Free the Opera Now. Do it do it do it do it do it no-oww.

Just in case you get all of your information from this blog (which is, by the way, a seriously bad idea), here's some Breaking News:

The Metropolitan Opera is streaming free operas this week. Last night was Carmen, and here's how the rest of the announced schedule looks: 

Puccini’s La Bohème (March 17) 

Verdi’s Il Trovatore (March 18)

Verdi’s La Traviata (March 19)

Donizetti’s La Fille du Régiment (March 20)

Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor (March 21)

Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin (March 22)

I tried to tune in last night for Bizet's Carmen, and I had some trouble: the website wouldn't load on my computer, and the Met Opera App on my tv just kept spinning in circles. No doubt the demand exceeded the system's capacity, and Opera broke the Internet for a little while. Which is good. I mean...who knew? Even better, though, is that by 8:30 I was able to get onto the website via computer...and when I tested the App out on my tv, it was working, too. So be persistent. And keep it mind that you can watch any of the performances anytime from the 7:30 pm "premiere" showing until 3:30 pm the next day. After that, though, it turns into a pumpkin, so pace yourself accordingly.

As for Carmen....

Well, I've seen this one a few times. And the music is superb. In fact, even if you've never listened to an opera before, I guarantee you that you will know at least two of the tunes contained herein. And the story is pretty good. Opera plot lines tend to be a bit WTF? at least in part, but this one holds together pretty well. 

But there were two extraordinary things about this version of Carmen. First, the scenery was amazing. You just don't get sets like that in Louisville, Kentucky, friends. In fact, even though I've been to New York City eight times...and swore that the last time would be The Last Time...as soon as the curtains opened on that first set, I turned to Jacqueline and said, "We're going to see an opera at the Met." 

Second, the woman who plays the title role...Elīna Garanča...is...well, there's just no polite way of saying this...hotter than a magnesium flare in the desert. On Mercury. During the summer. The hottest day of summer.

If your image of a female opera singer is still Brynhildr...

...then you are in for a big surprise. (No reverse pun intended.)

At risk of stating the obvious, I will add that (1) you can pause, stop, and restart this playback anytime. It is not a live stream...and (2) there are sub-titles available, but you might have to turn them on with your remote. So do that.

Enjoy!