June 12 is the night we have tickets for L.A. Opera. It's the last Opera in our subscription and I have been waiting all season for this particular one.

I have never seen Verdi's Il Trovotore, but I have heard some of the music, as I'm sure you have as well (Bet you have already heard The Anvil Chorus) . There are scads of films that have been procuced, that incorporate the music of Opera into the fabric of the stories. Some examples are Apocalypse Now(Wagner's "Ride of the Walkeries"-- I am sure if you heard it, you would remember!). Others that I can recall include Moonstruck and The Shawshank Redemption. There are many more, but I can't remember all of them.

Giuseppe Verdi has spun incredible music with strong narrative and had written probably the most popular and beloved Operas of all. Among the most staged Operas would include Rigoletto (it was recently modernized from a Medieval castle to local Mafia--It was a great production!); La Traviata (made into a couple films) and Aida.

The word Opera may conjure up a bit of apathy and 'change the channel' thinking, but it has also been a source of complete surprise for many people who have discovered it, and former sceptics who have become converts experience Opera to the Nth degree. Everyone of those individuals have been transformed by Mozart, Rossini or possibly Verdi, the dramatic music and story teller. By the confessions of these individuals, you get a sense of a part of their lives that was missing pre-Opera.

Opera music is powerful, dramatic and passionate. Just as film can shock us out of our seats, and touch our emotions, Opera music can do the same and pierce our souls as well. I fell for Opera a long time ago. It's a rousing ride and one that I hope you will have an opportunity to experience one day......keep an open mind and you may just like it.