724 The Most Expensive Opera Actor in History (1/2)

Inside the Rentato Royal Grand Theater, the nobles and sorcerers who appreciated the intermezzo whispered to each other about the opera form that was entirely different from the past.

Ever since opera became popular, the number opera had always been the unquestionable mainstream. Even though somebody had modified it, no one ever had the courage to abandon the exceptionally successful pattern. The nobles and civilians of Holm were also used to the opera. They were fond of the touching aria. As for the plot that the opera intended to represent, they generally did no more than enough for them to perceive the feelings behind the music.

As for the more detailed storyline and the specific dialogs, they often learned and picked it up by appreciating same-title plays later.

That was not a problem in the past when the plot was relatively simple. They could appreciate the music, the singing, and the basic story when they watched an opera. However, as the playwrights like Oliver created stories that were more captivating, people often had the feeling that singing was independent of the plot when they listened to opera. Music and story were separated.

However, the conflicts had not reached the tipping point for a change yet. Therefore, after listening to the first act of ”Valkyrie” created by Lucien Evans, they were rather unused to it and had a heated discussion, forgetting the manners of opera appreciation.

”The whole act is just a huge number?” Stephine, Duke James' wife, talked to Jane, her daughter next to her.

Jane's black hair was naturally curled on her shoulder, just like the feeling that she gave. Among the nobles, she had been known as the ”quiet doll”.

”It's more like a symphony than a number for me. The theme is exactly the content in the prelude. Besides, the boundary between the recitative and the aria seems blurred…” Jane introduced it to Stephine in a low voice.

In the previous opera, she felt that the plot and the melody were so integrated that she was devoted to the atmosphere that they built despite the strangeness. She was worried about the princess, hated the brutal new king and the shrewd prime minister, and sympathized with the loyal maids. Every sentence and every melody seemed to be echoing inside her heart.

It was not until the intermezzo echoed that Jane finally recalled the opera just now. Part of the recitative had the features of singing, and the aria sounded somewhat like recitation, too…

Stephine said in amusement. ”One act equals a symphony? As expected of Master Evans from Aalto.”

In Aalto, the brilliance of symphony eclipsed everything else, and they preferred to call Lucien master when they discussed music.

After a heated discussion, the nobles had their own opinions. Most of them believed that the first act of Valkyrie was above average despite the alienness.

A master was truly a master!

Inside the box, faced with Oliver's doubt, Lucien told him his idea of creation with a smile, feeling quite proud of it. Although the modification was based on Mr. Wagner's reform of opera on Earth, the plot, melody, songs, and structural design of the opera had all been created by himself independently.

Hearing Lucien's reply, Oliver was briefly stunned. He then said with a smile, ”I like the idea. Music and singing should serve the plot. The musicians who adopted my plays into opera did not understand the simple reason. That's why they couldn't create an opera that everybody liked. If only I had cooperated with you sooner.”

Lucien had thought that Oliver would be conservative about the reform. Not expecting him to accept it so easily, he was surprised at first but then relieved. As a playwright, Oliver certainly attached more importance to the plot.

Natasha whistled the monologue of the princess just now, and Fernando knocked the rail, as if he were looking for the next scene.

......

In the square in the small city Samara…

The citizens were silenced by such a disruptive form. They were completely moved by the story, the characters, the melody, and the singing just now during the first act, but they somehow felt weird and thought that opera should be like that.

”This must be the new trend in opera. Mr. Atom Controller is a music master. He is certainly much more visionary than us!” a passionate symphony fan suddenly shouted.

Her voice broke the temporary silence. The citizens echoed with him.

”Yes, the master musician certainly knows better than us!”

”The opera just now truly sounded better than the past. Well, it looked much better, too!”

”So, that's what the top singer and actor are like. Those things we listened to in the past were incomparable to them!”

”The money they earn in one performance is your wages for an entire year!”

…

Looking at the splendid theater on the ”curtain”, Banus said thoughtfully, ”Until today, I never thought that I could watch and listen to the best opera performance, but everything seems so easy right now. We can see an opera in the Royal Grand Theater in Samara. Magic is too marvelous!”

”Yes, I'm looking more and more forward to the 'magic civilization' that Arcana Voice introduced. Perhaps we will be able to see Rentato without going outdoors…” Ali was fascinated by the ever-changing images and sounds on the ”curtain”. That was the power of gods that the Church preached in the past!

Thinking about the changes that happened to his life, Ali felt more or less depressed. Everything was moving fast, but what about him? Staying in the town and growing old, like his father and grandfather?

The prelude of the second act of Valkyrie echoed, giving an intense and agitating feeling that was mixed with warmth.