Free Theatre/Concert Tickets Discussion Thread

[rawsalsa]

Went tonight to the ENO to see The Passenger. Very heavy and long opera, but great sets and very moving songs. Prefer opera in Italian, sounds much nicer, English opera does not translate well for me.

I go to see opera quite a bit & couldn't agree with you more. Unfortunately the last ENO opera I went to see I decided was my last in English. Again the sets were good but it bored me tears & for once (because I very rarely leave anything before the end) I left in the interval. I think you did very well to last. Clearly you have a stronger constitution than I do

[superhero]

Did you go and see the Passenger too Rawsalsa?

[rawsalsa]

Did you go and see the Passenger too Rawsalsa?

No I actively decided that I would not go to see an English opera again as my last experience was awful. The friend I took has still not forgiven me for taking her & putting her through what she found was "an awful experience"...she wasn't wrong!

[Ms Thrifty]

I was very torn when I saw the offer for The Passenger as I love opera, especially ENO productions, but was already going to 2 plays/shows yesterday (which explains why I can never fit in any free events!). However, the reviews of this were only 3-star so probably not the best to see there; think someone posted a deal for The Elixir Of Love, which would probably be a safer bet.

I take pxc's point about liking opera in Italian, but actually, whilst many of my favourites are Italian I still like the fact that ENO always sing in English. Unlike some here, however, if I'm really not enjoying an opera, I do simply leave at the first opportunity.... life is too short and some operas are very long. I do appreciate, though, that that's not necessarily an option if you're with someone else or in a group.

[rawsalsa]

You probably have a good attitude to opera.

I wanted to give "The Midsummer Night's Dream" a chance because I love Willard White, however despite the fact he was in it - it was still sh.te...as far as I'm concerned and we left in the first interval.

Nevertheless if it is free and have some reasonably good reviews, I would probably give it another chance...for example, I was considering The Elixir of Love.

[superhero]

The Passenger wasn't that long by opera standards, it's 2hrs 55mins

[Ms Thrifty]

You probably have a good attitude to opera.

I wanted to give "The Midsummer Night's Dream" a chance because I love Willard White, however despite the fact he was in it - it was still sh.te...as far as I'm concerned and we left in the first interval.

Nevertheless if it is free and have some reasonably good reviews, I would probably give it another chance...for example, I was considering The Elixir of Love.

Hmm, not sure whether my attitude merits your kind comment, as I have left operas early far more often than I would like. It's a shame it is so expensive (except when there are good deals) as the combination of cost and previous poor experiences can combine to form a powerful deterrent.

And superhero: anything nearly 3 hours long is long in my book, whatever the art form, especially as I struggle to stay awake in the evening as it is! At least with long plays and films there is the matinee/daytime performance option, but even at ENO the early performances don't usually start before 5.30 or 6.30 pm and there will generally only be one or two of those per run.

[superhero]

I was more thinking Wagner and the Ring Cycle....now that's longgg.

[Ms Thrifty]

I was more thinking Wagner and the Ring Cycle....now that's longgg.

Yup, haven't managed any Wagner opera live yet. Would probably have to book an overnight stay in the vicinity and have an afternoon nap to prepare, too!

[superhero]

The matinee times for the ROH are much better, typically 13:30, 14:30