Do you like opera? When was the last time you saw one? Did you enjoy it?

Listen to the track (or watch the video) and complete the sentences. Use no more than 2 words.

Hero of 9/11 immortalized in opera

1. A new opera premiered in San Francisco on the eve of the anniversary of the __________telling the story of one of the heroes.

2. But Heart of a Soldier goes beyond simply the events of that day________.

3. “I think it’s important to stress it’s not just a 9/11 story, because there are issues of: what is America, what is our place in the world, how do we honour all of those who have fallen and died in the name of _______.......

4. He managed to evacuate _______people. But when he went back in for a final check – he never came out.

5. “Rick Riscorla did extraordinary things, it’s a great story, but he was just a person you’d like to_________, he was a nice man, he was a good man.”

6. The opera also tells the story of the __________ between Rick and his battlefield companion from Africa and Vietnam — Dan Hill.

7. “That’s an __________our audience! So I think it’s very hot and exciting to see these people discover themselves at 58 and 50, and come together.”

8. “I think that he had no choice, it was never in ___________ to not go back in that building and get the people out,” Hampson added.

 

2. What do you think was the message of this opera? Do you believe it could help to remember about the victims of the terrorist act in September, 2001.

The Theatre

People live a very busy life nowadays, so they have little time to spare. Still they try their best to make use of those rare hours of leisure. Some people find it a pleasure to go to the theatre. The theatre is one of the most ancient kinds of arts. For centuries people have come to the theatre for different aims: to relax, to be amused and entertained, to have a good laugh, to enjoy the acting of their favourite actors and actresses.

Some people like drama, others are fond of musical comedy. The subtlest theatre-lovers prefer ballet and opera. In our country, there are a lot of theatres: big and small, new and old, famous and not very well known. The Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow is among the most famous theatres in the world. Wonderful operas and ballets are staged in this theatre. The names of Ulanova, Plisetskaya, Maximova, Vasiliev, Arkhipova, Sotkilava and others are known worldwide.

The other most popular Moscow theatres are the Maly Theatre, the Satire Theatre, the Vachtangov Theatre, the Variety Theatre and others. Young spectators attend the Children's Musical Theatre and the Puppet Theatre more willingly. All these and lots of other theatres present a great variety of shows. That makes a spectator feel somewhat at a loss what theatre to choose. In this case it may turn out useful to consult a billboard and find out what and where is on. Sometimes you may face a difficulty of another kind: that is of getting tickets. If you don't feel like standing in a queue for tickets at the box-office, you may book them beforehand.

Ticket prices vary according to the seats. The better seats at the theatre are in the stalls and in the dress circle. They are rather expensive seats. Boxes, of course, are the best seats and the most expensive, too. Those people, who are short of money, take seats in the gallery, in the balcony or in the upper balcony. Tickets for afternoon performances are cheaper than those for evening performances.

 

1. Answer the following questions:

- Are you a frequent theatregoer?
- I can't say I am. But still I try not to miss an opportunity to see the plays that are spoken of and are worth seeing.
- When did you visit the theatre first?
- It was some years ago. My mother took me to a morning performance of the ballet "The Sleeping Beauty".
- What were your impressions?
- It was great! The acting, the costumes, the music of the ballet were superb! The performance was a great success with the public.

- Have you ever been to the Bolshoi Theatre?
- Unfortunately, I haven't. But my mother happened to be there. She listened to the opera "The Queen of Spades" there. I can't tell you what a treat it was for her.

TASK 1