As the spring and summer arrive upon us, I find myself reflecting on one of the highlights of my teenage years. The breeze through the screens of Glimmerglass as cherry blossom petals fell on stage, the golden ceilings of the Metropolitan Opera House illuminated by the crystal chandeliers, the long bus rides where teenagers with a rainbow of differently dyed hair would sing to "Bohemian Rhapsody" and watch "Pretty in Pink" as we approached the lights and energy of Times Square. Picnics and card games on the lawn of Tanglewood after we explored its grounds and scenery only to settle for our seats by the stage to hear John Williams conduct as it thundered outside. Long conversations with older members and donors within the Siena College Opera Club who wanted to make all of this possible for us and who shared their own favorite experiences in opera.
Being a member of my high school’s Opera Club was undoubtedly a magical experience for me, and my only regret is that some teens will never get to experience anything like it in their lives. It was simple. The premise of the club was to gather together on Friday evenings in the high school chorus room, enjoy pizza, and watch operas on film. And every few months, we would be fortunate enough to attend field trips to watch live operas and performances at places such as the Saratoga Opera House, Tanglewood, Glimmerglass, and the Met. My sister, myself, and other members even had the chance to attend a rare performance of Broadway’s sold-out “Hamilton,” which was absolutely incredible.
The trips and performances were nothing short of magical, and in Opera Club, I found a haven for myself to immerse myself in an art form that is largely under-appreciated by my generation. The thing is, operas tell stories elaborately and with emotion. Unlike a book or a simple song, operas are ornate, passionate, clever expressions of feelings that can teach us a lot about our own lives, present-day. By combining music, acting, and poetic lines, operas are masterpieces that have the power to have tremendous influence on people of any age.
And none of it, of course, would happen if it weren’t for the benevolent donors who had a desire to educate today’s youth about such a treasured part of the world’s culture. I remember one particular annual donor dinner where I had the chance to talk with some of the members of the Siena Opera Club as if they were old friends of mine, and I found myself relating to some of them on sentimental levels. During the intermission of Zeffirelli's production of "La Bohème" at the Met, the first opera I got to see live, Professor Peter Haley who directs the Siena Opera Club led myself and other members down to the orchestra section by the stage. We were able to learn facts that many other opera-goers or teens likely will never get to learn, ranging from the art above the golden curtain to the screens on the side of the stage to facts about the acoustics.
More high schools should have an Opera Club because I have yet to have an experience more enchanting than the "La Bohème" performance where I still listen to its most famous aria, “Sì, mi chiamano Mimì,” religiously on my Spotify every week. Or a mood more optimistic than shared laughter in a dark room while we watch the female lead expertly fool her admirer. Or a feeling more powerful than the smile on the face of Mr. McCarthy--another generous donor and leader whom we had the pleasure of knowing for as long as we did--when we gathered outside his house one winter evening to greet him with Christmas carols.
Regardless of the availability of funds, resources, or support, all high schools should do whatever they can to make operas available to young adults today. From finding close friends to being inspired as an artist to discovering new cultural treasures, operas have so much to offer. I'm forever grateful that the curtain rose to reveal the beautiful show that was Opera Club in my life, and I only hope it can receive the standing ovation it deserves by being more widely recognized.
