Skip to content

Bob Baddeley

Menu
  • About Me
  • Contact
  • Resume
    • Publications
  • Projects
    • Personal
    • WYZGYZ
    • Propeller Health
    • Wacky Dancers
    • Hackaday
    • Allergy Amulet
    • Quietyme
    • BlueTipz
    • Portable Scores
    • PNNL
    • Oregon State University
    • University Of Great Falls
Menu

Opera in the Tri-Cities

January 27, 2008

Tonight was a dress rehearsal of Washington East Opera performing The Marriage of Figaro. Tickets were only $10, and I hadn’t seen an opera in a while. This was the first one I remember hearing in English, and while the singing was good, I have to say I prefer hearing opera in its original language. I thought about this a lot, and I’m pretty convinced.

First, it’s distracting trying to parse what’s being sung to try to pick out the words and string them together into a sentence. I’d much rather separate the two and have the easily read words on a readerboard or projector and listen to the singing.

Second, a lot is lost trying to mash English translation into the lyrics. You end up with awkward sentences, missed jokes, and a completely different feel.

Third, it’s harder to understand AND you feel less classy because they had to put it in English for you. I didn’t go to Europe to hear the French and Italians speak to me in English, and most of the time I wished they wouldn’t. Next they’ll be putting up cue cards to laugh and awwww.

Perhaps I’m being a little hard. These are just my initial reactions to my first English translation of an opera. The singing itself was good, and I’m glad I went.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Bob Baddeley

I am a computer engineer experienced in developing products from proof of concept through mass production. I want to have a positive impact on the world.

Search

Recent Posts

  • Recovering a Water Bottle
  • Heat Pump Water Heater Installation
  • Bibimbob
  • Do Treehouses Need Permits?
  • Aurora Borealis in my Backyard!

Categories

  • Building
  • Computers
  • Cooking
  • Hackaday
  • Panoramas
  • Personal Projects
  • Skydiving
  • Sports
  • Uncategorized
© 2025 Bob Baddeley | Powered by Superbs Personal Blog theme