Would you take a 9 year old to see Carmen?

[PhantomOfTheChocolateCake]

or La Boheme or am I pushing it here?

no babyitter and he likes classical music. Do you think they are suitable for a 9 year old?

TIA

[ChukkyPig]

Well, I would say, no.

My mum took me and bro to all sorts of stuff when we were young. We always ended up leaving at the interval as we were well bored.

Liking classical music and sitting quietly through a whole opera are two diferent things.

Maybe? But you know your son. Can anyone else at all babysit?

[PhantomOfTheChocolateCake]

Hmm. My neighbour might but I also don't want to go alone. It's dependant on me getting paid, Carmen's on on the 31st October so it also means I won't have to take ds trik or treating.

I've taken him to see live orchestras for 3 hours before (his idea, not fun for me), he sat through it all.

[ChukkyPig]

Well if you think he's up to it.

Mum took DH and I (with rest of my family) to Carmen last year. DH was getting pretty twitchy way before the end... If I'm honest so was I!

If he's done it before though I wouldn't worry.

[Katisha]

If it was a good production I would take him to Carmen. But it would need to be excitingly done.

[ChukkyPig]

Why not go alone? It's not exactly uncivilised. I strongly approve of doing things alone from time to time to prove to yourself you still can. Sounds perfect! You can have a cocktail!

[Panfriedpumpkin]

I would say a big YES. Children love stories and it may be that he gets hooked by all of the excess around opera. dd is 8 and I would love to take her to an opera, now that you mention it.
ds will love the orchestral pieces and get inot the story if you explain it a little.
if it doesn't work then fine. But to be exposed to this stuff is wonderful. I saw my first opera at 36 y.o. and felt confounded at all I had missed out on.

[PhantomOfTheChocolateCake]

It's not the same as classical music as there's no people singing at the top of their voices. Would it be rude if I took a book for him just incase?

[Panfriedpumpkin]

where is it on, choccy?

[Katisha]

Who's doing it?

[PhantomOfTheChocolateCake]

They have subtitles so we'll know what's going on. It's Ellen Kent and Ampitheatre productions for what it's worth.

[PhantomOfTheChocolateCake]

here

[wessexghoul]

I would have loved it.

Am a bit weird though.

If there's enough colour/drama, then go for it.

[Katisha]

I'd give it a try.

[ChukkyPig]

I assume this is an early performance?

Taking book fine, but still think 9 YO it's quite a long performance to sit through.

Also bear in mind there may be sex!!

The production of Carmen last year had one topless lady at the front washing her boobs in a bucket. It's a very sexy opera.

[PhantomOfTheChocolateCake]

I'll buy the tickets (hoping I get paid before or we won't be going) just before and see how it goes. They are turning the theatre into a bull ring. I'm sure he'll love that.

[christiana]

Message withdrawn

[Panfriedpumpkin]

is that in Derby, then??

[Katisha]

Looks like a pretty traditional production from the website - I reckon you;d be safe from the sex!

[PhantomOfTheChocolateCake]

Ohh! I didn't know about the boobs. It's a 7:30 start so it's not too bad. He tends to over his eyes when people start kissing so he wouldn't notice (I hope).

[ChukkyPig]

Blimey my last post sounded a bit weird. But it's true that Carmen is about a woman with a lot of sex appeal and men fallng at her feet. Just depends how that production does it I suppose.

Also interesting to note that in a film with sex, batrayal and lots of murder, a 9 YO would def never be allowed to go. But because it's classical, like, it's fine!

[PhantomOfTheChocolateCake]

It's in Derby. They have had opera here before but it's normally after christmas and I've been too poor to go.

I have to start somewhere. I'll keep an eye out for breasts. The lady in the box office will warn me anyway??

[Panfriedpumpkin]

If it's in Derby, may I offer an alternative oper-goer, IF you have doubts over ds' ability to stick with it??

[PhantomOfTheChocolateCake]

Would you like to come?

[Panfriedpumpkin]

I'd love to! Carmen was my first opera, and it was very disappointing. Sung all in English with the diva from the Home Counties. Just didn't work. IT was Opera North, and a bit..well, unsatisfying.

[PhantomOfTheChocolateCake]

This one's sung in french. OK. My neighbour owes me loads of babysitting so I'll see if she's free. If she can't babysit (she will unless she's working away) then I'll be going with ds, he's very well behaved.

Are you in Derby?