The Luxury of Reality

Within seconds the valet had whisked away the car and we walked inside of the nearly one hundred-year-old theater.

The graceful atrium soared high above us with seemingly endless rows of columns and balconies spiraling to the top. 

With our tickets in hand, we were ushered to plush, midnight navy velvet seats that matched the opulent curtain concealing the evening’s highly anticipated performance.

There was a buzz in the air while the seats filled and everyone settled in to the sounds of orchestra members tuning their instruments.

Suddenly the lights dimmed and applause echoed through the rows as the conductor took his position and signaled the start.

A night at the opera had begun.

Spectacular singers, handpicked from around the globe for their impressive talent, entered the stage clad in ornate outfits from a bygone era.

The sweet melodies blended perfectly with the powerful vocals to create a palpable resonance for everyone in the room.

It was as if we’d all been transported to that moment with them.

The opera, originally composed for the Emperor of Vienna in 1790, amazingly still captivates audiences today…a true testament of the lasting power of relatable stories.

The whole experience impressed upon us the luxury of reality.

In a world of artificial and digitally rendered entertainment and experiences, there was something so refreshing about live arts.

It was an impressive demonstration of teamwork as a myriad of people, some seen and others scurrying backstage, brought their skills together, each in synchronicity, to create something magnificent.

It was real. It was unique to that moment, as no two performances are exactly the same.

You had to be there.

Maybe that’s a good reminder for all of us to not forget the beauty and sparkle found in real connections, real experiences.

We can all benefit from disconnecting from society’s obsession with convenience technologies, picture perfect edited pseudorealities, and instead reengage with the present moment.

There is a reason that things made by hand have taken on increasing value in an age where machines are amassing more and more roles in daily routines.

Watching creativity come to life in front of us demonstrates human potential and its brilliance.

Going to the opera and seeing so many share their extraordinary talents was a beautiful reminder of why we should all share our gifts with the world.

You might not be an opera singer or a professional set designer, but we all have something that we can contribute, and the world will be better for it.

It’s not a mandate for perfection but rather the invitation to show up, to share, and to experience the joy of real life connection to ourselves, others, and the world around us.

How will you intentionally create moments for meaningful, real, shared experiences in your life?

Thanks to Sarasota Opera for partnering with us on this post.

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