judge or process it. They looked good, but who knows whether they were? I kept waiting for them to talk, which was funny.
This time it was Don Quixote. I adore that book (Edith Grossman translation for anyone that wants to read it - it's brilliant, very Monty Python). So when a friend suggested it, I accepted. I got dressed up and as I moved through the casual comedy crowd in the other theatre, I felt I was in the wrong crowd - I was not where I belonged. I began to wonder if I'd made a huge mistake....
It was the closing night and the alumni was invited as it's the 60th birthday of the Australian Ballet. They stood up and we all applauded and I felt I was visiting a subcluture to which I wasn't part of. A stranger visiting a strange land.
The ballet itself was a reinactment of the 1973 Rudolph Nureyev film that threw international attention on the fledgling Australian Ballet Company. It was magnificent. Great direction with film morphing into real life on stage. Funny and colourful, a gorgeous spectacular. Instead of being bored as anticipated, I was laughing and clapping along with everyone else. It was delightful. I still felt like an out of place child in a room full of sophisticated grown ups, but I didn't mind. The ignorant amongst the educated, but I still enjoyed it on my more basic level.
It was a good reminder, as Don Quixote said “Thou hast seen nothing yet.”
Looked like a fabulous night out.
ReplyDeleteWow, that all sounds wonderful Lydia. I'm glad you went too, and then shared the experience with us. Thanks for joining us for WBOYC.
ReplyDeleteI love how you describe this experience, the stranger in a strange land motif. That was me taking my mom to the opera many years ago. "I don't belong here, I'm a rube among sophisticates, I'm going to be bored." And it was lovely. Maybe I'll try ballet next. So glad you had a great time!
ReplyDeleteI so love operas and this theatre is truly stunning, I'm feeling in awe watching at your wonderful shots!
ReplyDeleteWith utmost gratitude fot taking the time for visiting my blog and commenting,
I'm sending my dearest hug to you
XO Daniela @ ~ My little old world ~
Gosh I miss the Ballet at the Opera House, Lydia. I live in Queensland and rarely get to Sydney now. When I was younger my friend and I would have season tickets to the Australian Ballet. It was lovely to dress up and having been a ballet student and teacher I always enjoyed the performances. Thanks for sharing with us at #WBOYC
ReplyDeleteI'm seeing the Australian Ballet in London (my home town) in July. I'm a huge ballet fan. Enjoyed reading about this new production.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blog of the Australian opera house.
ReplyDeleteLooked like a good night you had I have never been to the ballet either but I enjoyed the pics, so it did make me laugh what you said heheh! :-)
ReplyDeleteHave a ballettastic week 👍
I'm so glad this turned out to be a great experience for you. Thank you for sharing the pictures, there were some very interesting angles of the opera house -- what a spectacular building in itself. I haven't been to ballet for ages but you make me want to look for an opportunity.
ReplyDeleteHi Lydia, I've not seen Don Quixoti as a ballet but think it would lend itself the way Carmen did. Carmen is one of my favourite ballets. #WWandP
ReplyDeleteOh I love the theatre - no matter which of the arts is being performed. And yes, we can sometimes feel out of place when the place is full of knowledgeable others but it is never a mistake to ‘try something new’.
ReplyDeleteWe have man6 theatres here in Melbourne but nothing quite like the Opera House. Lucky you!
I've enjoyed ballet each time I've gone, but you're right - sometimes dialogue would help with understanding the plot. But the dancing is amazing to see.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2023/05/uh-oh-i-had-few-more-quilts-to-share.html
Hello Lydia. I haven't been to the ballet for years. I did love it when I went, but like you, I have no expertise to judge, except if I enjoyed it...and I did. I'm glad to hear you did as well.
ReplyDeleteBallet is not my jam, even though I had school friends who were into it. However night time at SOH is...and that is amazing too. I cannot fault any part of SOH and the views from everywhere. I am so glad you have something new to you 'a go'. I’m a bit late to commenting this week…oops. Thank you so much for joining in Wednesday’s Words and Pics. I hope you are here again soon. Denyse.
ReplyDeleteSounds wonderful! I've read "Don Quixote" three times, once as a child in a Greek translation adapted for children, once in English in the last year of High School and once in University, in English again. Enjoyed it all times. I've started learning Spanish, maybe the fourth time I'll read it in the original version... Hope springs eternal! Thank you for taking part in the "My Sunday Best" meme.
ReplyDeleteWow!! That is impressive. I think there's something so charming about him - and we can see ourselves in him as we age....sort of.
DeleteI would love to go there. So beautiful. Ballet is not my cup of tea, but I would love to see that facility.
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining the Happy Tuesday Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous day. ♥
What a breathtaking place to see a ballet. Wow!! Sometimes jumping our of our comfort zone can take us somewhere new :-) Thank you for joining us for the #DreamTeam xx
ReplyDeleteGoing to the ballet is on my bucket list but think I will choose Nutcracker or Sleeping Beauty... Thanks for linking up with #DreamTeam
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a fun adventure. I love the images you captured. #DreamTeam
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