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	<title>Top Stories Colorado Springs &#187; hobbies and interest</title>
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		<title>Reviews at the Opera: Madame Butterfly</title>
		<link>http://topstoriescoloradosprings.com/entertainment/reviews-at-the-opera-madame-butterfly/</link>
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		<pubDate>Fri, 25 Dec 2009 08:18:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jeff Bridges</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[Madame Butterfly is an opera written by Giacomo Puccini which is very popular. We strongly recommend opera glasses for this breathtaking opera. The reasons why are about to be shown to you.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Madame Butterfly is an opera written by Giacomo Puccini which is very popular. We strongly recommend opera glasses for this breathtaking opera. The reasons why are about to be shown to you.</p>
<p>Madame Butterfly is set in Nagasaki Japan, at the top of the hill one of our main characters, a United States Naval Officer named Pinkerton is inspecting a beautiful house with a wonderful view of the bay down below with a marriage broker by the name of Goro. Pinkerton is inspecting the home for him and his bride to be, Madame Butterfly. Upon finishing the inspection of the home, Pinkerton agrees to buy the home for 999 years, although he holds the right to cancel the agreement of the purchase during any month</p>
<p>As the Opera continues, we find that the wedding of Madame Butterfly and the Officer is soon to take place. Many of Butterfly&#8217;s family will be flying in to attend the wedding, with one exception. Butterfly&#8217;s uncle will not be attending as he is a priest.</p>
<p>Although Pinkerton is marrying Butterfly, his goal is to get the love of as many beautiful women as possible. This is the reason he wants to have the right to cancel the housing agreement each and every month. Soon you will want to put on your opera glasses to see the beautiful Butterfly.</p>
<p>Before you get to see Butterfly&#8217;s beauty, one final part of the opera plays through. The American Consul, who is with Pinkerton, asks him if he loves Madame Butterfly. A yes will not come out of the mouth of Pinkerton, nor could it, for Pinkerton, is simply infatuated with Butterfly&#8217;s innocence, beauty and charm. He does not love her. Pinkerton then begins to speak of one day having an American woman to wed.</p>
<p>Butterfly finally graces the stage. The wedding of the Officer and Butterfly begins, as Butterfly&#8217;s family looks on. After the wedding has taken place, we find Butterfly&#8217;s uncle has broken into the party, he has found out that Butterfly has abandoned her own religion for Pinkerton&#8217;s by marrying him. Butterfly is crushed, but is consoled by her unloving husband Pinkerton.</p>
<p>Months and weeks pass Butterfly and Pinkerton stay happily married, Butterfly is beyond content, nearly exploding with joy with the marriage to the man that she loves so much. One day Pinkerton finds that he must leave to fulfill his service as a naval officer, and tells Butterfly that he will soon return.</p>
<p>As act three begins, we come to know that three years have passed since Pinkerton walked out the <a href="http://www.coloradospringsgaragedoor.com" class="kblinker" title="More about door &raquo;">door</a> for the last time. Butterfly faithfully watches out the window each day to see if his ship will come in. One day as she is watching out the window, she sees a figure that she recognizes walking up the path. No it is not Pinkerton coming up the path, but his good friend that she has known from the beginning as his friend the American Consul. She greets him excitedly hoping that he brings news from her husband. Unknown to Butterfly, the American Consul has been sent to her by Pinkerton to tell her that he has married an American woman named Kate, and that he would not be returning to her ever. Broken hearted, the American Consul Curses Pinkerton, and gives the news so hard to bear.</p>
<p>Crushed by the dishonor and betrayal she leaves the room only to come back carrying a child. She begs with the American Consul, she says that Pinkerton would not dare to leave his wife, and now child. After trying to convince him that Pinkerton would not leave her, she finally accepts the facts.</p>
<p>The story does not end here, but to find out the end of the story you will have to see Madame Butterfly for yourself. The costumes are sure to amaze, the music cannot be forgotten, and the story riveting. Make sure you don&#8217;t forget to bring your opera glasses so that you can fully enjoy every moment.</p>
<p>Before you attend any performance make sure that you have a good pair of <a href='http://www.fineoperaglasses.com'>opera glasses</a>. Here you can check out <a href="http://fineoperaglasses.com/opera-glasses...compact-binoculars-by-style.html">Opera Glasses</a> with handle, flashlight, chain and more!</p>
