On Tuesday night we went to La Traviata at the National Theater. The price of theater in Prague continues to astound me. We bought second balcony tickets, with a great view of the opera, for 5 US Dollars. I don’t know how they can continue to put on such cheap shows, but they are comparable to the level of talent found in Boston or the Twin Cities (I cannot compare it to Broadway since I have not yet been). La traviata is a Italian Opera by Verdi, and, like most Italian opera, focuses on vocal abilities. The lead soprano was fantastic, and the story made Rachel cry; I had goose bumps, but was not brought to tears. The night was very classy, and we all dressed up formally and drank champagne during the intermission. It seemed like an entirely different world; it was one of aristocracy, and I have never experienced anything similar. Best of all, you do not have to actually to be loaded to enjoy good theater here in Prague.
Throughout the week I have been searching for a job. I would love to be able to work, my favorite day is a busy day, but I have not been entirely successful. I have been able to get a job subbing as a conversational English teacher. The job pays well, but I don’t know how often they will need a sub, and have not been contacted yet. I also have a tutoring job (tutelage?) set up with a Czech friend of my professor. I am going to start giving one hour lessons next week, but it isn’t a very time consuming, or money producing, job. I really want to get a job at a restaurant, because I feel it would be a good way to support myself as well as get practice with my Czech. I have started an English-Czech tandem with my friend Jiri, and I hope that it continues, as it is a great way to learn more.
I was forced to buy a phone so if I do secure a job, I can be notified. I kind of miss the sense of freedom I had when I didn’t have a cell phone. I never worried that someone was going to call, and could always do my own thing. With a cell phone, I feel like I have more responsibility, which can be good and bad. Not having a cell phone has also made me more reliable. If I say that I am going to meet someone in front of Tesco at nine, for example, there is no way to back out at the last minute, and I have to be there at nine. It is a good thing to learn, because at home I am always running late (which I blame on my mom).
Last night, we went to another Opera. This one was a little more expensive, a whole seven dollars, but was worth it. Don Giovanni is one of Mozart’s most famous works, and was first conducted, by Mozart himself, at the Estates Theater in Prague, which may be even more beautiful than the National Theater. The theater exemplified the beauty of Prague. It was robin’s egg blue with gold decorations, a grand chandelier lit the building, and ornamental pictures were everywhere. I cannot really describe it in words, but it was brilliant. The opera itself was spectacular, but I think it was less of the actor’s talent than Mozart’s genius. Don’t get me wrong, the actors were great, especially the actress who played Donna Anna. However, the best actors are at the national theater. Interestingly, even the actors at the National Theater do not get paid terribly well. Czechs have told me that it is in commercial acting where the real money lies. I guess it is similar in the states, but at the same time actors on Broadway, especially leads, must make tons...
Throughout the week I have been searching for a job. I would love to be able to work, my favorite day is a busy day, but I have not been entirely successful. I have been able to get a job subbing as a conversational English teacher. The job pays well, but I don’t know how often they will need a sub, and have not been contacted yet. I also have a tutoring job (tutelage?) set up with a Czech friend of my professor. I am going to start giving one hour lessons next week, but it isn’t a very time consuming, or money producing, job. I really want to get a job at a restaurant, because I feel it would be a good way to support myself as well as get practice with my Czech. I have started an English-Czech tandem with my friend Jiri, and I hope that it continues, as it is a great way to learn more.
I was forced to buy a phone so if I do secure a job, I can be notified. I kind of miss the sense of freedom I had when I didn’t have a cell phone. I never worried that someone was going to call, and could always do my own thing. With a cell phone, I feel like I have more responsibility, which can be good and bad. Not having a cell phone has also made me more reliable. If I say that I am going to meet someone in front of Tesco at nine, for example, there is no way to back out at the last minute, and I have to be there at nine. It is a good thing to learn, because at home I am always running late (which I blame on my mom).
Last night, we went to another Opera. This one was a little more expensive, a whole seven dollars, but was worth it. Don Giovanni is one of Mozart’s most famous works, and was first conducted, by Mozart himself, at the Estates Theater in Prague, which may be even more beautiful than the National Theater. The theater exemplified the beauty of Prague. It was robin’s egg blue with gold decorations, a grand chandelier lit the building, and ornamental pictures were everywhere. I cannot really describe it in words, but it was brilliant. The opera itself was spectacular, but I think it was less of the actor’s talent than Mozart’s genius. Don’t get me wrong, the actors were great, especially the actress who played Donna Anna. However, the best actors are at the national theater. Interestingly, even the actors at the National Theater do not get paid terribly well. Czechs have told me that it is in commercial acting where the real money lies. I guess it is similar in the states, but at the same time actors on Broadway, especially leads, must make tons...
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