Husband and Wife Do the Opera

Earlier this month, I received an email from Law School with the subject line, “Free Tickets.” Immediately, the email had my full attention. The email explained that a theater company needed to fill up several seats for opening night of the opera “Pirates of Penzance.” The email explained that in order to be considered for up to two tickets for the next night, I had to email a fellow with the company who would call me if I was selected. I thought, “Why not,” and immediately shot off an email, figuring I would never hear anything, but there was nothing to lose.

Later that evening, the guy did indeed call. He told me to be at the corner of a certain intersection where one of his employees would have an envelope with our names on it for two tickets. He explained that we should be discreet about receiving free tickets, because it could anger other patrons who paid a LOT of money for their tickets. In order to be discreet, we should meet his employee a couple of blocks from the theater and not mention anything about it at the theater.

After I hung up the phone, I started thinking: we need to meet some guy at the corner of an intersection for secret tickets? Really? This must be a joke. I began thinking this was a scam, but how were they scamming me for free tickets? Despite my doubts, I told Wife that I think I got us tickets to our first opera together, but not to get too excited until we actually had tickets in hand. Though Wife understood my apprehension, she disregarded my advice not to get excited. To make a short story even shorter, the tickets turned out to be completely legitimate. Wife and I enjoyed a wonderful night out, for just a few dollars spent on subway fare and hot cocoa. Not only did we get free tickets, the tickets were for exceptional orchestra seats.

Pirates of Penzance was definitely a great first opera for us to see together. Wife enjoyed it because it was musical with lots of singing (and most of the singers were very good). I enjoyed this opera more than I anticipated for a couple reasons. First, it was in English – that was a big deal for me. Second, Pirates is a comedy. I like comedies. Comedies keep the attention of simple minded folk like me.

Pirates of Penzance is probably most famous for a song that almost everyone has heard: “I am the very model of a modern major general” (also known as “The Major-General’s Song”). Though the song may not exactly be operatic, it was certainly entertaining.

Perhaps the most intriguing part of the evening was during intermission when Wife turned to me and said, “I miss singing.” Those who know Wife, know of her musical training and passion for singing that was extinguished several years back. Maybe, just maybe, we can get her to start singing in public again.