theoperageek
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We closed Magic Flute last night in St Petersburg (FL) having pulled off three completely sold out shows, a first in the history of the opera company.
(Edit: since multiple people have asked, you can hear me singing the famous aria here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y59QkGCZxK8&list=PLz7BRWA6PaDV1Pv_20DckiWdhr9sVoCpP&index=5)
This has simultaneously been the most uncomfortable yet most amazing costume I've ever worn.
Also, my parents got to both come see me sing. I haven't seen mom since she helped me deal with hubby's first MS attack/hospitalization in 2016, and I haven't seen my dad since 2015. Having them there made my run even more special.
Also my aunt, who has never gotten to hear me sing live in 13 years of professional performances. So that was awesome.
There was usually a line every night for pics with me in costume. The costume is pretty huge - about three feet across - so the maneuvering was special.
These guys are amazing and I'm really glad I got the opportunity to meet and work with them all - talented as hell, wonderful colleagues, and just hilarious people.
Cat tax. My host's cat Ramen judged my late night returns from the theatre very harshly.
FP edit: Uh, wow. OK, since some people asked, here is a partial VIDEO clip with orchestra, from the final dress rehearsal (please note this may sound different from the studio recording above both because live and also was the first time I got in the whole getup and tried to walk and sing!):
https://youtu.be/zVLC0en0XAU
Extra FP edit: I did an album of behind-the-scenes stuff from final dress here: https://imgur.com/a/bdDpY
In lieu of sending anything, mebbe check out your local opera company!
mikebravo89
+1 for the Cake reference
RestartingDaemons
Love the Cake reference
Morg729
MonsoonPoultryHospital
My uncle was a professional opera singer for 30 years here in Canada. He has some amazing stories about his career, and I bet you do, too!
theoperageek
Your uncle sounds awesome! I have alot of Canadian opera singer friends, they probably know him!
CurtGoBang
How does any one know the show is over if you aren't fat?
theoperageek
Generally because we turn out the lights
Orion1030
+1 just for Cake. More if I could for awesomeness.
YibeanVizjerei
Woo! Kelli you are awesome!
theoperageek
Hey I know you
DasCorporal
One of my favorite operas. What a great experience and so glad your fam was there. Being in theater myself, I know how much that means!
expendableemo1
I know I don’t know you but I’m very proud of you! Amazing! Also, you look like a mermaid
theoperageek
I tried to get a picture combing my hair with a fork but no one had one I could borrow
youshouldbuyarowingmachine
Wanna try and get your mouth around MY magic flu........ I... Oh god.. Im so sorry. I need help. I'm just so lonely.
theoperageek
Honestly, the tenor makes this joke so many times backstage I just tune it out. Plus, I have a dagger. He doesn't joke to ME.
youshouldbuyarowingmachine
Tenor? Pfft! Im more a twenty-incher.................. Im sorry...... .. I have a problem.
MightyMouseTech
You have a beautiful voice!
DukeBombadil
After each performance did people stand around and wave? Just to tell me that they love your voice Just to tell me that you were great?
theoperageek
Actually, um... Yes.
EggFooYung
Stand on the F#!%^&* TAPE or you won't be lit properly.
theoperageek
YOU'RE DAMN SKIPPY AND I LOVE MY SPOTLIGHT
sleepypersephone
.
Starkminussuit
Listened to it, and not only is your german flawless, but your vibrato superb and your pitch on the mark. +1 for epic talent!
Amazingamandaaaaa
Where did you listen to it?
Adrillf
Respect to anyone who even tries to sing the aria, serious bonus points for smashing it.
UnderTheStairs4PrivetDriveLittleWhingingSurrey
Kitty looks like Kylo Ren.
Rednaxel6
No its Roger Waters!
miyabi82
He is my spirit animal now
johndeyeti
Cattam driver
teakasaurus
Lulumegan
Looks more like Snoke face to me.
ShitpostingWheneverIFeelLikeIt
theoperageek
He whined like him too
UnderTheStairs4PrivetDriveLittleWhingingSurrey
I need some cream for that third degree BURN!!! XD
BOSSMOPS
wintervoices
You, I like you.
DirkNurple
Goldenteckel
SunAnvil
ignimbrite
If the topic of sand comes up, run.
VoidofStatic
Always
mangoshapedspace
theboringusername
This is one of the smoothest loops I've ever seen. Deserves a post of its own.
J3lackJ3ird0501
Top right corner, only non smooth part of the entire gif
teakasaurus
MyPowerLiesInMyBookshelf
Oooooo!!
DemSumBigAssRidges
Shredded with an 8-pack?
FireBreathingStockBroker
Not enough nipple
AwkwardGirl4691
sahdad
We did the Magic Flute in college, it had a lot more comedy than I expected it would have, we had so much fun.
