Sunday with Opera

We had plans for the Opera Cosi Fan Tutte at the Detroit Opera House at 2:30 today. You can read about the Mozart opera’s re-staging to a near-future Apple/Musk-like fictional company demo of a new AI-based robotic companion here. I think the opera has aged poorly, and a new staging and plot worked for me. The original music seemed to be retained. While there were only three performances, I believe this re-staging will appear elsewhere soon. I recommend it if you don’t mind dropping the dated setting, costumes, and the use of many updated jokes.

Returning to the start of the day, I rose at about 7, ignoring the alarm at first. It was early for me (4AM in PDT), and I made coffee as I showered, shaved, etc., and soon was ready. The Keurig uses rainforest-supporting coffee pods. Even in Michigan, I am drinking liberal coffee! Next, I grabbed my laptop and went to the lobby for the industrial breakfast that Thomas was serving. I greeted him, and he asked me about my plans for the day. Everyone wants to be seen and not treated as invisible.

The eggs were the same as every day—industrial—but the potatoes were better. The sausage was crunchy, slightly overcooked, but that did improve it. The coffee while not good, was thick and strong. My stomach rebelled a bit. I published the blog and headed to see Deborah.

At her house, I petted the dogs, and we skipped lunch as we would get some food at the Cadillac Café at the Opera. I had dress shoes, a whale tie Deborah gave me in Long Breach, and a dress shirt and vest. Deborah was lovely in a black dress. We took Air Hyundai Red to the Detroit Opera House, paying only $5 more to park at the Opera. I did not know the Opera House was across from the newish Tiger Stadium.

We were twenty minutes early and unfortunately left our coats behind; we discovered Detroit colder than expected. We were relieved when the door opened only five minutes late, and soon, we had a drink and food at Table 3 in the cafe. The box of snacks and first drinks were covered. We could also return at intermission for another drink and finish our food. We got coffee, and Deborah finished her lunch at that time.

We met some of Deborah’s friends who were enjoying a box. Eric and I were happy to finally meet.

The opera tonight was a re-staging (and replotting) of Mozart’s awful (I think it too dated) Cosi fan Tutte leaving the music, some of the usual confused identity, but tried to reframe it part of the Corporate Demo of robots that are imbued with AI and thus learn to love. The Musk/Jobs CEO was fun, and it often seemed like a corporate meeting. There were even the corporate feel-good videos that reminded me of Nike presentations.

The music, songs, and most of the words (but not the jokes) were original and wonderfully sung. Like the original, the plot and action become confused in the second act, but the darker themes take over, and we end in a Terminator-like ending. Seems perfect, and the audience cheered when Musk/Jobs style-CEO met his just reward. But the robots let the audience know they, too, have to pay. Then, it ends by singing the bright, everything will be an OK song that is actually the original’s ending. Even the late CEO is back, singing. Excellent. We loved it. The Detroit Free Press did not–recommended.

We returned to Rochester Hills, found Lucky’s, and enjoyed a meal of prime rib. We ordered the smaller cuts as we were not starved. Deborah still took half of her home. Mine was smaller, and I managed it. Dinner was great.

We returned to Deborah’s house and watched another Matlock episode (we are just past 1/2 way). Deborah would visit the hotel for breakfast in the morning, and we said our goodbyes.

I reached the hotel without issue and soon read and fell asleep, but I would waken twice to prove hydration.

Thanks for reading.