 I loved the idea of learning all about the opera in advance, and you did a wonderful job with that. Thank you, Jodina, for offering this program!
Grazie! â Lynda King
The synopsis prepared by Jodina was excellent. I do know the theme of Tosca, but having all the extra information in Italian helped me enjoy it even more. I am sure it was helpful to the people in the group who do not regularly attend live streaming Opera. Thank you, Jodina, for arranging the program. â Julie Watkins
I love the Italian language and have taken classes with Jodina. She is an energetic, inspiring, and creative teacher. I love that more than teaching the language, Jodina sets up games, workshops, tours, and other events that enhance our understanding and appreciation of the Italian experience and culture, rather than it just being just about learning the language.
I recently attended the first of this yearâs opera series screened live, directly from the Met in New York.
I could have just gone to see the cinema feast on my own, but opted for the choice to have breakfast and an introduction by Jodina to details, characters, historical background that added a rich, deepening of understanding what was to take place in the opera âToscaâ. Jodina did excellent research and handed out her findings written in both English and Italian to those of us in attendance. All this accompanied to a breakfast at a nearby restaurant.
This handout, and Jodinaâs enthusiasm for recounting the story, definitely enriched my experience in both watching the opera and understanding the beautiful arias in this magnificent production, I can hardly wait for our next opera adventure â La Boheme â hopefully, Jodina will repeat this informative introduction she creates before âgoing to the Metâ. â June Gottlieb
Hi Jodina, I promised I would write you about my experience at almost the first Opera I ever saw. I went to see Carmen a few years ago in downtown San Diego. I bought a cheap ticket and took my chances to find a seat. I didnât, so I stood up the whole time. I loved the music, but I wasnât too comfortable standing all that time and leaning on railings.
I enjoyed the Opera with you SO MUCH more! We had no problems getting good seats. You did an outstanding job organizing the whole event. It was easy to find the Cafe for breakfast and the theatre was as you said, very close. I canât imagine how much time and trouble you went to in order to organize the whole morning. I know we all appreciated your efforts very much. You did an excellent job!
Breakfast was very good, and I enjoyed your discussion of the theme and plot of the Opera to be performed while we were â breakfastingâ. Thatâs what I came for!
I never really would have known the intricacies of the plot or the motivations of the characters if you had not explained it all beforehand. During the breaks between opera acts, the behind-the-scenes at the Met interviews with some of the leading singers were so interesting. That was a nice touch. I know you didnât arrange that, but I am sure you enjoyed it, also !
I am sure everyone enjoyed TOSCA immensely and appreciated understanding it as well an enjoying Pucciniâs beautiful music, some of which we were familiar with. It always makes a work of art so much more meaningful to discuss and understand it before actually viewing it. It will âstickâ with us for a long time, I am sure.
Thanks so much for arranging all that for us, your grateful students! I look forward to the next operas. â Giovanna Bravender
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