This past weekend, I had the rare opportunity to go behind-the-scenes at the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum in San Jose. Imagine touching artifacts over 5,000 years old, deep in the Archaeologists' cupboards. I could sense the magic and history right beneath my blue-latexed fingertips. A High Priest could have blessed these! Or a Pharaoh commissioned them!
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| "High Priestess of the Sun" for some unidentified religion (I wanted better photos but the pool party hubbub uphill kept interrupting my reverie. I stopped after 3 attempts.) Antique kaftan from Morocco. Ventilo jacket underneath. Feathered mask. |
If you're familiar with Mozart's Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) with its Egyptian symbolism, you'll understand why my thoughts drifted to its music. This was the first opera my parents ever took me to when I was about 8 years old. (The tenor, Tamino, was a family friend.) Back then, my enjoyment centered on the comical bird man, Papageno. The Masonic rituals and Egyptian imagery were completely obscured until adulthood.
I think Die Zauberflöte's "Queen of the Night" aria is one of the most virtuosic in Opera. This aria is so difficult that I've heard it done both heart-stoppingly and horrendously at the Met Opera! It definitely counts as one of our favorites. To understand how much, we lip synched Lucia Popp's version at our wedding reception -- several champagne glasses in -- to our startled guests (and equally startled DJ)! Note, this was way before Flash Mobs. Sigh, if only Lucia Popp's crystal clear voice were really mine.
By contrast, I recently stumbled upon Diana Damrau's rendition at Covent Garden via YouTube. Wow, THIS is the frightening Queen of the Night -- the terrible Anti-Enlightenment! Here, the orchestration and delivery feel more Wagnerian than Mozartian, but I believe we get the point better!
Oh dear, see how I've rambled, carried away by the beauty of Opera. Let me circle back to the Sun Gods and the Egyptian Museum. Here is proof, by iPhone, of some artifacts I got to handle. I didn't just dream it up for the sake of a blog post. (And I hope I don't get the Archaeology Docents in trouble.)
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| ancient carnelian jewelry |
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| cedar head rest to protect regal coiffures during sleep |
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| mummified Cat-in-the-Box Not what Dr. Seuss had in mind |
Are any of you fascinated by Archaeology? Do you enjoy the Opera?
i can't believe this..1 of our papers this semester is on ancient egypt..reading about and actually seeing the remains would have been a wonderful experience..thanks to you i got a glimpse.
ReplyDeleteThe first picture is amazing!
ReplyDeleteWhat an absolutely brilliant opportunity!
ReplyDeleteMe not very much, but my husband is for the whole family,so it is ok.
ReplyDeleteI love your pic and wonder what the passers by thought, lol.
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I am completely in love with the caftan. Archaeology is incredibly fascinating to me and sparks my interest to visit Egypt and maybe live there for a few months to write/shoot photos. I am easing into Opera, slowly but surely.
ReplyDeleteDiego
www.howtozipyourfly.com
I went to that museum once as a kid and was mesmerized. I think I love relics of the past and I wonder what memories do these objects hold? I love you taking inspiration from this and your rad outfit! What a great way to experience archeology!
ReplyDeleteinteresting post. thanks for sharing and for stopping by me
ReplyDeletex
Cant believe u were able to actually touch those artifacts! amazing!!!!
ReplyDeletethanks so much for the comment!
xxx
www.bohemianbones.blogspot.com
I am fascinated by Egyptian archeology because they lives they led were so different to ours and to be able to see that culture and those belief frozen in the sands of time is just amazing. As for opera, I've only been to Cosi fan tutte by Mozart which to be honest, didn't seal the deal. Thoroughly enjoyed Pirates of Penzance though I don't think it counts so much. Awaiting something like La Boheme or Madame Butterfly before I make a real call. What do you recommend?
ReplyDeleteLots of love from Sydney,
x Kel
the modern sari
Of course, I had to comment more on the opera part than anything! Die Zauberflote was also my first opera! And although everyone loves the queen of the night aria, I always melt upon beautiful renditions of Pamina's Lament, "Ach, Ich fuhls". It was a very different side to the Mozart that was famous for Eine Kleine and this. And to top it all of, it was the first ever opera I was ever part of- even if only as a Chorus member! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for that Queen of The Night clip, amazing... Mozart was German btw...
