I had very high expectations for House of the Dead at the Metropolitan Opera this Wednesday. However, the opera didn't exactly meet my expectations. Although I fully understood that the style of the book is dreary and uneventful in itself, I thought the opera would be somewhat more lively. I expected the acting and singing to bring excitement to the story of the House of the Dead. Apparently, these were not the intentions of the opera itself. All throughout, mostly everything about the opera was very bleak and monotonous. The singing was great, but what was being said never felt like it should be payed much attention to. I can definitely say that the opera, the acting and the singing stayed completely true to the book and the story. Memorable parts of the opera included the part where the prisoners watch the play, which was much more graphic than I expected but extremely humorous nonetheless. I was quite impressed with the acting quality of the actors and their versatility in playing male/female roles. It was somewhat disconcerting to see the prisoners themselves watching the play as we watched them in the opera, but I felt that the play being put on distracted me enough to forget the prisoners watching the actors behind them. Another memorable part was when one of the prisoners (i forget his name) was telling the story about his wife, who he murdered. I enjoyed how crude humor was utilized within the horror of the story. I was terrified, but these men were truly desensitized, it didn't disturb them in the least. I think this says so much about prison life in Serbia, though. It seems as if these men live through the stories that they tell and it is those moments when they're telling their tales is when they actually have a taste of their old life back at home. The only lively parts of the opera were either when a prisoner was storytelling or actors putting on a show. Because they are all physically restrained to such a high degree, their minds wandered towards the freedom stored within memory. 

The set was absolutely amazing. It was the definition of bleak and gave a prison feel without being explicit about it. They were versatile and interesting to watch as the set subtly changed to give the feel of a different environment. I noticed the simplicity of the stage and by how simply adding or detracting a small detail, such as on overhead lamp or a bed, the mood of the stage completely changes. Overall, the set design was extremely effective. 

I also enjoyed seeing Meryl Streep there, watching something as she watched it as well within the same room. It really felt like I was part of an exclusive audience. I wonder what she thought of the opera. The seats were fantastic and the subtitles were very easy to read. It was an experience to remember.