Jessica Murrow: Enter the extraordinary world of art

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Published: 10-23-2024 6:15 PM

Modified: 10-23-2024 8:00 PM

“Mabe it will entertain us, move us, make us think and feel.” — excerpt from program notes for “Grounded,” by the Metropolitan Opera

On Saturday, Oct. 19, the Shelburne Falls Memorial Hall Association showed the Met Live in HD broadcast of “Grounded.” I was so surprised by this opera, this performance. At times, it moved me to tears. I expected something quite different, something modern, hard to listen to, a story I didn’t care about, a subject I’d rather not know about.

On the contrary, from the very beginning, this performance grabbed me. Extraordinary lighting and staging, with Emily D’Angelo’s opening “Blue” — so strong, clear and beautiful. Singing about flying, about the sky, the clouds rushing past us as if we were on the jet ourselves. Blue — totally blue.

Only nine people attended this opera. These broadcasts come from the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, and they give all of us a chance to experience the artistry that otherwise we would pay hundreds of dollars to see, not to mention a drive to New York City. “Grounded” was one of the best productions I have seen from the Met.

I don’t have words to coax anyone into attending. Perhaps you are not an opera fan; you don’t really like “that kind of music.” For me it goes to my very soul, to my heart, to all my senses, and “it makes me think and feel.”

I encourage you to think about what is of value here. How important art is in our lives, especially in these crazy times. Bring the love of music and art into all our lives, into our community. Find out about it, listen to it, experience it, give it a chance. Know how lucky we are to have it and appreciate it. What a better world it might be if more people would just enter this extraordinary world of art.

The next opera, Puccini’s “Tosca,” will be Nov. 23, at 1 p.m. at Memorial Hall in Shelburne Falls. Visit sfmh.org for details.

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