STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Good morning. I wanted to document our experience of the opera before I forget everythnig.

Well, except for a few snags, we had a blast last night.

Things started off iffy. I bought a pair of nude Spanx panty hose for $24. As soon as I removed them from the package they ripped. I was so heated. Gary had run to the 99 cent store and the only stockings they had were taupe. So if my legs look a little white in the pictures below, that is why.

I got up at 5 this morning to get my hair done. My hairstylist decided to give me some really tight curls, explaining that they would drop oover the day, and they did. I loved my hair.

I wore my black and white polka-dot dress, enzo angiolini flats, and black, full-length faux fur coat. I carried the pink bow purse with rhinestones, black pashmina, and new pink and white gold earrings. I felt put together. But looking at the pictures I am thinking that I shouldn't wear a strapless dress.  It seemed to hang a little low. I think I should put some straps on it. Funny thing, you can still see the tan lines from my halter top bathing suit from this summer.

Gary wore his dark blue suit, the white BR oxford I bought him the day before, and a black and white print tie.

For makeup, I wore a clinique light blue eyeshadow all over the lid and a urban decay dark blue for the bottom lid and crease. I put on a stainiac berry lip tint and covered it with channel clear lip gloss. I also had on tart cheek stain.

So, we took the A train from Queens to Columbus Circle. We wanted to eat first so we got to the area early. After walking a few blocks, we found an italian place named Il Violin on 68th Street and Columbus Avenue. After just a 5 minute wait we were seated.

We both picked dinners from the $29 Prix Fix menu. We had Calimari and salad. My entree was the Chicken Piccata and Gary had the Veal Marsala. The food was delicious. Not overly seasoned and fresh tasting. Before leaving, I went to the restroom.

After dinner, we walked back the 4-5 blocks to Lincoln Center. I have never been inside the opera house so it was a bit of a shock. It was huge. Lincoln Center consists of 3 large buildings and in the center of them is a large fountain.

Gary went to the restoom while I stood in line waiting to check my coat. I took it off while in line and a couple of minutes later, the most embarrasing thing ever happened. I got to the counter and a woman behind me tapped me on the shoulder. I turned around and she whispered in my ear that the back of my dress was stuck in my stockings! Oh My GOD!!!!! Everyone could see my ASS!!!!! I thought I was gonna die.

But I kept my composure and said thank you to her and just pulled the dress out. Gary returned from th bathroom and I told him what happened. He was so embarrased for me. So we slunk to the elevators to make out way to our seats

We bought the cheap tickets so our seats were in the Fourth Ring, almost the highest ring of the theatre. But we were in the center so we had a terrific view. However, I almost didn't make it to my seat because we were in row A, the first row oever the balcona, and I am terrified of heights. I held on to that railing so hard when walking to my seat. I was so afraid I would trip and fall over the balcony and die! LOL!

So we got ot our seats and I took it all in. The lights around the theatre were shaped like giant diamonds. On the ceiling there was a giant flower and in the middle a huge chandelier with more giant diamonds in the middle. I looked down and checked out all the people around us. Many people were dressed up like we were, but more were in jeans and sneakers. A couple of young people were even in their halloween costumes.

At about five after 8, the lights dimmed and the orchestra appeared in the pit. Then about 5 minutes later the lights went off completely and the music began. During the entir performance, I kept switching my attention between the orchestra, the stage, and the subtitle screen. It was such a full exprience.

The first character on stage was Angelotti. He was an escaped political prisoner. I listened as he ran around the stage and sang. Wow! The voices of these asctors were amazing. My favorite was Jorge Antonio Pita who played the main male character, Mario Cavaradossi. His voice was so strong and beautiful. I was totally taken aback. Even Gary enjoyed it and he doesn't like anything not connected in some way to amusement parks.

So, after 2 hours and 45 minutes (with 2 intermissions), the opera was over. I am so so so happy we went. It was amazzing.

Afterward, I retrieved my coat and we got some soda from the duane reade around the corner and made our way back to the train and home. I totally recommend this experience to anyone and everyone. It will really affect all of your senses.