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		<title>Learn A Little More About Opera Glasses</title>
		<link>http://topstoriescoloradosprings.com/entertainment/learn-a-little-more-about-opera-glasses/</link>
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		<pubDate>Fri, 25 Dec 2009 08:09:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jeff Bridges</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[Have you been at a concert or in a theater and wished you could see the stage better? You should consider getting a pair of opera glasses. They are more than just beautiful and classic pieces of history. Modern opera glasses can help you see what is going on around you at any performance. This need has not changed since the 1800's when they became popular with people attending the Paris opera.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Have you been at a concert or in a theater and wished you could see the stage better? You should consider getting a pair of opera glasses. They are more than just beautiful and classic pieces of history. Modern opera glasses can help you see what is going on around you at any performance. This need has not changed since the 1800&#8217;s when they became popular with people attending the Paris opera.</p>
<p>It went far beyond simply getting a good look at the stage from the affordable seats. If you were at the opera you were also there to be seen. This was because it was an important social event. Because of this, many people spent just as much time looking at the audience as they did the stage. A simple and fashionable way of magnifying the action was needed and opera glasses were invented.</p>
<p>Opera glasses rapidly became status symbols and ways for people to show off their wealth. If you had the money to attend the opera you wanted others to know it. And a great deal of business was conducted at intermission as well. A huge portion of the high society social calendar was taken up by opera season.</p>
<p>Because of this, anything connected to the opera could become a status symbol. Opera glasses were no exception. A person attending the theater often had a pair made of expensive materials such as gold or enamel. The outsides of the glasses were often highly decorated. Cases to keep the glasses in were often highly decorated as well. Different variations came into being including lorgnette models that had an attached handle and folding models that were quite compact.</p>
<p>Modern opera glasses are much the same as they were in the beginning. They still come in several different models. Opera glasses are still popular as well. They are not hard to find but it may take a bit of looking on your part. You should start your search in stores which sell binoculars. A camera store may have some or they may be able to order them for you.</p>
<p>Before you decide which style you want you should make sure that the magnification factor is correct. You want to make sure that they are fairly low powered. High levels of magnification are best for binoculars and telescopic camera lenses. Most experts agree that you should look for a 3x magnification factor. You should stay away from a magnification factor of 5x or higher.</p>
<p>They are also still available in a range of materials from the very basic to the very expensive. If you are looking for a basic model, there are now reasonably priced folding versions that include a plastic case. It really depends on your personal preference as to which style you purchase.</p>
<p>Opera glasses can be a useful and beautiful accessory. It is an item with a <a href="http://www.colorado-springs-movers.net" class="kblinker" title="More about long &raquo;">long</a> history that can make your trip to the theater much more enjoyable.</p>
<p>Jeff Bridges has always loved the theater and opera, he currently helps run an opera glasses retail site where they sell <a href='http://www.fineoperaglasses.com'>opera glasses</a>. Including <a href="http://fineoperaglasses.com/opera-glasses...compact-binoculars-by-style.html">Opera Glasses</a> with handle, flashlight, chain and more!</p>
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		<title>Opera Glasses, A Great Way To View All The Action On Stage From Far Away</title>
		<link>http://topstoriescoloradosprings.com/entertainment/opera-glasses-a-great-way-to-view-all-the-action-on-stage-from-far-away/</link>
