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Would you take a 9 year old to see Carmen?

58 replies

PhantomOfTheChocolateCake · 25/10/2008 23:36

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

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ChukkyPig · 25/10/2008 23:39

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 · 25/10/2008 23:41

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.

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ChukkyPig · 25/10/2008 23:45

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 · 25/10/2008 23:46

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

ChukkyPig · 25/10/2008 23:46

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 · 25/10/2008 23:47

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 · 25/10/2008 23:47

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?

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Panfriedpumpkin · 25/10/2008 23:48

where is it on, choccy?

Katisha · 25/10/2008 23:48

Who's doing it?

PhantomOfTheChocolateCake · 25/10/2008 23:49

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

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PhantomOfTheChocolateCake · 25/10/2008 23:49

here

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wessexghoul · 25/10/2008 23:50

I would have loved it.

Am a bit weird though.

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

Katisha · 25/10/2008 23:50

I'd give it a try.

ChukkyPig · 25/10/2008 23:51

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 · 25/10/2008 23:52

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.

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christiana · 25/10/2008 23:52

Message withdrawn

Panfriedpumpkin · 25/10/2008 23:53

is that in Derby, then??

Katisha · 25/10/2008 23:54

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

PhantomOfTheChocolateCake · 25/10/2008 23:54

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).

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ChukkyPig · 25/10/2008 23:56

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 · 25/10/2008 23:56

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??

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Panfriedpumpkin · 26/10/2008 00:02

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

PhantomOfTheChocolateCake · 26/10/2008 00:03

Would you like to come?

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Panfriedpumpkin · 26/10/2008 00:06

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 · 26/10/2008 00:09

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?

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