After a relaxed day out-and-about in her new Skinny Jeans, Franzi went home to change into an outfit suitable for the opera.
Today’s performance at Opera Frankfurt was “Tosca,” which I hadn’t seen yet, I think. After a day in blue and black, I was in the mood for some color.
“Tosca” is an opera in three acts – based on the drama “La Tosca” from Victorien Sardou – which was written and composed by Giacomo Antonio Domenico Michele Secondo Maria Puccini. Its premiere was in 1900 in Rome.
The story is about love, political intrigue, and betrayal. The singer Tosca tries to save her lover Cavaradossi from the corrupt police chief Scarpia, but deception leads to tragedy and the deaths of all three. Is it culturally particularly valuable? I don’t think so. Was it entertaining? Very few parts were.
Nonetheless, it provided a very welcome opportunity for Franzi to dress up and to go out.
The outfit of the evening was a lovely LBD that I have had for easily 10 years. You have seen it in previous postings, typically worn to the opera and for the most part combined with a colorful blazer. My wife has the same dress but, unfortunately, barely ever wears it.
Portrait of the evening
The elevator shot leaving
On the way back to downtown Frankfurt
At the Frankfurt Opera house. I guess I picked the right color.
I told you before that I try to reach the Opera on time for the introduction, which takes place in the “Atrium” about 30 minutes before the start. As my comprehension of Italian is very, very limited, in particular when it’s sung in soprano, an introduction to the story and its background was in grave need.
The atrium, 30 minutes before the start
The elevator shot returning
Wait, did I not go to a wine bar afterwards? I guess so. Maybe I forgot 😀😀😀. But I am sure I've had a glass of wine at home.
Over the Christmas holidays, I tried to prepare some postings that I can then publish without much effort. Reason is that I need some time to prepare the next series, namely, the one on Franzi’s sixth weekend trip crossdressed. As you might recall, these series are always introduced by a picture collage as a teaser. And for that collage I, of course, need to have all pictures ready for all postings of the series.
And it was a great trip with lots of wonderful outfits and pictures. You’ll love it.
So you didn't enjoy Tosca much. That's a pity as it's my favourite serious opera with some of Puccini's finest music: three people, each destroyed by their own type of stubbornness, and with the best villain in entertainment till Darth Vader came along. But I can see this is a production with the usual horrible modern minimalist set and costumes and dark lighting rather than the very specific and very beautiful Renaissance and Baroque settings and splendid outfits of 1800 required by the score that are there to contrast with the squalid human tragedy unfolding within them. I am tired of such ugly productions and the way arrogant stage designers abuse their audiences with them.
ReplyDeleteThat is a lovely dress you have and the contrasting bright blazer is gorgeous. Much nicer than anything on stage. Looking forward to your next adventure.
Sue xx
Dear Sue, Thank you for your comment. You are absolutely right, the music is fantastic. But the performance didn't catch me. Unfortunately.
DeleteAs for my next adventures, I am planning to run two postings on archive pictures, which I very much enjoy for numerous reasons and then we are moving into the four-day weekend trip to Hamburg. Great pictures and great outfits, I promise. Love, Franzi
Dear Franzi,
ReplyDeletea gorgeous outfit ❤️ The LBD with the pink blazer - you simply rock it! Your appearance is so natural, you simply emit an unambiguous "I love to be a beautiful woman!" message. And - if I may - you have wonderful legs to dress like that (and you know how to pose (them) in a very cute, feminine way, look at picture #5)
Hugs & kisses
Kirsten
Dear Kirsten, Thank you so much for your visit and wonderful comment. I am glad you like by posting and pictures and trust that you have also read some of my other (older) postings as well. I just quickly went to see your blog, which I am sure I had visited before some time ago. I will check it out and read some more on the next occasion. Best wishes, Franzi
DeleteHi Franziska. While I'm not a big Opera fan I have seen Porgy and Bess. It was fun but many years ago. I do prefer the symphony as my fav composers are J.S. Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Vivaldi and, of course, Peyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. We do have a great symphony orchestra here but I have not yet gone to a performance en femme. It is a goal unfulfilled as of yet. I do envy you going to such performances with the wife in tow (not a slight) and wonder if I could do the same here. LOL. Interesting that the first 3 composers were all Deutsch. They are a wonderful treasure that Germans can be very proud of. Love from Canada, BriannaLeah.
ReplyDeleteDear Brianna, Thank you for your nice comment. Out of the great occasions to dress up beyond day-to-day wear, opera, ballet, symphony are somewhat readily available, even though they come at a price, and I love all three alike. I'd love to attend an opera ball, but so far I have not been invited to one :-( Unfortunately, my wife and I have so far only had very few occasions to go out with me en femme, such as at the Bayreuth Wagner festival. She knows a lot of people in Frankfurt and we'd likely run into somebody. In a few weeks, my blog will cover Franzi's weekend trip to Hamburg, where I heard a concert in the new Philharmonic concert hall. Love, Franzi. PS: unfortunately, the things Germans can be proud of are running thin.
DeleteThat sounds like a fab experience, and I love the outfit. Pink and black go so well together! Also the opera is such a great place to go dressed, as everyone makes the effort and you don't look out of place in a gorgeous dress. I look forward to hearing about your trip to Hamburg
ReplyDeleteTanja
Dear Tanja, Thank you for your comment and compliments. I am very happy to hear that you like my looks. Please visit again. Hamburg will be coming up within the next couple of weeks. Franzi
DeleteEin tolles Outfit für die Oper liebe Franzi. Und das rosa Jacket dazu passt perfekt. Wirkt alles sehr harmonisch und feminin. Mit Opern habe ich es auch nicht so, aber ich glaube, ich habe die Oper einmal gesehen. Die Musik von Puccini ist auf jeden Fall toll. Italienisches Sing-sang verstehe ich auch nicht. Bei uns im Theater wird meist, wenn in fremder Sprache gesungen wird, der Text inkl. Übersetzung an zwei Monitoren oberhalb der Bühne eingeblendet. Aber die sind meistens ja eh nicht hochtrabend, und die meisten Opern handeln eh von Liebe und Intrige.
ReplyDeleteLiebe Grüße und eine gute Zeit
Violetta
Liebe Violetta, vielen Dank für Deinen lieben Kommentar. Da hast Du natürlich recht. Es geht meist um Liebe und Intrige und meistens sind am Ende entweder alle tot oder es wird geheiratet 😂. Beste Grüße, Franzi
DeleteVisiting the opera as a woman is on my bucket list of ambitions. It looks like you had a lovely evening, despite not being overimpressed with the performance of the opera. You're outfit was very lovely.
ReplyDeleteDee xxx
Dear Deeanna, Thanks for your comment and compliment. I can wholeheartedly recommend going to the opera en femme. Make it a good one. Choose something special. Buy a new dress for it. Go there early to soak up the atmosphere and to have some pictures taken. Love, Franzi
Delete