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		<pubDate>Fri, 25 Dec 2009 08:05:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jeff Bridges</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[Opera Glasses are somewhat like binoculars except that they are for seeing stage performances. The opera houses of yesterday had seats that were free or cheaper for people but they were far away from the stage up on balconies. The stage was so distant that one could only see the figures moving around on stage. Props were nonexistent and seeing the singer or actors face was impossible. Opera glasses would make it a little easier for those sitting in the cheap seats to see what was happening on stage and see what the actors actually looked like. Opera glasses have been in use since the 50's.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Opera Glasses are somewhat like binoculars except that they are for seeing stage performances. The opera houses of yesterday had seats that were free or cheaper for people but they were far away from the stage up on balconies. The stage was so distant that one could only see the figures <a href="http://www.colorado-springs-movers.net" class="kblinker" title="More about moving &raquo;">moving</a> around on stage. Props were nonexistent and seeing the singer or actors face was impossible. Opera glasses would make it a little easier for those sitting in the cheap seats to see what was happening on stage and see what the actors actually looked like. Opera glasses have been in use since the 50&#8217;s.</p>
<p>Binoculars and Opera Glasses have several major differences including the fact that opera glasses are smaller and made to be unnoticed or be tucked away where no one could see them until the performance started. Today there are several types that look like a flat case easily carried in a women&#8217;s bag or in a suit pocket, but touch a button and they pop up. There are some that fold up on each other and hard to notice unless they are fully pulled out and ready to use. Some manufactures make reproductions of older models that have a rod from which to hold them called lorgnettes enabling the view to hold with one hand. This rod folds and practically disappears when not in use.</p>
<p>Opera glasses can be found for purchase today. There are inexpensive ones that cost about $50 to $100 but there are others that can be more expensive. These kind are equipped with better optics and larger magnifications and may be unique in the way they look. You can also get vintage opera glasses that may cost much more merely because they are antique. Always try them out to make sure they are still in working order.</p>
<p>Often times theaters and opera houses will rent opera glasses for a nominal price. If you go often you may want to consider purchasing your own, but if your visits are infrequent plan on renting. Before purchasing it is a good idea to try out different styles to see what suits you best. There are those people who don&#8217;t mind holding them with both hands and some that would prefer using the one hand hold with the rod at the side. You may even find you don&#8217;t want to use them as they interfere with the performance or you find it hard to hold them in place.</p>
<p>Binoculars differ from opera glasses in magnification. The system used in opera glasses is a simple system whereas that used in binoculars is quite extensive. The system used in opera glasses is based on the simple system invented by Galileo called the Galilean optical system. The images will not be as sharp with opera glasses but you can still see most of what you need to on the stage</p>
<p>Most opera glasses today are made in China. Most of them have a magnification to 3 X which is adequate for a large auditorium or concert hall. Exceptions to the rule go to 5 X but they are quite expensive. Some will have a center focus and some don&#8217;t have one at all. Usually the non focus glasses have a small red LED light that appears between the eye barrels. This will enable you to read the program in dim light without disturbing your neighbor. If you have good vision these will be the ones for you however, if you have a problem with vision and wish to use the opera glasses without your corrective lenses it is better to go with the ones that can be focused. Since there is a central focusing mechanism there is no room for the light so focused opera glasses will not have one.</p>
<p>Opera Glasses usually are accompanied by a case and especially look for this in the vintage ones. Some are soft sided and others hare hard and can be lined with velvet. Some antique glasses are made of ivory or enamel with cloisonne and they may be bejewelled or framed in gold or silver. Old ones were very beautiful and elegant. Either vintage or modern glasses make a great gift for those who love the ballet, opera or theater.</p>
<p>Before you attend any performance make sure that you have a good pair of <a href='http://www.fineoperaglasses.com'>opera glasses</a>. Here you can check out <a href="http://fineoperaglasses.com/opera-glasses...compact-binoculars-by-style.html">Opera Glasses</a> with handle, flashlight, chain and more!</p>
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