TohruH3
Love me some Pappagini!
brusten0
You might want to mention it is St Petersburg Florida, not St Petersburg Russia - most of us non-USAians think of the Russian one first.
meheezen
What? Theres a St Petersburg un the USA?
theoperageek
My apologies - I'd done prior posts clarifying that.
brusten0
Nyet problemo, just thought I’d mention. (Trivia - my wife is from the other St Petersburg, so naturally I’d think of that first)
theoperageek
Tell her to have the other St Petersburg call my management! I'd love to sing there. XD
brusten0
Sorry, she’s in Australia with me now (and has been for 10 years this coming August) so she doesn’t have the best connections now.
theoperageek
LOLOL
thedeathstarwasaninsidejob1
Holy shit. That's cool. I'm from St. Pete. I didn't realize there even was an Opera scene there.
InappropriateAbeLincoln
Clearwater here; some great shows / artists come through the area! Check out Strasz in Tam. They have some open rehearsals coming up.
Digicat
Yay! Another st. Petersburgian. Or...whatever we're called.
brusten0
Florussian?
PolitefullyRude
St Pete here too!!!
hurplexdurplexpurpleOP
*Berger
theoperageek
One of the only regionals in the country who has never operated in the red. Profited every year.
Lyconous
Honestly, most of of USAians also think the Russian one first. At least, those of us who know geography/history
RoosterHogburn
As a Floridian, I think first of the St Pete across the state from me, lol
jumpandmisstheground
I lived in the city for 15 years and still think of Russia first.
ArchPigeon
As someone who is terrible with geography AND history I think that it's certainly a name of a place that is somewhere,
Kittyswitch
Floridian here, I thought of the Russia one first as well. (I think of all other imgurians as being far away.)
ethantremblay
I was HELLA impressed until I realized it was Florida (still awesome, boo!). Opera is huge in Moscow and St. Petersburg, RU
BloodChilling
Shout out to @op and SPOG reppin the burg
AndanteXVII
I discovered I'm a decent singer in High School and have always wanted to learn/do opera. Alas, no teachers or performance groups where I am
OSCgal
That's a thing you can start in college, no problem. Look for one with a good musical performance major.
theoperageek
You sure? Check the local unis!
missladymondegreen
nice headgear! glad your family got to see/hear you!
Maungroas
Soundcloud was surprisingly good! Too bad it only had piano accompaniment. Hopefully a full pit for the actual performance?
theoperageek
I have a recording of the Sitzprobe, but it's a little crazy since I've facing the orchestra half the time.
theoperageek
Also, just FP edited - video : https://youtu.be/zVLC0en0XAU
Maungroas
Great job. Always exhausting work!
BreakingRad
Nice costume, I love the magic flute, my first experience with an opera was listening to Diana damrau song queen of the night aria1/2
BreakingRad
Didn't even know a voice could do something g like that 2/2
LasciviousHedgehog
Ive always wanted to ask an opera singer, for operas in a foreign language do you understand what you are singing or just know the sounds?
theoperageek
We always translate first. No point or sense in singing or emoting something you can't understand.
umbrellamaker
Can you do that really tricky soprano aria from the Magic Flute?
theoperageek
That is what I get paid for (and linked)
MalkavianProstitute
After watching, I am now interested in opera. A switch has been flipped. You are WONDERFUL.
vendorsplendor
I'm listening right now and I wouldn't know what they meant by tricky soprano aria but I'm hearing it and it's AWESOME. CHILLS
umbrellamaker
Found it
umbrellamaker
It's still very tricky and I have seen others not quite make the leaps it requires
FyreHaar
Nice staccatos!!
b509
No critic, musically this is a very beautiful version of one of my favourite arias. Just wanted to say: A german speaker pronounces the 1/?
b509
consonants (especially t's and k's) much rougher -especially when angry- and although I know that the notes emphasize the vocals more, 2/3
b509
this diminishes some of the emotion (for me). Anyway: beautiful singing, thanks for sharing! 3/3
theoperageek
Opera singing diction and spoken diction are WAY diff. Austrians, for instance, are softer on explosive consonants, as are most Americans.
theoperageek
I lived in Northern germany when i was a kid, so I was lucky and got a good accent down. :)
Rosie2003
Damn fine coloratura!
tinyhandproblems
When you said "Magic Flute" I was hoping to hear your rendition of that aria, and was not disappointed! You have a lovely voice!
theoperageek
Aw thank you!
DirkNurple
Way too fit for a singing fat lady reference. Opera seems inaccessible to guys like me. Any suggestions? Congrats on the success!
