I have to preface this post with a bit of history and writing about this wonderful event means so much to me. In March of 2012 my mom had a mild stroke that left her no longer able to live on her own and the home she and my father owned in Florida. My mom is a “retired” operatic soprano who enjoyed a wonderful career with the Houston Grand Opera, various opera theaters in New York City, Europe and the Far East. When she suffered the stroke she was acting president of the Gainesville, FL Music Teacher’s Association. Music has been my mom’s life since, as a teenager, she began to tour with church music groups and perform sacred music part of a choir and quartet. Our family always enjoyed beautiful music in the home, theater and anywhere we could find it. One of the things mom enjoyed the most in the past years in Florida was the “Live From The Met” performances offered at a local movie theater there. It became a ritual, driving across town to make sure tickets were bought in advance, planning the day with friends, enjoying a wonderful lunch prior to the showing and then saving seats for whoever might arrive late. This event was a monthly treat during opera season each year, growing to the point that two theaters in the cinema complex were used to house all of the eager fans.
I received notice from Susan Garrett that the Georgia Theater Company is debuting two encore presentations of Live From The Met on July 22nd and 27th at The Island Cinema here on St. Simons. My heart absolutely sang as I quickly dialed mom’s number to share the news. She is delighted as is my daughter who is also an opera fan. They are already putting their heads together planning their day, where they will have lunch and what snacks they will splurge on. The showings are at 2:00pm and will certainly whet the appetite of all classical music lovers!
If you have never experienced Live From The Met you are in for a huge treat! The event is lively with backstage glimpses of the artists, their dressing rooms, wardrobe and scene changes. The whole time you really feel like you are at the Met, meeting the people, hearing the music and loving every minute of it! Interviews with the stars in between acts, words from the Maestro and more will truly delight and lift your spirits like nothing else can. Music is medicine…it feeds the soul and heals in miraculous ways! Do not miss this event! And then you can look forward to the coming opera season when it begins in the Fall and the series really begins!
