Rock and Roll

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There's nothing in this world that would make me happier than being a Rock Star.

I mean, not that being an operatic tenor isn't a bad thing, in fact, in some respects it IS being a rock star. The parking is usually great. Not only do the chicks dig you, but when they find out you are an opera star, yes there is the look in their eyes just turns a little melty, JUST LIKE a rock star.

Anthony Dean Griffey starred as Lenny in Mice and Men at Glimmerglass Opera (now celebrating their 35th season). I was in the background playing Pete,  the "I'm Pete" role netted me an extra dollar AND put me in the hottest production of the season, not that the other operas were bad, in fact, they all pretty much rocked, regardless, Of Mice and Men was INSAAANE!

There we were, at the end of the show, George had just killed Lenny and we th choristers playing the ragtag band of men out to hunt Lenny arrive on the scene and see George standing over the lifeless lumkin. The opera ends and the crowd just erupts, screaming.

FORGET the polite golf claps reserved for bridge and Greg Norman tee shots, this was U2, Queen, Led Zeppelin plus. The fact that it was this recognizable story and that the production was so masterfully put together and wonderfully sung and acted made for something meaner than a rock show. It was iconic. It was Legend. All you golden age opera buffs out there must agree that this production will not leave the mind's eye any time soon.

But still...

Two things made me freak out this past weekend.
Inglorious Basterds the Tarantino/ Weinstein Bros. flick that destroy Hitler three ways to Sunday, ho-ah!

At the penultimate scene Bowie's "Cat People" starts playing. These people know how to choose a song. uncanny... I am instantly a child in my fantasy "Commander-X" world, where I rule the skies and can blow up buildings and am war hero and rake... but mixed with this cartoon world is the adult knowledge that though this is fantasy, far worse has been contemplated and done. And still I am overrun with child delight at pending mayhem.
Ah, Fantasy. Yes, I wanted to be David Bowie covering all of you with my hot breath. Lulling your senses, overtaking your inhibitions, turning you primal....

And then SNL came on and U2 was trotted out to set up their obligatory 360 tour.

How many times have we sat and actively flipped around stations when the musical act came on that show? U2 comes on and I am stuck, brothers and sisters.

How can I explain U2?

 

That's me there in Bono's shoes. That's me exuding so much magnetism. That's me crushing a battleship with the twist of my hand.

Opera is awesome, and it is only recently that we allow ourselves as singers to be consumed. Mostly, it's technique, fear that the voice will break, and as such, so too will our careers. Balderdash. How far have you gone?

Turn it up to Bowie, even the Edge, then go all out Bono.