SecretlyARedPanda
I suggest something like Queen's "A Night at the Opera" or possible Repo: The Genetic Opera.
voiceofnightvale
It’s clean. Its rare. It’s pure. It takes you there.
SecretlyARedPanda
Bloodbath. It's gonna be a bloodbath. Cause no one crosses Geneco, no not even Repo...
crazycatladiesunite
My teens liked "La Boheme" because the musical Rent was loosely based on it. Plus it is shorter than Mozart operas.
theoperageek
i'm doing Boheme in June. Musetta (Maureen)
mememurderer
We did La Boheme in hs. I hated the story. It was fun to sing tho. Still wished we had other options.
ProbablyProbably
Don Giovanni is where I would start. Also, while watching/listening, print out the English translations to follow along with. Wiki it too!!
NoSleepTilBrooklyn
Lots of the bigger opera houses have translated supertitles, too.
theoperageek
The commendatore scene is baaaaalllller
josquinismyhomeboy
That scene is how I got my boyfriend into opera! Now he goes to the library to look at librettos while he listens to operas. I'm so proud.
jporter34
I also highly recommend watching and not just listening to one. It is vastly more enjoyable and will actually make sense.
DirkNurple
Yeah. Just listening.... not my thing. Pretty ladies in tight dresses... I’m listening.
OSCgal
The popular ones are pretty accessible. They're just huge visual & musical spectacles built around tragic, comic, and/or raunchy plots.
Joejitsu
Look up group muse. You’re welcome.
skybluestar
look for opening night specials. Google "Operas near me" and viola!! Get some tickets and go!!
crabbydotca
I like baroque operas best because they a little more theatrical and lively. Avoid “Park and Bark” productions like Madama Butterfly
MadameDex
Upvote for "park and bark." Never heard that.
bandicootsnoochieboochies
What do you mean by park and bark?
MadBeatrice
Big voice singer walks on stage. Takes a position. Sings loudly. Leaves. Little to no acting. (Bad/old staging)
theoperageek
Where the singer basically just pants their feet and sings the aria without bothering to move or act.
theoperageek
Get a good director, no park and bark!
zamielvanweber
Personally I would list in no particular order: Der Freischütz, La Fanciulla Del West, The Magic Flute, Gounod's Faust, and Barber of Sevill
MadBeatrice
Oh, Faust is so wonderful!
theoperageek
ANGES PUUUUR ANGES RADIEUUUUUUUUUX! PORTEZ MON AME AU SEIN DES CIEUUUUUUUX!
theoperageek
crabbydotca
(Though it’s still very beautiful! Just a little boring for me)
DenverCoderIX
I've seen Madama Butterfly live a couple of times, fell asleep both at the end of the 2nd act. No wonder Cho-cho-san does too.
MadBeatrice
Rinaldo is one of my favorites. Baroque gets way too little love.
theoperageek
I get to play men in Baroque. ALL THE LOVE
girafadepapel
Are you kidding?! It’s one of the most beautiful operas ever! Up there right after La Boheme for me.
girafadepapel
P.S. saw an amazing production in Budapest in 2015 with very clever staging. Mesmerised!
megagreg
I don't have a ton of experience, but I find opera goers wear a wider variety of styles. Not just dressed up/down, but outlandish/plain. 1/
megagreg
There's nothing you can wear that will make you look out of place. Plus the sound of a live performance like this is beyond words. 2/
megagreg
In Edmonton (and I assume everywhere) they subtitle (and surtitle) the performance, so you're never lost.
DelicateMenstrualQueef
Why HELLO, fellow Edmontonian!
theoperageek
Always supertitles! And having us singing in your face is certainly... Uh... Well, you'll stay awake
megagreg
I felt so bad the time my wife fell asleep during Aida. She had worked weeks of long days and was getting sick though :(
theoperageek
Oh, it isn't inaccessible at all! This one (magic Flute) is a great place to start. I usually tell people start with Mozart-very accessible!
therealcoolhand
Rossini was my start - La Cenerentola
theoperageek
SO FUN
therealcoolhand
The overture did me in. Still not an opera buff but at least there's a path now
IronMagnus
Pfft... Mozart ain't got nothing on Gilbert & Sullivan.
djentleman14
Nah jump straight to wagner, who needs to know what they're saying?
mazimillion
There’s a really great animated version that you could watch first! Then maybe watch the opera itself!
bandicootsnoochieboochies
I would recommend Puccini operas. Classic tragic love stories all, and arguably the best operas period.
theoperageek
Now that I'm home, I'm giving myself a week off then jumping feet first into my first Musetta for June shows.
TheTMThatDecidesTheLanguageOfLanguagesThatAreDecidable
Turandot was one of the first operas I ever saw and I was completely blown away by how good it was. It's still one of my favorites.
