A Rainbow over Brooklyn

I spent the evening at the South Street Seaport. Tonight's main feature was Open Air Opera. The event, which started a few minutes late, went from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm.The purpose of the free event was to expand the reach of the arts and culture to residents of the New York metro area.

As if to spite us for the event's free price tag, the audience's resolve to participate in the live event was tested by the weather. The downpour started just as the orchestra began setting up. Space was limited to roughly 300 chairs so the audience had to remain in place, seated, during the evening's showers. When it was over the crowd was pleased to see the event start quickly. Additionally we were rewarded with a beautiful rainbow just behind the orchestra and over Brooklyn.


The orchestra was disciplined. Their rapid movement, the uniformity of their sound, their teamwork, all demonstrated the high level of skill and talent this group was sharing with us. The orchestra amazed us but the opera singers absolutely left the audience in awe. Every note was reached. Every motion was calculated and refined. The performance this team put on for us captured the attention of 3,000 people for one hour. Remember we only had enough seating for three hundred. The open air opera drew people from all over lower Manhattan. It pulled people from their restaurant tables, shops, and sightseeing treks. It was magnificent event that was truly a success despite the bad weather and made us all lovers of the opera.