Here are photos of the Blaisdell Concert Hall in Honolulu, where the operas are staged:
Yesterday afternoon, we saw Donizetti’s “Don Pasquale.” It was lots of fun and the music was excellent! Unlike Verdi’s “Aida,” this opera-buffo had a happy ending. Not much else to say except that Italian is such a melodious language, per se, that I wish all song lyrics were sung in Italian, for that reason. Bel canto, at its finest! I especially loved the heroine’s beautiful, effortless coloratura voice.
It’s really nice being married to a man who was a music major (clarinet) in college and understands music theory and music history. Previous boyfriends hated classical music and opera, mainly because they were uneducated. Thank goodness I didn’t marry them! David and I may part ways when it comes to working out at the gym and watching a lot of movies, BUT we will always be joined at the hip as far as classical music and opera are concerned. I can’t imagine being married to anyone else.
After the performance, David and I dined at Kincaid’s in Ward Warehouse, which is a separate building from Ward Center. (Don’t get confused.) Here we are:
I still am not completely cured (Bell’s Palsy), but I definitely am making progress. Note my new muumuu, which I bought at T&L Muumuu Factory recently. I dressed it up by wearing a gold necklace and gold earrings.
I guess the chef is relatively new, because the menu at Kincaid’s was different. This is what we ate:
Three appetizer sampler: Grilled shrimp, beef tenderloin, and crab-artichoke dip. This was so addictive, we wanted more! Order this three appetizer sampler during happy hour and pay $18. But if you order it during dinner, it costs $29. We ordered it during happy hour.
David’s dish: Beef tenderloin with wild mushroom ravioli. $19.
My dish: Crab cakes. $17.
We both felt the food was delicious, though pricey. But, you know what, expect to pay high prices for restaurant fare in Honolulu. It’s just a fact of life. We also make sure we give the waiter a 20% tip. This is our way of stimulating the economy.
February 13, 2012 at 3:39 am |
What a perfect day out. The food looks wonderful (even though it is only 6:30 am here). The prices don’t seem to be too much worse than they would be here.
February 13, 2012 at 5:06 am |
Well, David always gets mad when he sees TV commercials for Subway or Wendy’s, because prices in Hawaii are always $1-$2 more than advertised.
February 13, 2012 at 4:12 am |
I agree with Jeanie: the prices are not that different from what I would pay here on the mainland. It certainly looks like it was a wonderful feast! Your palsy is definitely much better, it’s hardly noticeable any more, Gigi.
February 13, 2012 at 5:08 am |
Thanks, but I would look better if I could smile normally. Right now, my face still looks stern, because I can’t smile.
February 13, 2012 at 4:19 am |
You look lovely even if you are focused on your BP. How nice David likes opera. I gave up my tickets because David fell asleep every time. When he fell asleep during the ‘Bartered Bride’. I knew it was time to give them up.
Music majors are also good at math. My granddaughter is graduating from UVA in May but will play for the marching band for another year. She used to be the “shortest trumpet player” and now she will be the “shortest Tuba player.” I asked her how she could carry that big thing. Dianne
February 13, 2012 at 5:08 am |
That’s so funny. I would kill David if he were to doze off at the opera — and SNORE! Lol. And yes, he is good at math. After graduating with a B.MEd (Bachelor’s degree in music education), he went to grad school and got his MBA in accounting. Then, he passed the CPA exam on his first attempt. Smart man!
February 13, 2012 at 5:33 am |
Great that you both love and enjoy operas .The food looks yummilicious .Your new red mummu looks great on you
February 13, 2012 at 5:39 am |
Thanks so much, Kavita!
February 13, 2012 at 8:22 am |
Art and I are both not into operas much so we’re alike in that way. The food looks fabulous and I love your muumuu.
February 13, 2012 at 8:42 am |
The color of your new muumuu looks wonderful on you. Funny you say joined at hips cause last night husband told me we’re like bookends. After all these years…I guess he became more like me since I have changed much.
L. from W.
February 13, 2012 at 9:44 am |
what a lovely evening, you looked beautiful Gigi and the food looks fantastic! Those portions are huge.
February 13, 2012 at 9:52 am |
You look great and the food looks delicious. Oahu is not that pricey I don’t think. The mainland is just as high.
February 13, 2012 at 10:29 am |
Your 3-plate stacked appetizer would be half the amount of food in Kansas City at double the regular price! Was that a salad or slaw between the crab cakes? You look dandy! DrumMajor
February 13, 2012 at 10:43 am |
cabbage slaw/salad.
February 13, 2012 at 10:31 am |
I love the opera. Have I told you that Beloved was a principal musician at the Royal Opera House in London?
That looks like a lot of food, I don’t we would have managed more than the starters between us!
February 13, 2012 at 10:44 am |
yes, you said he was a musician there. We are big eaters! Lol.
February 13, 2012 at 12:33 pm |
Well, Gigi, next time you go to the opera you’ll be going with us. Terry is not a big music fan, but he enjoys concerts and the opera. Shall we go to Kincaid’s again?
February 13, 2012 at 12:41 pm |
Hattie, I’ll email you.
February 13, 2012 at 12:49 pm |
I’m very happy to hear your Bell’s Palsy is doing better Gigi, the photo of you and David is lovely and I especially loved the color of your muumuu. Gregg and I have similar tastes except when it comes to music and sports. He’s a little bit country and I’m a little bit opera
When I was a girl my Dad would play the piano and I would join in with the singing. I didn’t realize until years later that what he was singing was opera, so I guess that is when the seeds were planted. One of the friends I go with – there are usually five of us who meet up – taught the boy’s choir at Covent Garden for many years before she moved to the States. She reintroduced me to opera a few years ago and I haven’t looked back. I love opera, especially the Italian ones but I was surprised how much I enjoyed Wagner. This was my second ‘ring’ performance, having had to miss the middle one and I enjoyed it very much.
February 13, 2012 at 1:59 pm |
The only Wagner opera I have seen was “Parsifal” in New York City during the 1970s. Maybe if the lyrics had been translated into English and flashed on a screen above the stage, I would have enjoyed it more.
February 13, 2012 at 2:50 pm |
That isn’t too bad a price if the food is good and it looked delicious.
How forunate that you to share a love for the same type of music. That could really be a problem.
February 13, 2012 at 5:08 pm |
It is nice that you both enjoy it Gigi..and I am so happy that you keep improving with the Bell’s palsy….!!!!!
February 13, 2012 at 5:27 pm |
It looks like you had a great afternoon/evening. The food looks very good, and about what we’d pay here for a good restaurant.
I have never been to an opera, and classical music just doesn’t hold my attention. But how nice that you and David share this.
February 13, 2012 at 7:14 pm |
So happy that you two had a nice day out!
Warm Aloha from Waikiki
Comfort Spiral
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February 13, 2012 at 8:12 pm |
How fun. You are indeed a lucky gal to have husband who likes opera. My husband didn’t so I always went alone BUT….. I found out that when buying a single ticket (even rather late) I could always get a seat in the 1st or 2nd row.
On your yesterday’s post ……. I guess I don’t understand why anyone would take drugs or drink excessive alcohol.
February 15, 2012 at 6:59 am |
I have never attended an opera. Both Terry and I are big theater people though. We love Andrew Lloyd Weber and have seen “The Phantom 5 times. His all time favorite is Les Mis. I think we’ve seen that one 4 times. Our next outing is to Charlotte (which is clear across the state for us) to see Jersey Boys.
I may have to give opera a chance.