Feb. 9 - With two busy jobs, Ann and I frequently work evenings - particularly at events to expand our contacts and broaden our outreach to Japanese society. However we make a point to occasionally schedule a "date night." This is an evening where we do something we enjoy with just each other for company.
Knowing that Ann really enjoys the opera, I suggested we attend the broadcast of the New York Metropolitan Opera's performance of Offenbach's "The Tales of Hoffman." We barely had time to make the 7 p.m. start of the performance at the Togeki Theater in Higashi Ginza, so Ann purchased some sandwiches in advance. Thanks to the light traffic that Friday night, we arrived a few minutes before the performance, in time to purchase our tickets and find our places in the theater before the first scene at the 18th century German tavern began.
This is the Lincoln Center in New York City, where Ann and I have enjoyed many a performance of the opera.
Although it was not live opera, that broadcast in a movie theater was the next best thing. The close-ups and interesting camera angles added a new dimension to the opera-going experience. Ann especially enjoyed soprano Anna Netrebko's singing. I appreciated the interviews with singers that made us feel we had special access to the Met backstage.
As Ann and I passed through the bright lights of the Ginza on our way home, I was glad we had made time for each other to share this wonderful experience.
Until next time,
Jim
Dear Mr. Zumwalt,
How romantic to have date night! In Japan, particularly in the rural areas, we live with our parents-in-law, so we cannot have date night so often. Parents-in-law are always sticking to us even going out. Sadly to say, we couples can go out only on birthdays, or the anniversary day.
Of course I'm not a servant, so I can go out alone instead of with my husband.
Love,
Kuniko Yamada
