Saturday, May 26, 2012

Opera: Rigoletto

Bravo to NBR NZ Opera for this one, at Wellington's St James Theatre.
The modern setting rather than the classic operaone was unexpected, and fantastically well done, minimally uncluttered revolve stage but very effectively lit, with an overhead front drop for the colonnaded palace scene. Great touch with the reflective marble.
AJ and I are no opera buffs, we simply enjoyed the whole thing. I thought Warwick Fyfe was better in the second half, AJ revelled in Emma Pearson's voice. The Duke was a real prick, which goes to show the role-play was outstanding, and emotion thoroughly evoked. Minor leads enhanced the entertaining difference with solid performances
We'd swotted up the plot beforehand and once accommodated to the setting twist, the range of human foibles and consequences well illustrated and easy for us amateurs to follow.
That Mr Verdi was obviously no mug.
In the impression test, still in my head 3 days later...  and that's something.
The better view and seating over that of the Opera House was appreciated too.

For afters we chose Monsoon Poon.
Big ups here too, uncomplicated menu, but fantastic flavours, AJ went for the fried fish and prawn, staple sweet and sour for me, plus rice and pita.
We opted for cocktails from a pretty extensive list, hers rhubarb and raspberry liqueur base, mine, tequila and cointreau, $14 a throw, but OK when you compare with the cost of a bottle of wine, which we didnt want for in the circumstance.
We fell for a closing dessert cocktail, hers khalua based, mine..., I forget!!
Cold as, creamy ice, maybe a bit of menthe, would be great following a hot curry.
Comfortable, easy atmosphere, you can watch the chefs at work and there's a mirror above the servery where you can see your order on its way, driving background musak, out the door for a tad over a hundred.
Would do here again anytime.

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