Opera.

Opera is also cool. Last Saturday I went to see Nabucco by the Dallas Opera. My friend H. came to visit and I took her to the opera. It was her first time. Too bad the jetlag was more powerful than Verdi's musical beauty. She returned from Russia Thursday (was visiting with her husban'd family) and flew here to see me Saturday morning. She loves me. I feel honored that she even considered getting in a plane so soon after landing.

So. We went to the opera. The sets, the costumes, the perfomance - wonderful. The venue - not so much. I wasn't certain where we were to park, so we parked in the first public lot we passed. It is across the street from what we soon found was a side entrance. The ugly stepchild of entrances. Construction splattered all over: orange plastic construction site fence around a tree, orange cones, piles of shattered sidewalk. The usher at the door was lovely and pleasant and let us into the building. I've no idea when it was last remodeled, but the Music Hall at Fair Park needs new carpet.

Everything was clean, well cared for, but early 80's carpet carries that musty smell so fondly regarded by allergy sufferers everywhere. Too much carpet - on the floor, partway up the walls, on the stairs. I liked many features - stone-like brass fronts on the doors to the hall are fantastic, there is a beautiful sculpture hanging over a fountain at the entrance to the in-venue restaurant, the staff were all helpful and friendly. The exterior is also lovely. I just didn't like breathing.

But we were there for the opera and it did not disappoint. So delighted was I that I shall brave the carpet again for the next opera - The Barber of Seville - in early December.