Do Any NYC Escorts Like Opera

[TruHart1]

Well, this kind of echoes the discussion we have had in the Callas Remastered thread the last couple of days regarding looks vs. size vs voice, etc.

 

All I can say is that given the size of his biceps, I almost didn't care if he was able to sing the D-flat at the conclusion of the piece. Well he hit it... neither the best nor the worst that I have heard. I know he has sung roles such as the Duke in Rigoletto. I can easily see how some director would be able to have him appear shirtless and still respect the intentions of both the librettist and composer.

 

Worth another look...

 

http://logoonline.mtvnimages.com/uri/mgid:uma:image:logotv.com:10958909?quality=0.8&format=jpg&height=495&width=660

 

Or two...

 

Another comment I will make and then I'll shut up while I go look for sexy pix of Paolo on Google; This video is of a dress rehearsal and it is quite rare for a singer to even hit the high note in falsetto, let alone full-voiced like he does in the video!

 

As Francesca sings: "Paolo, datemi pace" Oh yes indeed, Paolo! ;)

 

TruHart1

[BodeBrentwood]

I mean Ive played classical music for about 10 years and have seen a couple of operas, the story is the most fascinating part, but I have yet to get on a kick for it. I'd be more than willing to experience it!

[whipped guy]

Another comment I will make and then I'll shut up while I go look for sexy pix of Paolo on Google; This video is of a dress rehearsal and it is quite rare for a singer to even hit the high note in falsetto, let alone full-voiced like he does in the video!

 

As Francesca sings: "Paolo, datemi pace" Oh yes indeed, Paolo! ;)

 

TruHart1

Yes, you are right about hitting such a high note in dress rehearsals. I really thought that he might avoid it all together. I have seen enough dress rehearsals over the years to know that some singers such as Placido Domingo (even in his prime ) sang all his high notes in a falsetto and others such as Marilyn Horne would rearrange her cadenzas at the ends of arias so as to have the high notes be an octive lower.

 

So I'm cutting Signor Fanale some slack thinking that it was not even his best high note. Yes, like @TruHart1 sono inammorato di questo bravo giovanotto. I'm in love with this fine young man... unfortunately he's married with children...

 

I have never seen any hot guys in leather at the MET, nor have I gone to the MET wearing my harness, but as I have posted here previously I did see a couple of guys at Opera Orchestra of NY at Carnegie Hall a few years ago wearing leather chaps and vests. They were assless chaps, but they were wearing them over their jeans...

Edited November 27, 2016 by whipped guy

[+ Italiano]

Yes, I should have mentioned Raul! it seems that artists who have appeared at Lyric Opera of Chicago have hired him over the years.

 

Actually when I performed at Lyric I really wanted to hire Raul Manzo but at the last moment he wasn't available.

He had told me he would have loved me to sing in his ear while he would f•ck me...

[whipped guy]

I wonder if a certain vocal coach who I know might be interested in working with Signor Fanale... You know to work on his high D-flat and a couple of other things. If I were such a coach I would consider altering my fee schedule for him and possibly work on the barter system!

Edited November 27, 2016 by whipped guy

[+ Charlie]

I think dressing up for the opera is more common in smaller venues with only a few performances. The only place I have seen almost everyone "dressed up" for a performance in recent years was the Salt Lake City Opera; even the young people in the audience were wearing their best outfits, although the older folk might have found their taste inappropriate in some cases. Major houses with frequent performances, like the Met or Covent Garden, draw a lot of local regulars who care more about the opera than their own appearance, and are not inclined to dress up every time they attend. My best friend lived across the street from Lincoln Center and went a couple of times per week; he would get home from work, take a short nap, grab a bite to eat, and walk across to the house, so he wasn't inclined to dress up for what was routine, not a special event.

[+ quoththeraven]

Without perusing everything posted here in the last couple of days, though I've read some of it, may I add a plea for forbearance and tolerance? (Which it feels like I've done a lot of lately.) It's great to dress up for the opera and treat it as a special occasion! But it's also great to like opera and go there regularly straight from work, or stretch one's budget to buy tickets, or want to be comfortable while enjoying opera.

