What's so funny?

MET production of Rigoletto

We had a healthy helping of culture this weekend. On Sunday we went to a play, and on Saturday morning we saw Rigoletto simulcast live at the movie theater.  The original opera story takes place in 16th century Italy, but for this new production the setting was changed to Las Vegas in the early 1960's.

I have to admit, neither of us are big fans of removing operas from their place and time.  Everyone  knows themes like love, betrayal and death are timeless and universal, so these overly-clever productions are sometimes just a distraction from the music.  But in this case it worked because of the incredibly talented young singers having fun with their Rat Pack roles, not to mention some of the best music in all of opera.  (It would be hard to completely ruin Rigoletto.) Afterwards, we decided it was one of the most entertaining opera performances ever.

Anna Karenina

The play on Sunday was Anna Karenina, based on Tolstoy's novel.  It was showing at the Book-It Theater at the Seattle Center, one of those small, round venues where everyone is close to the stage.  The book Anna Karenina is almost as long as War and Peace, so it was pretty amazing that such a complicated story could be dramatized on an empty stage with just a few simple props.   We enjoyed it, and certainly felt like we got our money's worth-- it was almost 3 hours long!

Rigoletto and Anna Karenina are filled with the worst human horrors: betrayal, loss, deceit, suicide, murder.  There are tiny moments of ironic humor, but the way the audiences were laughing at some of the most serious scenes, you would think we were watching comedies.  John and I often look at each other in disbelief while people around us are cracking up at the opera or theater.  We don't go out to movies often, but I guess "inappropriate" laughter is common there, too.  I found an article in the Chicago Tribune that tries to give an explanation.