Opera at the Movies

Two thoughts after seeing “Turandot” at the movies last night.

1. The Met Opera has created what can surely be called a “new art form” with fabulous camerawork, high quality sound, high-definition video, and fascinating intermission features. Frankly, it’s more fun that actually going to the real opera!

2. We are at the mercy of whichever employee in the theater happens to be in control of lights and extraneous stuff.

Example 1. Last night (Turandot) instead of the Met Opera visuals for 20-30 minutes before the performance, we were treated to a 2-minute endlessly repeating series of ads for something called “FathomEvents” publicizing, among other things, Glen Beck. Spare me.

Example 2. Immediately after the performance of Turandot, a huge DirectDish logo appeared on the screen and pop music started to boom.

Sigh.

If you were there, and were bothered by these things, drop a line to the theater manager

Century Cinemas
1700 Del Monte Center
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 373-8051

Despite all this, don't miss this wonderful opera series: there are more Met broadcasts scheduled. Live broadcasts on Saturday mornings, and “encore” rebroadcasts a week or two later on Wednesday evening. View the schedule on the CMM Calendar page.

~David