 

At the end of the day, it's about enjoying opera, not what one wears to attend a performance. (Or at least it should be.) Otherwise one risks suggesting that there's only one right way to enjoy opera, which risks turning off any new or younger attendees who are going to think, with some justification, that operagoers are a bunch of out-of-touch fuddy-duddies.

[Despardo]

Well, this kind of echoes the discussion we have had in the Callas Remastered thread the last couple of days regarding looks vs. size vs voice, etc.

 

All I can say is that given the size of his biceps, I almost didn't care if he was able to sing the D-flat at the conclusion of the piece. Well he hit it... neither the best nor the worst that I have heard. I know he has sung roles such as the Duke in Rigoletto. I can easily see how some director would be able to have him appear shirtless and still respect the intentions of both the librettist and composer.

 

Worth another look...

 

http://logoonline.mtvnimages.com/uri/mgid:uma:image:logotv.com:10958909?quality=0.8&format=jpg&height=495&width=660

 

Or two...

 

I agree with you about the D-flat. He managed to hit it. Pavarotti could cover it (when he was young)--Pav did this number quite well. This guy certainly isn't bad and the looks don't hurt him.

I recall Anna Russell's comment: Erda warns Wotan to "be careful, be careful Wotan!" ... she then has 9 daughters with him so SHE should have been careful. aha ha ha

Whenever one of us was contemplating a potentially problematic interpersonal action, an old friend of mine and I would say to the other, "Be careful Wotan!"

[+ quoththeraven]

In the days before the stock market crash, men wore white tie and tails in the orchestra, boxes, and grand tier. The "Dress Circle" is called that because you were expected to be in black tie, at least. Above that, the balcony and family circle, there was no dress code but in those days no one would have gone in casual attire.

 

Monday remained "white tie requested" until the company left the old Met for Lincoln Center. The last time I was there, a few years ago, anything went but most of the audience was at least presentable. In college I used to do standing room at the Met, and as I remember orchestra standing room was mostly well-dressed, family circle standing room, where many are extreme opera fanatics, was pretty informal, even quirky and sloppy.

 

If ancient rituals interest you, check out this text from Emily Post's Etiquette from the 1920s, about how gentlemen are to behave in an opera box.

 

http://www.bartleby.com/95/6.html

 

I assume the stock market crash to which you refer is the one that occurred in 1929. If I am right about that, the subtext here is that some of these standards are stuck in the long ago past.

 

Names like "dress circle" are historical artifacts we don't have to live up to if we don't want. Live and let live, I say.

 

Well, this kind of echoes the discussion we have had in the Callas Remastered thread the last couple of days regarding looks vs. size vs voice, etc.

 

All I can say is that given the size of his biceps, I almost didn't care if he was able to sing the D-flat at the conclusion of the piece. Well he hit it... neither the best nor the worst that I have heard. I know he has sung roles such as the Duke in Rigoletto. I can easily see how some director would be able to have him appear shirtless and still respect the intentions of both the librettist and composer.

 

Worth another look...

 

http://logoonline.mtvnimages.com/uri/mgid:uma:image:logotv.com:10958909?quality=0.8&format=jpg&height=495&width=660

 

Or two...

 

 

Quite a pleasant voice. Sometimes his vibrato seemed a little wobbly, and he seemed to be holding back, but that makes sense for a dress rehearsal.

 

He is super hunky, though!

[+ Charlie]

I haven't been to a rehearsal in quite some time, but I remember that when I did, the women were usually better dressed than the men; the principals often wore dresses, pearls, and heels, while the men more often were in casual shirts and slacks. I'm sure that has changed, just as attire for almost any occasion has become much less formal than it used to be in the western world. When I started teaching, the big controversy between the administration and faculty was whether women could wear pants instead of skirts while teaching. Ironically, the fact that both genders smoked while we lectured was not even an issue.

[SROSFanboy]

I'm definitely a fan of opera, and I remember one year I was in Vienna, Austria by myself in early Winter. I had requested the company of a handsome young man from a local agency for an evening at the Staatsoper (State Opera House), to see "La Bohème," and it turned out to be one of the best encounters I've ever had. He arrived right on time at my hotel, dressed to the nines (you don't go to the State Opera in Vienna without being dressed appropriately, unless you want to feel really out of place!), and took me to the opera in his BMW. On the way there, he had Johann Strauss' "Die Fledermaus" playing on his car stereo (OMG I was in love!). We had a great evening, and then some awesome playtime at my hotel afterward. Definitely the best "date night" I'd ever had...

