Stubborn

One of the first things I think about when I see a production of an opera is what other people will think of it. Perhaps I should focus on whether I enjoyed the production or whether it inspired me in some way. I can't particularly help it. I'm a big believer in the genre of opera and one of my career goals is to educate others to look beyond the stereotypes that most people think of for opera. I want people to know that if they open their minds a little bit, they can attend an opera and not only understand what is going on, but actually enjoy it. So often when judging an opera I would prefer if it were more accessible to the masses while maybe pushing their expectations a little further from their comfort zone. But after watching Philip Glass's Satyagraha, I think I may have to change my mind. I'm not going to lie; when I first watched it, it put me in a state of depression. It had almost the same effect as alcohol, amplifying the mood you're already have. The opera has such long scenes of repeated text not to mention the fact that it centers on a culture that is so beyond my comfort zone that I have a hard time remembering the simplest, most common facts. But in the end I'm glad I watched it. I learned from it, and by exposing myself to another culture and its literature I feel ready for another venture to push myself in a similar way. In the end, I don't think really anyone likes to be pushed to try new things. And while we may kick and scream at change, ultimately I think we at least come to a better understanding. Or maybe I'm just stubborn.