ReplyDeleteI am truly in love with the first picture!
ReplyDeleteAs far as archaeology is concerned I am very interested in Egyptian, Greeks and Roman (of course) ancient history. I don't like opera with the only exception of Mozart!
xx
http://dontcallmefashionblogger.blogspot.com
I LOVE this Aria! We saw the Magic Flute in London, years ago. I'm getting chills listening to this version. Or, rather, WAS, til I clicked on the comment and inadvertently shut it off. I'll go back to it when I send this.
ReplyDeleteSince you seem to be my separated at birth twin, on the other side of the planet, it's no surprise that I, too, an fascinated by Archaeology, Opera (we actually technically moved here because of Opera, but that's another story) and clearly, I've given up on all attempts at brevity, too.
And I absolutely love that kaftan. The pink and gold.. it's pretty uncanny cause I've been editing images from a catwalk show here in London - if you check my blog in about an hour, it will be called 'shiny happy people' and I'll link it to your post.
Oh and one of my best friends is Egyptian. If you do a search for Natayla on my blog, you'll see her: fair, blue eyed, and Muslim, but Egyptian born and bred,. Altho she lives in Geneva and London.
And I wish I could go to that museum: someday. When I achieve my goal and live in California. Want to do a swap sometime? Like that Cameron Diaz film, Holiday? xox
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ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful high priestess you are! Die Zauberflote was also my first opera experience and for weeks I tormented my family by trying to hit the high notes of the Queen of the Night... And archaelogy - so fascinating. Always wanted to study it, but my parents said my chemistry was too weak :(
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, I love, love, LOVE opera! And that aria...I've always loved it, ever since I was first introduced to it when I was about 7. I actually sing opera, so it's always fun for me to hear that people still appreciate this gorgeous art form. And on a really good voice day, I can hit most of the Queen of the Night's high notes. ;D I love Diana Damrau and all of her roles so much. :)
ReplyDeleteEarlier this year me and my family got to visit the King Tutankhamen exhibit traveling around the USA, and it was so fascinating. It was like walking through a huge, dreamy, different world in a haze. Egyptian history and artistry intrigues me so much.
xo
Maria Elyse
First Impressions
Flying Ships Vintage
Oh my that is such an incredible opportunity! Funny enough when I was a kid I used to want to be an archeologist (I was glued to the Discovery Chanel!). Alas, that did not happen- but I sure do enjoy it (as do the opera!)
ReplyDeleteWOW. What an unbelievably memorable experience! I've always been obsessed with Ancient Egyptian history, so you bet I'm jealous!
ReplyDeleteInteresting post!!!The 1st picture is amazing!!!
ReplyDeletewow great experience :)
ReplyDelete& thanks I feel so much better now
my voice isn't fully back yet
but still I feel great
what a wonderful opportunity. love that first picture.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great experience!! Did you feel like an strange energy when you touched all those pieces? I don't listen opera to be honest but I would love to hear live opera! I found it very dramatic and enchanting. XX
ReplyDeleteIt was a super fun activity to do, i really had to think about some of those answers too. I am currently rehearsing Tamburaline the Great part 1. It opens on Thursday. Its a great play. I love it. Why were you in the museum? That sounds SO cool.
ReplyDeletePowerful vocals! My lord... See people think I am weird because I love Opera.. How was it handling those pieces?? I would be scared of breaking something..
ReplyDeleteHugs! ~Angel
Love your take on the theatrical outfit. A few of my friends do Archaeology!!
ReplyDeleteI had the opportunity to go and see opera several times it is magical. as for egyptian archeology it must be absolutely fascinating. i lovethe mystical feeling about this civilization.
ReplyDeleteOMG! I went to that production in Covent Garden (and posted about it too http://taxonomyofmywardrobe.blogspot.com/2011/02/night-at-opera.html). It was amazing! I love opera - The Magic Flute is my favourite opera too and also the first opera I ever saw. My favourite character is Papageno although the version we saw on this occasion at the Royal Opera house was a bit lack lustre.
ReplyDeleteDiana was actually ill the night we went so we had a different lady playing the Queen of the Night and it was her 700th night singing the role! That aria still gives me the shivers every time I hear it.