Virtual Virtuosi: The Met Opera Series
at TSL
by Ross Rice
I arrive on time to the TSL building at 434
Columbia St., just one street over from Warren St., Hudson’s
main drag. The parking lot is full: it usually is when TSL
runs the show live, and then replays it as an “encore”
the following day. Entering the main building, it becomes
fairly obvious that today’s program is a sell-out (reservations
are recommended, especially for the live feed). Most folks
in attendance are in winter garb; some stand on opera decorum
and dress up a bit more, but, generally it’s pretty
casual. Entering the main viewing theatre, which can handle
up to 150 patrons, a large screen exhibits the curtain at
the Met, while the Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound captures
the crowd murmur and orchestra tuning. It really feels like
you are smack dab in the middle of the audience in New York
City, with absolutely amazing seats.
Then, the screen cuts to the “conductor-cam.”
None other than the legendary tenor Plácido Domingo
smiles from the podium with baton poised for the downbeat.
Domingo, who has clearly been exposed to and influenced by
so many great conductors over his considerable career, has
found a rewarding second career with the orchestra, and with
obvious skill and score familiarity, starts the overture.
Various cameras in sections of the orchestra during this beginning
sequence allow an intimate view seldom experienced by the
audience. The broadcast mix is superb, the in-house JBL speakers
giving high fidelity sound.
But, when the camera finally pans to the
opening curtain, we get the whole treatment. As you can imagine,
the Met spares no expense for sets, lights, and costumes,
and boy…do they get their money’s worth. Revolving concentric
circles dominate the center stage, occasionally shifting in
pitch and height, with map-like icons on the circumference...CONTINUE....
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