DirkNurple
I will check it out!
Oumpapah
Would recommend Verdi too for the memorable melodies and great stories!
theoperageek
If you like dark humor, Don Giovanni is full of it. Flute is fairy-tale ish. Don't EVER start with Wagner
MadBeatrice
Cosí is awesome too. Also, J. Strauss's Die Fledermaus for super upbeat hilarity (an operetta)
DirkNurple
Dark humor for the win!
burpcats
I loved Magic Flute as a child (still do) I watched the Ingmar Bergman version growing up
MistressLyda
A odd question maybe, but could you recommend opera that has both male and female singers, but are not full of high pitched notes?
theoperageek
Most Puccini! I'd say... La Boheme. High notes but nothing like what I posted here.
MistressLyda
Thank you! :D
dunewarrior
This is hilarious because I compared Magic Flute to a Gilbert&Sullivan operetta as how G&S was so much more accessible than opera
KeezieWeezie
I would not agree that the magic flute is a good place to start, start with Gilbert and Sullivan. Start with Pirates of Penzance or Mikado
theoperageek
You can not agree, but G&S is not everyone's cup of tea either. The latter can be overwhelming. :)
KeezieWeezie
True but I think they’re more “accessible.” I’ve performed in the Magic Flute and enjoy it but it is quite long and tedious
lkm001
La cenerentola - Rossini! It's a story one is usually familiar with, great music, and (often) great singing!
Lacklessfuckwittery
Aww. Your parents look so proud. I've never really got into opera but I'm always open to new music. I'll give it a listen.
Shistosomiasis
The magic flute is an absolute joy. funny, touching, so good.
MiraSparkleAnimal
So this Woman is AWESOME (girl crush allert!) Seriously though, what a talent!
beegobuzz
Looks like she played Queen of the Night there. She's got some -pipes- to crack.
SomethingThatRhymesWithBones
Magic flute is actually a really good first opera to start with. It's in German, so maybe watch it instead.
jporter34
Opera is meant to be watched, not just listened to. It makes so much more sense and is way more enjoyable to see a show rather than listen.
happytreeleaf
But I can’t understand a word. How can I enjoy a play in German when I don’t speak German?
56chatnoir0
A lot of venues have subtitles.
happytreeleaf
How does that work?
56chatnoir0
Sorry just saw this - they have crawler set up above the stage
PrincessKikkey
Oh, you really should see at least one opera show. I know, "it's thing for rich old ladies", but it's really amazing to look at!
Lacklessfuckwittery
I do plan to at some point. I've always fancied seeing Faust but not sure if it's right for an opera virgin.
PrincessKikkey
Faust is as good as any... There's so many ways they can do that. If you are really new to theatre, I'd advice to see some plays /1
PrincessKikkey
before opera, so you can get a grasp to this stuff. Maybe some musicals, ballets, something. It's not movies I can tell you that. /2
Lacklessfuckwittery
Oh no I've seen loads of plays and some musical theatre. I try to go a few times a year.
PrincessKikkey
Oh... Then I'd say kick it! Go see some Faust! It's like theatre but much more... Well, you'll see. ◕‿‿◕
sreav
I always start with the children's version of Peter And The Wolf. It explains the instruments with the storyline so you understand well
eeskay
I learned on that LP in the mid-late eighties as a child
viludium
What is OP's opinion on symphonic metal? It's pretty much power metal with elements from opera (mostly singing) and classical music.
ethantremblay
Ugh, here I go again having to fall into the trance that is Tarja Turunen
theoperageek
Her opinion is it is heckin awesome. Tho her favorite metal bands are Blind Guardian, Sabaton and AMON Amarth
viludium
That is awesome. And the fact that someone else also likes melodeath always suprises me aswell as makes me happy.
Kittybitters
Sabaton! +1
Roehcai
Blind Guardian is awesome, and I love their collab with Iced Earth, Demons and Wizards (it helps I'm a King fan too).
Roehcai
Ironically, I'm listening to Tamerlano when I came across this post.
theoperageek
I love...gee i wonder...night at the opera. Soulforged is AMAZEBALLS go go raistlinn
Roehcai
Oh yes, I've been a Dragonlance fan since childhood, so that one has a special place for me.
TheGrubermeister
You make one hell queen of the night. Good job on that aria!
theoperageek
Its basically the only female (non-pants) role where being six feet tall works in my favor. With the crown, I was close to seven feet.
TheGrubermeister
Convince your Opera company to do Nixon in China next. You could be the tallest Mrs Mao ever.
theoperageek
SNort. We are all actually freelancers - every year we have to auditions for the seasons of each company
TheGrubermeister
Gotcha. Well, best of luck in future seasons!