Opera in France

Img_1420_1 The Stone steps at the Theater in Orange are also used as seats. This massive first century outdoor theater holds five thousand people. I have been to two opera performances there. Both were jammed packed without an inch to spare.

The first opera I went to at this theater I didn’t know to take a pillow. The second time I went to the opera I forgot to take a pillow! Even with the surreal surroundings, the glorious full moon shedding light upon the huge stage and the movement and sound of the amazing costumed performers, it didn’t subtract one grain of hardness from those rock hard seats! While my behind was going numb, I realized that those seats are wide enough to place a mattress…If you should ever go to listen to an opera in Orange…I strongly advise you to forget a pillow and take a mattress instead!

I wasn’t the only one rubbing my behind while humming when I left!



Comments

11 responses to “Opera in France”

  1. John Martin

    I must tell you how moved I am by your eloquent and unique presentations of life on your website.
    I haven’t seen or felt anything like it and want to express my admiration at your sensitivity to life’s objects and art and the connectiveness that you bring to others in sharing your thoughts. Great work and thank you for bringing the moments home.
    John Martin

  2. Well said Mr. John Martin!
    Oh those old amphitheatres are so gorgeous to sit in! I once saw the opera Aida in the “Arena di Verona” in Italy and it was a truly unforgetable experience, we even had a picnic and vin rouge there. I’d also love to get to know the “Arena à l’Orange”!

  3. Corey, we visited China a few years ago and in the museums there, they told us that years ago the emperors used bricks for pillows. We have become ‘soft’ over the years it seems.

  4. I second what John said..
    RE/ this post: I am picturing in my mind…lines of people filing in for the opera with rolled up mattresses strapped to their backs. hee

  5. judypatooote

    Those do look hard, and old…..a very witty post…

  6. My outdoor music experience was sitting in the back of my husband’s old rusty pickup truck listening to an AM radio…France will always have more culture. But no matter where you are, music under the stars is sweet no matter what the hard sitting surface may be.

  7. I was expecting stories of your wonderful evening last night…? Maybe it was just comprised of a single stolen kiss on someone’s ruby lips…
    But, at least my funny bone was tickled from today’s entry!
    l

  8. I agree with John’s comments.
    You are a true artist and a bright spot in our day ! I think I
    read about this French Opera spot
    in Peter Mayles book… love getting
    to see photos.

  9. that sounds like so much fun! i’ll have to go some day…and i’ll pack the pillow for sure.

  10. Brother Mathew

    Great photo as always! I love the link showing the rest of the architecture very informative..thanks!

  11. I’ve always wanted to attend the opera in Orange…of course I always imagined everything would be the color orange…as all of Roussillon is red…not so=grey, gray, gris.But wait! the surrounding rooftops are orange! I can live with that:) Thanks COrey

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