namesake

last sunday i went to see the opera, carmen. it was my first time seeing it, or any other opera (unless you count the time i saw part of an opera in italy, but left before it was over...)  despite being indirectly named after the protagonist, i knew virtually nothing about the story of carmen before this past weekend.

the music was oddly nostalgic. I was reminded of piano pieces I had learned as a kid; tunes i had heard in a hum, but never knew their context. it was both familiar and totally new - as was the character herself. i had known carmen was a gypsy and that her story was one about love, but i had no idea how manipulative and somewhat villainous she was.

i am not used to hearing my name spoken when not directed at/about me - "carmen" is not that common here in the states. so, during intermission, when i overheard two women talking about how mean "carmen" was, i felt almost uncomfortable.

the opera was nice - i don't know if i am a big fan of the form itself. but finally learning the story was interesting. it felt almost like learning a bit of long-lost family history.