Tuesday, May 12th… apparently it’s the “International Day of Opera”. Or so they say… I googled it and did not find much to confirm that there is an official “International Day of Opera”- yet there I was, on stage in the Sala Federico Campbell at CECUT in Tijuana, Mexico along with a slew of talented local singers from the Tijuana and Ensenada area singing my little operatic heart out. What a night!
The program was part of a two concert event put on by La Opera de Tijuana and Opera Ambulante– the two leading opera groups in Tijuana (two, count them two!) who regularly perform throughout the region. The other event was an outdoor concert the Saturday before featuring the Ensamble Juvenil de Tijuana (The Youth Choir of Tijuana) and many soloists.
The evening started out with an homage to Mozart, taking a turn to explore some French opera, and then making a sharp left into the world of verismowith Puccini and Italian grand opera with Verdi. Singer after singer accompanied by Elena Galitskaia, got up and took turns doing their own renditions of well known arias, then exited the stage with a proverbial “mic drop”. You could feel the excitement grow not only amongst the singers who were clearly feeding off the energy built from artist to artist, but also by the amazingly enthusiastic audience.
(Photo by: Manuel Cruces Camberos)
The audience. Let’s talk about the audience. American opera audiences are known (although this may soon be changing) for being elite, wealthy, elderly, polite, and- let’s admit it, somewhat non existent. The audience (outside of the terrific singing) is probably what impressed me most that night. The fact that it was a Tuesday night, the concert was over 2 hours long, it was held in a multi purpose room with removable (i.e. not very comfy) chairs, it was free, and it was PACKED (to the gills, people were 5 deep in the back rows) left me wide eyed. Then as if that wasn’t enough, it was people from ALL walks of life, ALL ages, ALL socio-economic groups, and ALL having a great time. The enthusiasm was palpable. This was an audience that loved opera, had discerning taste (they cheered, but only granted two standing ovations) and were completely engrossed in the experience. Fan-tastic!
(Photo by: Manuel Cruces Camberos)
Just ask San Diego Opera… this is not what we’re used to in our fair city. Yes it was a free concert, but had it been on this side of the border on a random Tuesday night would it have been so full? So diverse? So enthusiastic? My experience tells me no. I had a young gentleman who came up after (who asked me for my autograph, *blush!*) and told me he was from Tijuana, a “super fan” of opera and get this, a college student! Age 21. He represents just one of many generations present there that night (literally from babies and toddlers to senior citizens).
(Photo by: Manuel Cruces Camberos)
As SD Opera moves forward and redefines itself- I hope they can find inspiration the current opera scene that exists south of the border. For example, “Opera en la Calle”, a HUGE street fair held every year in Tijuana that attracts thousands of people to listen to opera from noon to midnight. Or the roving troupe “Opera Ambulante” and their performances all over town, educational concerts and surprise pop ups (such as this one spicing up an otherwise mind numbing border wait).
(Opera en la Calle 2013)
Maybe much the way the San Diego culinary world has looked south and partnered up with Mexican chefs and restauranteurs to redefine local cuisine and put itself on the culinary map, or the way visual artists have long partnered up and sponsored projects on both sides of the border- the San Diego opera scene can meet up with the Tijuana opera scene. Then not only the artists but also the audiences can inspire one another to bring about even more, quality, AND accessible opera to the region.
Keep reading and listening,
Anishka (aka Nishi la Tremenda)