[SROSFanboy]

When I went to the Vienna State Opera I was in the top balcony (i.e. the least expensive seats) and I was the only gentleman wearing a jacket and tie. This was about 5 years ago. I cannot speak about the wardrobe of the audience in the more expensive seats.

 

Last time I was there was some years back (well more than 5), and we didn't have the best seats - it was a side balcony (partially obstructed stage view) and everyone was well dressed - also, I remember my "date" commenting that he had visited New York and attended an opera at the Met and that he had been shocked to see people dressed "down" so much in America when attending such an occasion. Different culture, different perspective on things, but I'm sure times are changing everywhere in the world.

Kind of like how in years gone by, people always dressed up to travel by plane, whereas now that's largely all changed (sometimes much for the worse - lots of "bad behavior" by passengers these days - bare feet on seat backs or dining trays, clipping toenails, or other such stuff LOL).

[BasketBaller]

I assume the stock market crash to which you refer is the one that occurred in 1929. If I am right about that, the subtext here is that some of these standards are stuck in the long ago past.

 

Names like "dress circle" are historical artifacts we don't have to live up to if we don't want. Live and let live, I say.

 

Yes, I meant '29. �

[Rudynate]

The only place I have seen almost everyone "dressed up" for a performance in recent years was the Salt Lake City Opera;

 

 

Mormons always dress for church. There's a Mormon church down the street from me. On Sunday, a bunch of families with the dads dressed in dark suits and white shirts and moms dressed in their best clothes invades the neighborhood. The women don't wear hats, though.

[Rudynate]

Ironically, the fact that both genders smoked while we lectured was not even an issue.

 

And students smoked in class, flicking their ashes and grinding their cigarettes out on the floor of the lecture hall. It's easy to forget how pervasive smoking was. Everybody smoked everywhere - work places, stores, movie theaters, restaurants, hospitals (yes, hospitals). They lit up without asking when they were guests in the home of others, assuming that it was OK. It wasn't really that long ago - it only changed in the 80s.

[+ Charlie]

Last time I was there was some years back (well more than 5), and we didn't have the best seats - it was a side balcony (partially obstructed stage view) and everyone was well dressed - also, I remember my "date" commenting that he had visited New York and attended an opera at the Met and that he had been shocked to see people dressed "down" so much in America when attending such an occasion. Different culture, different perspective on things, but I'm sure times are changing everywhere in the world.

Kind of like how in years gone by, people always dressed up to travel by plane, whereas now that's largely all changed (sometimes much for the worse - lots of "bad behavior" by passengers these days - bare feet on seat backs or dining trays, clipping toenails, or other such stuff LOL).

When I lived in Vienna 30 years ago, older people still dressed fairly formally even to go shopping. I have not been back in a long time, but I assume that has changed by now.

[buckguy]

Kind of like how in years gone by, people always dressed up to travel by plane, whereas now that's largely all changed

 

I've been flying since I was 8 and I suspect you're talking about a time that was many decades ago and pretty irrelevant to the present.

[mike carey]

I've been flying since I was 8 and I suspect you're talking about a time that was many decades ago and pretty irrelevant to the present.

One of the reasons for dressing up when you fly is so you don't need to fit those items in your luggage. My heavy overcoat in Canberra and Sydney last January (42°C) looked distinctly out of place, on arrival in DC, not so much. The flight attendant on the flight from Sydney commented on my coat and tie. (I know, I'm old.)

[buckguy]

The reason for the dressing up in the old days was probably the dress code for business, as most flyers were traveling ifor business. It's easier to wear a jacket than to pack it, but frankly I rarely need to do either. My point is that these "good old days" we're a million years ago and haven't really meant much in ages.

[mike carey]

It's easier to wear a jacket than to pack it, but frankly I rarely need to do either.

The first half is my point exactly. I'm sufficiently old school that there are times when I think it appropriate to wear a jacket.

[+ BigRic]

I'm not NYC-based (but will be visiting there again later this month) but hope it's not too off-topic/self-promotional to post word of my long-time LA Phil (front row, Orchestra West) and Hollywood Bowl jazz series (in a box seat, natch) subscriptions for those gentlemen looking for a Left Coast companion. Was at Disney Hall last night for Haydn's "Creation."

