Opera in Orange

Last summer a group of us went to the opera in the old Roman theatre in Orange. When we arrived, it was 42 degrees, the hottest place in France that day. The performances don't begin until almost 10pm when the sun has gone down, and last until the wee hours of the next morning. Even when we left at 2am, the temperature was still in the high 30's. We saw Aida. We really enjoyed it and decided to make the pilgrimmage again this summer.

The roman theatre is an amazing place. It seats 9000 people. We have the cheap seats up top, where if you're lucky, you get a breeze, and not so lucky, the occasional strains of the passing TGV. You clamber up 2000 year old steps and sit on large slabs of ancient stone. Cushion mandatory. The atmosphere's exciting as the town fills with spectators and we all file into the theatre. When the conductor comes to the podium, the crowd hushes down in an instant, waiting for the orchestra to strike up the first notes. Spine-tingling stuff.

This year the opera was Madama Butterfly. Eight of us went from Roujan and met up with my friends Hugh and Margo, who live not far from Orange, on the posh side of the Rhone. Margo had kindly done several rekkies to find us a nice cafe for dinner. Here's the Opera Gang.

L to R: Michelle, Alex, Margo, Yvonne, Hugh, Justin, Poppy, J de P, and Erzsi.

We were catching up over a drink when Jean de Pouzolles said, I don't wish to worry you, but look over your shoulder. The sky was black and it seemed to be heading our way. We were all reminded of our friends, Teddy & Nicola, who have more often than not experienced orages in Orange. If it rains, everyone goes home. Tickets are good for the following evening, but not so practical when you've come a long way.

At dinner, we felt the odd drop. Rumour ran through the town that the musicians were deciding whether or not to play. In the end, the show went on, but compared to last year, it was like being there in a completely different season. It didn't rain, but boy was it cold. We were wrapped up in everything we brought. Still, we had a good time as the smiles here will attest, or were the Goslings just putting a brave face on it?