Caribbean Girl at the Opera.

During my third week in Sydney, I received an opportunity to attend an Opera. Through my job.

Let me explain!

When I moved to Sydney and became a live-in nanny for an incredible family (see story here). Their 11 year old son (henceforth known as ‘my kid’) is multi-talented (literally) and was hired to perform in opera! Part of my duties would be to take him to and from his performances etc etc.

However, the family gave me the opportunity to watch the show in the audience with them on one of the nights!

How wonderful was that?!

To make it even better…

It wasn’t just any old opera in any old place.

It was the Turandot opera showing in the Sydney. Opera. House.

The SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE!

Overall, the opera is quite popular in the industry (I had no idea about Turandot before that though. So, if you’re in the same boat, doh feel no way). Its most noted song is probably, Nessun Dorma, and has been featured in many movies and shows.

But there I was, new to Sydney, strutting up to the people dem Opera House.

Going to watch a performer that was MY KID. Tres cool no? (T*:”Very cool no?”)

The grand day arrived for us to attend…

We were ready and excited as it was a few of us (myself, his mom and some family friends) attending to support him. He’d performed in at least 10 shows already, with about 15 more to go #professional.

Pause for a cause: By the way, what does one even wear to an opera? My only gauge was what I saw on TV. However, I wasn’t about to put on no long frock* 🤷🏽‍♀️ (T*:”Dress”). Instead, I opted for an elegantly casual over the knee green dress. Whey ee drop ee tap* (T*:”It is what it is”)

We arrived, dropped off our ‘staff member’ (my kid), then ate dinner at a nearby restaurant. When the time came, we entered the revered structure, and I took it all in.

The ‘lobby/ticket area’ of the structure was okay, nothing jaw dropping. Ushers guided us to our seats (Ooo fancyyy) and we entered the second largest concert hall in the building – the Joan Sutherland Theatre. It was when you stepped inside of the concert hall that you were in awe…

The grandeur of it all hit you right in the face when you walked in. Over 1,000 seats carefully aligned on multiple levels littered the majestic hall. The sheer number of them, all in a sort of semi circle, facing a stage where world famous performances were held.

Then, when you looked up, and multiple arches and shapes staggered across the ceiling. It all combined to reminded me of the fact that every single detail in this place was well thought out, specifically designed for a world famous opera house. Add a hint of gloss, fan fare and fancy and you’d get the picture and moment.

Even though I don’t follow architecture, (nor operas), I realized the incredible opportunity I was partaking in. Just stepping into a place like this meant a lot to many people I knew. I was humbled and felt fortunate and blessed, all at the same time 🙂

We took our seats…

I was giddy with excitement and thought again and again, how was I here?! Seated in opera house! To watch my kid perform!

Soon enough I had to snap out of it though because the show was about to begin!

Boom – Music started.

Bam – People were on stage.

And then, they began to sing.

And…….I didn’t understand a word they were saying. Turns out, it wasn’t in English! There was a screen translation though #thankyou

I’ll be honest, after the first 15mins, I wanted to go – “Wellllll, maybe this opera life isn’t for me man”.

The performers on stage belted out at the top of their lunges these slow (sometimes sad) musical pieces, in a language I was pretty sure I never heard of (come to find out it was Italian) accompanied by a live orchestra who played in perfect tune.

It was something I wasn’t used to…

I mean, throughout my experience growing up in the Caribbean, this wasn’t what I normally heard. I was familiar with, “Kang Kang Kang Kang kadang Kang” by Burning Flames or the ‘ping ping ping’ beat of a piece of iron knocking. This was my live music.

This classical opera music that played out live in front of me was foreign.

Dare to say I was in slight shock even.

Nonetheless, I processed, adjusted and digested.

I told myself Alyssa, there’s much hype about this. Focus. Find the ‘art’ in it all.

And soon after, I became engrossed….

“EH EH, this opera is DRAMA man!”

T*:”This opera is filled with drama”

With a little help (Thanks Jay!), I caught on, followed who was who and what was what. I realized this opera was a whole drama story that played out on stage (And yall know I love a story 👀).

Here’s the story line: Turandot was about a princess who didn’t want to marry no ‘fooly man’ (T*: “Unintelligent person”) just looking for power. So, she set up 3 riddles for her suitors and if anyone interested failed, she chopped their heads off. I mean, talk about brutal but talk about girl power 💁🏽‍♀️.

However, a smart but poor man came along and gone go mess up she plans* (T*: “He messed up her plans). He actually loved her AND solved all the riddles. But, she STILL told the man “Gwan go bout ya business. There’s nothing here for you” (T*:”Leave and carry on with your life. You will not get the crown”).

Eventually, she gave him the time of day and they fell in love. Thee end.

I must say though, she was a boss for whatever century period in China the opera was based off of. And another thing, it was set in China but the people were singing in Italian and performing in Australia – Globalization anyone?

It hit me too, ‘Opera watching’ involved A LOT of multitasking:

1. At any one time, a performance had between 2 – 50 people on the stage. They were all in elaborate costumes singing at an opera level. That alone is a major feat.
2. All the lyrics they sang were in Italian. NOT English. However there was a screen above to translate. So, in order to follow the story, your eyes constantly darted back and forth between the screen and the stage, to make sure you kept up with everything.
3. There was a LIVE 50+ piece (estimation) ORCHESTRA located RIGHT below the stage. Now, imagine the back up band for a Soca Monarch or Reggae Sunfest set up X 50. Each person equipped with a different instrument (half of which you’ve never seen before), creating this beautiful music. So in tune with the production on stage, that if all 50+ musicians weren’t playing right in front of me, I would’ve honestly thought it came from a recorded track on speakers.

THAT my friends, is the opera.

The HUGE task of coordinating such skillful, time consuming pieces of work (acting, costumes, stage set up, props, singing at such ranges, and a whole ORCHESTRA) and putting them all together for the audience was just, fantastic. The monumental effort that went into its execution with such a high level of production must be applauded.

Until you’ve been involved in at least one of those environments, you may or may not have a true understanding of such a huge undertaking. Kudos to everyone involved.

I may not have been ‘familiar’ with the opera..

But the important thing was, I was open to it and I gained a marvelous experience in doing so. It was a fantastic production.

Out of everything though

You know what da sweetest, bestest (I know it’s not a word but play along) part of the whole experience was? It was the fact that there was an 11 year old boy performing on that very stage, IN the opera and, I knew him. I was there to support him. For me, it wasn’t just a moment of firsts, but also a moment of immense pride. He did so well!

My Lessons from the night were:

1. 🎶 Blessings fall pan mi life and, mi haffi tank god for di journey… (Lyrics from the song – Toast by Koffee),

2. Don’t knock it till you try it.

3. Be grateful for every opportunity that comes your way 🙏🏾.

These were all things I never expected, but moments I would never forget.

Till next time.

Yours Truly,

Global Gyal