 

Have thoroughly enjoyed seeing various productions/concerts over the years on my travels . . . Don Giovanni at La Scala . . . Cosi Fan Tutte at Sydney Opera House . . . Mahler 1 at the Musikverein (one of my goals is a "Neujahrskonzert" here). Enjoyed hearing an LA Opera cellist friend of mine perform in the LAO production of La Boheme earlier this year.

Edited December 11, 2016 by BigRic

[+ Italiano]

I think dressing up for the opera is more common in smaller venues with only a few performances. The only place I have seen almost everyone "dressed up" for a performance in recent years was the Salt Lake City Opera; even the young people in the audience were wearing their best outfits, although the older folk might have found their taste inappropriate in some cases. Major houses with frequent performances, like the Met or Covent Garden, draw a lot of local regulars who care more about the opera than their own appearance, and are not inclined to dress up every time they attend. My best friend lived across the street from Lincoln Center and went a couple of times per week; he would get home from work, take a short nap, grab a bite to eat, and walk across to the house, so he wasn't inclined to dress up for what was routine, not a special event.

 

 

These were the times when at La Scala opening nights were more like a fashion show off...

 

[Poincare]

I saw Aida at the Met last night. I brought a gorgeous Brazilian “date”

He adored the experience......rose champagne at intermission, great seats...those sets and costumes! Miss the elephants....we held hands the whole time. Dreamy.....

 

Dinner afterwards at Fiorellos...today we will be visiting the Met Museum of Art and strolling through Central Park..bundled up....

 

This is the life....

[sexymonk]

I used to get tickets for some of productions at the MET, and then would try to find an escort who would appreciate the evening as much as I did. That was harder said than done. I brought one guy to a Puccini opera (not difficult to sit through -- as opposed to some of the German repertoire) and he was fidgeting, and twice I had to tell him to put the %#$ phone away. He literally walked out at the end of the 1st act -- and dared me to get him to return to the theatre (returning to the hotel, I politely but firmly cancelled the rest of the evening, handed him taxi fare for LaGuardia, and sent him on his way -- total jerk).

 

I have found more success with European escorts who - as stated above - are somehow more appreciative of opera as an art form, and not at all embarrassed or uncomfortable accompanying a client to the Met or some other venue. Better, they can sit after the production and actually discuss it with a some authority. I wish - Kevin Slater - I had known of your interest in the past. I imagine you would be a very enjoyable companion for "A Night at the Opera."

 

I once scored tickets for the Bolshoi Theatre for a lengthy 4-act Soviet opera by Sergei Prokofiev Semyon Kotko. It was a special production mounted before the theatre was to close for major renovations. I had two tickets, and checked around for an escort -- and hit the jackpot with a soldier who escorted on the side, and who loved the opera. He showed up at the hotel in a beautifully-tailored suit and very shiny shoes, quite a sight as he was a very muscular guy. He had obviously been to this theatre often in the past, knew the routine of checking coats and hats (and politely and considerately had an extra plastic bag for my hat and gloves); managed to get us free champagne and caviar between acts in one of the loge bars, and then took me to an after-hours club where we could relax with brandy and talk over the very difficult plot and music -- and then... the rest of the night was even more fantastic.

You can't expect escorts to like opera if they are not into it! That escort should have plainly refused to go to the opera! I think due to the financial thing the escort accepted opera offer but could not take it anymore after a while ! He can't suddenly find it interesting if he was never exposed to opera from childhood!i don't blame him completely!

[+ Italiano]

You can't expect escorts to like opera if they are not into it! That escort should have plainly refused to go to the opera! I think due to the financial thing the escort accepted opera offer but could not take it anymore after a while ! He can't suddenly find it interesting if he was never exposed to opera from childhood!i don't blame him completely!

Wait a second. We are talking about an escort paid to spend an evening (and I guess the night after that evening) with a client.

Ok, opera is not for everybody but it's not like dogs' fight where after a while you can't take it anymore. Just sit there, put yr phone away and pretend to watch and listen for 2 hours, even if you dislike it.

Of course I DO blame him completely!

Edited January 15, 2019 by Italiano