Fervent Osculation

Original image by There Stands the Glass.

Original image by There Stands the Glass.

Satirical “Any Functioning Adult” campaign signs aren’t particularly helpful in this election cycle.  The gag dismisses real problems that aren’t laughing matters.  Besides, I feel as if I’ve only begun to come of age in recent weeks.  My daily opera initiative during the pandemic altered my worldview.  I’ve endured a lot of sentimental hooey, irrelevant relics, trite diversions and yes, boatloads of pretentiousness, in a quest to discover a handful of works that have enhanced my humanity and lifted a heretofore invisible veil of ignorance.

Operas including Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen, Mozart’s “Die Zauberflöte” and Strauss’ “Salome” are among the essential cultural touchstones for anyone aspiring to become a fully informed global citizen.  My prior obliviousness of these essential works shames me.  Only now do I feel as the dimension in which thoroughly educated people function is coming into focus.

“Einstein on the Beach”- the 189th opera in a binge that’s closing in on 200 productions- isn’t indispensable.  Yet a willful surrender to all five hours of Philip Glass’ 1976 work transmuted me into a state of enlightened acquiescence.  Many of my acquaintances might argue that I’m still not a “functioning adult.”  I may lack maturity and refinement, but I’m well on my way to becoming an enlightened barbarian.