I paid $50.00 a seat only to be placed one row ahead of $28.00 seats? What is the advantage? Actually the section that I was seated in was marked "upper balcony". The online seating chart is misleading. I really resent having spent $50.00/seat only to be at the very top balcony in the next-to-the-last row. I could just as well have paid $28.00 per seat and had the same view of the performance. It was my first time at DOH and my first opera; I had with me my 16 year old son and my sister. It was a financial sacrifice for me and I had hoped that the experience would be worth it. Beccause of the seating, we were uncomfortable throughout the performance and I was relieved when the performance ended so that we could escape the hot, cramped seating area.

The section that I was in, the upper balcony, should be all $28.00 seats. There is no way that you should charge $50.00 per seat in that section. At least I know now, if I ever again attend the DOH, not to sit above the mezzanine and, at those prices, chances are I'll never get to go again.

One last note, however. My son lost his orthodontic retainer at the theater. I called yesterday, not really expecting to retrieve it, but much to my relief the security guard informed me that he actually had the retainer, case and all, right at his desk. I was so grateful and rushed right down to pick it up. My thanks to whomever was responsible for finding and turning in my son's retainer.

Five-star opera; one-star audience
Katy - Commerce Twp.

I was completely blown away by the level of artistry from the cast. What a joy to see on the stage! Lisa Daltrius was an impressive Bess and Porgy moved me to tears in the heartbreaking finale scene. Sportin' Life was the show stopper of the night. The tenor embodied his character, and was mesmerizing to watch on stage.

My only complaint has to do with the lack of etiquette of some audience members. During the run of Sunday's matinee, a gentleman rather close to me removed his shoes and dangled his feet over the seat in front of him. The woman who sang, "Summertime," at the beginning of the opera did a wonderful job, but I was distracted by a woman nearby humming along to the tune. My husband was also mildly annoyed by the woman in front of him shaking and opening her container of tic-tacs during Act One. Perhaps, along with opera talks before the show, we could have a theatre etiquette talk.

I'll be back
Barb - Grand Blanc

Oh my God..... the singing was awesome! I'm going to see it again.

Subtitles distracted me
Nini - Southfield

This was my first opera that I had actually attended, after having seen several on Bravo in the past. I wasn't impressed with the subtitles. They took my focus away from the stage. I wish that the acting would have done more story telling than the subtitles. I've seen operas in a different language and was still able to know what the play was about by the acting.

Subtitles are essential
Tom & Donna - Muskegon

My wife and I attended Michigan Opera for the first time tonight and thought this was a great production. Wonderful cast and orchestra, great sets, and beautiful theatre!

We also greatly appreciated the subtitles. My wife has some hearing loss and would not have been able to understand the lyrics without the subtitles. For many people with and without disabilities, subtitles help make opera more understandable, less intimidating, and therefore enjoyable.

Great production
Robert W. - Detroit

I attended Porgy and Bess on Saturday and was thrilled by the entire experience. The mood downtown was electric! The Tigers may have lost, but MOT scored big with this excellent production.

Gershwin's music is achingly beautiful, and the opera's cast did it justice with great performances all the way around. While both Porgy and Bess were fantastic, it was Sportin' Life and Crown who stole the show for me. Both sang with incredible passion.

Read other comments from the 2006-07 season
Porgy & Bess | Barber | Turandot | Abduction | Romeo & Juliet