1. Security personnel at the doors. Looking embarrassed, they wanded everybody; ladies' handbags searched etc. This never happened before. Some cinemas here hold as many or more; no security at the movies as yet. The Nice Opera House holds about 1200 and was virtually full. A beautiful 19th century jewel of a House, but no air conditioning and the upholstery tatty, worn to the threads; I hope they'll put in air and new seats soon--but that's another story.
2. They updated the opera's story line, imitating or trying to imitate what the Met is doing these days. The plot is based on the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre of Protestants in Paris in 1572, but last night's new staging starts with the baritone and his girl friend watching on television the destruction and killing in Iraq that Isis is doing in the name of Allah. After that the modernism fell apart. At least I couldn't understand it. This was the most incoherent opera I've ever seen. It has about 19 singing parts, plus ballets, plus mob scenes. In its day (the 1830s) it was the first of the five act, four hour epics, the equivalent of the giant special effects movies of today, and became the rage of the world.
And 3. Nudity on stage. At one point four busty maidens come out, remove their bathrobes and strike poses. I was unable to fathom what this was supposed to signify, but it was very pretty. Also, for opera, a bit shocking. Admit it, I tell myself, the whole night baffled you. Yes indeed it did.