As I cruise effortlessly (yep, no effort required) towards the completion of my half century my mind has been exercised recently on what I have learned thus far and what I need to change for the coming decades.
I am a very lucky girl (?) as my oldest friend lives right across the road from me. We have known each other since we were both 7 and …. wait for it…. we are exactly the same age. We will both celebrate our big 50 on the 11th January 2012 (stick that in your diary now – although I promise I will give you plenty of reminders beforehand). So my pal, Rita and I have spent many hours discussing what being 50 means. It is an ongoing conversation and we have not come to any great conclusions just yet, but there are two small things we agree on… so far.
Firstly is that we have vowed to never ever ask “is this it?” From her on we intend grabbing life, taking every opportunity offered, doing stuff for the hell of it and moving ourselves out of our comfort zone on our regular basis.
The second vow we have made is that from now on we will always have a bottle of champagne or proscecco in the fridge. Why? Because we’re worth it. It’s our version of wearing your good knickers every day!
So when my dear husband phoned me yesterday to ask if I was up for a trip to the Opera that night Rita’s wisdom floated to the surface. Opera? OK – so far I would have never really been that taken with Opera but at nearly 50, maybe I am finally old enough to appreciate it. And it was in the Grand Canal Theatre and I love the Grand Canal Theatre. “OK”, says I to him “let me see if I can organise it.” Babysitter, dinner for kids and organising a lift to the Dart for myself was organised in jig time and I raced to get suitably glammed up for a Night at the Opera. We were going to see La Traviata. A quick call to the mother who is a serious Opera Buff and I had an outline of the story.
It was like Date Night. He met me in town and we had time for a drink at the bar before taking our seats in the auditorium. I relaxed as the wine did its work and I settled down giving myself over to the music and the spectacle. Within ten minutes I was asleep. I came to again towards the first interval when the hunger pangs began to gnaw…. I of course had no time for dinner.
Sensing the danger of a hungry wife, who is generally a grumpy wife, himself went off to get me some interval ice cream. The sugar worked and as the production began again I concentrated on following the action. I really did try. The RTE National Symphony Orchestra were great. The singers could definitely sing. The leading man bore a disconcerting resemblance to Neil Oliver, that cute Scottish guy who presents Coast on the BBC. But while the music enthralled the majority of the audience I could feel my spirit soaring up and around the auditorium looking for diversion while physically I gave in to sleep again. By the time I came to for the second interval, I was really hungry and hoping that himself was as bored as I was and that we could knock back our interval drinks and head out for pizza. But although he wasn’t exactly waxing lyrically about it, he was determined to stay. I texted my kids wondering what was happening on I’m A Celebrity..
So, the morning after the night before, I can now categorically state that I do not like Opera. It leaves me unmoved, totally. Seeing Aida performed live in Verona is now off my bucket list. My mother is trying to come to terms with the fact that she has, in her words, a Philistine for a daughter.
As we headed for the chipper, I thought how proud Rita will be of me; I moved out of my comfort zone and jumped at an opportunity without much hesitation. Although the experience did leave me asking – “is that it?”
Photo of The Grand Canal Theatre plaza at night by Damien Synnott on Flickr
Now this made me laugh, I love the idea of the forever and ever bottle of bubbles in the fridge and admit to being a philistine too, however, I feel there are very few people who actually enjoy Opera – it's all for show!
Yes, I am very proud. I have taught you well…you now know you don't enjoy opera and you're not even 50 yet! My work is done….
Is there no one out there who likes Opera any more? Well, there must be because performances are usually booked out. None of my friends are enthusiasts. No, I tell a lie. I have two friends who would probably sort of like opera, but one is a ballet fan and the other is a lover of baroque music and now my only daughter swears she will never ever go again, – not even to Aida in Verona.
I hope you didn't snore. 🙂
Lovely post Barbara. x
Hope ya had yer good knickers on !! Great post,Barbara – I shared a house with an Opera buff onetime, he talked me into going to Aida…hadn't a bulls notion told him it was fabulous, 'tis great to get to the stage where you don't feel you need to pretend anymore thank God !! I was in the Grand Canal with ya.. asleep wanting the ice-cream, wanting to slip out..texting the kids 🙂 luved this, nice one ! x
Brilliant! I discovered a similar dislike very early on. As an only child, I indulged my father by listening to opera with him. I even, as soon as I had means, bought tickets for he and I to go….and that's where it ended! Listening to snippets at home is one thing, but stuck in an uncomfortable seat, with no escape, is another!
Great post, B. Getting older I think gives us the right not to endure something we don't like.
I love the idea of the champers in the fridge:)
I feel your pain! I fell asleep at an opera when I was at school, then when older I saw The Pearl Fishers opera and just didn't get it and I so wanted to enjoy it. I am 4yrs older than you are and like your thinking with bubbly in the frodge (runs out to buy some) The only way I've changed since hitting 50 is I'm more laid back and accepting and I've became a gran, now that does makes you feel old. Loved this post.
What a shame. I was so sure you were going to enthuse loudly about your evening but I have to admit *whispers so no one else hears* Given a choice of opera or pizza, it's a pizza every time for me.
I love Opera Noirin! Pity you didn't discover a dormant love of Opera Barbara! I too keep a bottle of bubbly in my fridge. Never know when the need to celebrate will grab you!
Noirin please come to Verona and I will go to Aida with you…….all my freinds have seen it before and don't want to go again !!!
Great post Barbara, you tried at least. I love the way you ended this piece with the question, 'is that is?' great!