Have you ever become totally fascinated with a topic? I do not mean merely interested, I mean fascinated. You devour every book, movie, documentary, web page, television series, or news article related to the topic. It consumes your mind during moments of idleness. You try to immerse yourself in the topic, to experience it from all angles. This happens to me a lot. And lately, my fascination has been with polygamy.
About 5 years ago, I stumbled upon a television series that was a fictionalized account of a polygamist family. I instantly became hooked. When the series ended, my interest in the topic dropped. Then a reality show about polygamy became popular, and once again I was hooked. Only this time, the topic had staying power. I found myself spending hours searching online about polygamist cultures. I have read numerous books written by former polygamists, and I have watched several documentaries. I sought out any type of media on the topic. The only thing I was missing was something musically oriented.
Which is why I totally geeked out when I learned that the Pittsburgh Opera was presenting Nico Muhly’s opera Dark Sisters.
Exploring issues of suppressed individuality and subservient women’s roles, the opera uses episodes from the media – most recently the 2004 raid on FLDS leader Warren Jeffs’s compound in West Texas – to tell the story of the women’s suffering, and how one woman tries to escape. Premiered in 2012, DARK SISTERS revolves around sister-wife Eliza, who has a profound self-discovery after the world comes to the gates of her family’s complex, run by The Prophet. During an appearance on national television to defend her way of life, Eliza makes a dramatic confession, and her world falls into chaos. Resolving to make her own way in the world, she faces the consequences of leaving everything she has ever known.
Doesn't that sound amazing? I learned that this particular opera often sells out, so I really doubted I would get to see the chance to see it. So when the Pittsburgh Opera presented me with a chance to see the show and review it, I was ecstatic. When I found out I was also going to be able to giveaway 2 tickets for my readers to see the opera, I was over the moon.
This is a wonderful opportunity to experience opera. This is a modern opera, sung in English.
Entry to the giveaway is easy, using the form below. I simply want to know, what topic fascinates you?
Additional entries are also available. Participants must be 18 or older. Tickets will be available at will-call with photo ID. The performance is at 8 PM on Friday, January 31 at the CAPA Theater, 111 Ft. Duquesne Blvd. Winner will be notified Wednesday January 29 via email.
What are you waiting for? Enter now!
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