At The Opera House Poem by Deanna Samuels

What a treat!
an afternoon at the opera.
Have come to see - to experience
a live performance of
"La Traviata"

The atmosphere electrified,
excitement high, musicians tuning up.
Patrons look for their seats,
find them, settle in.
Theatre is almost a full house
as curtain time draws near.

The buzz, the anticipation
is tinderbox dry, explosive.
After a Covid two-year interruption,
the opera company is back,
eager, ready to perform

Seats now filled to capacity
and just a few moments to go.
The lights are lowered.
COC General Director appears,
stands to side of stage

"Welcome" he says
"after so long away"
"thank you all for your loyalty,
welcome back, enjoy",
amid hoots of hoorahs from house.

Theatre lights dim,
audience hushed.
Conductor makes his entrance,
audience claps in thunderous applause,
the baton is raised.

The orchestra plays opening bars
as main curtain rises slowly.
The scene, through a film of antique patterned voile
finds Violetta rising from slumber.
Her maid dresses her in flowing gown.

The voile curtain lifts, chandeliers become ablaze,
Violetta is transposed to bustling party room,
the high society of Paris in the 1850's,
guests in striking costumes and fancy evening attire.

And so begins to unfold
the sad love story of Violetta and Alfredo
"La Traviata" - The Fallen Woman.

Written at The Four Seasons Opera House, Toronto,
taking in the atmosphere just prior to the performance of La Traviata - 1st May 2022.