I was in the opera tonight.
No I didn't sing.
A small opera company operates in a private residence in Venice. It is called Musica Pallazo and we bought our tickets online a few months before our trip.
The performance, being in a residence is very intimate, and the audience becomes part of the show.
If you travel to Venice, don't be fooled by the people dressed in Renaissance costume handing out pamphlets on the street...that is touristy crap for tourists.
Most of the 80 attendees at the Musica Palazzo were Italian. We got our tickets on line and they sell out months in advance.
The Borgolo Home (palace) was a little difficult to find but we did a dry run earlier in the day so we wouldn't be late.
It was located right on the grand canal but access was along a tiny dark unnamed street.
At 8 pm they opened the doors to a large private open courtyard and we were led through it up a swirling marble staircase, lighted on each step with a tea light candle.
The chandelier lighting was old and dim through out the residence and candles not only provided ambience, but were sometimes necessary for navigation.
We had to fill out identification forms at the door because they must have to get special permission (and probably pay the government) to perform in a private venue.
We were told to sit anywhere we wanted in the beautiful dining room. We sat in the front row and am I glad we did!
The 5 musicians came in and took their places and played the opening notes.
The opera - La Traviata by Verdi began.
As Violetta came down the aisle, she greeted the audience as if we were guests at her party, as she got to the front, she looked overjoyed to see me and came over and kissed me on both cheeks.
Later when she was celebrating, she passed out some glasses of champagne to others, Dale got one of those and they had a toast.
At the end of each Act we moved to another room with a 10 min intermission and champagne in between. The second room was a drawing room and although we weren't allowed to take photos during the performance, I remembered to snap a few in this and the final room, the bedroom.
It was a wonderful experience and what is a more appropriate adventure in Venice?
Don't worry if you do not speak the language. Read a synopsis of the opera online and my husband said if you think of it as a cross between a soap opera and a silent movie you will be able to follow the story...and then just close your eyes and listen.
The acoustics in the old marble rooms is amazing and the singers made the most of them. It was thoroughly enjoying for all, except for the two Japanese boys that looked like they would rather be hung than sit through another minute....tiger mom and dad had trained them well and they were respectful, if not interested.