Today I had requested the day off to attend Nabucco at the Košice State Theater. Earlier I had experienced a visitor buzzing my apartment doorbell. I was a bit bothered; for one that it was buzzing me, and for two that I didn’t check who it was. I felt bad if it was a neighbor or someone being nice, as people have only been nice so far. (With the exception of the “bicycle lady” whom I also saw at the local potraviny (corner store). Nonetheless I dressed and went up to the opera.

Going to the Opera

It began at 19:00 at the elegantly-interiored roccoco baroque State Theater. I had a first row, first balcony seat for 100 SK or less than $3.00. When I exchanged today, the rate was 40:1 (40 SK to $1 US dollar). The first time (I exchanged money) it was 37:1, then 39:1. So it’s going up. But if I have to change future crowns to dollars then it’s going down.

Nabucco  was good. Although I couldn’t understand it completely. The program had a synopsis in bad Germany, and there were no supertitles. Everyone was pouring over their programs during the three intermissions. I missed the Champagne 🍾 since I was alone. (That wouldn’t stop me now though!)

Christine, a part-time teacher told me that the cast is the same in every opera, whether you see it here or in Presov. They are local and rotate. (Like the teachers, at my upcoming future with Berlitz in USA.)

It was however, quite good and I especially enjoyed  the 4th act  (or 3rd act?) chorus.  I think it’s a famous one. The stage set was good, as were the costumes.  One tenor was especially good, although their voices lacked depth.

It was all in all an enjoyable, if a bit lonely evening. I did however enjoy my comforter.

 

Friday Evening12 March, 1999

This is an excerpt from my Kosice Journal, documenting my exodus from a (relatively happy) bustling life in beautiful San Diego, to (voluntarily) take a post teaching English in the newly independent eastern capital of Slovakia during a very cold winter 1999.