B2.37 - At the opera - Exercises
Exercise 1: Match a word
Instruction: Match each word with its definition.
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Exercise 2: Exam preparation
Instruction: Read the text, fill in the gaps with the missing words, and answer the questions below
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Reseña: una noche de ópera con la maquinaria a la vista
La nueva producción de La traviata en el Teatro Real apuesta por una en escena que muestra, sin complejos, el trabajo técnico: plataformas que suben al escenario y cambios de casi a la vista del público. La orquesta mantiene un equilibrio cuidado entre cuerdas y vientos (clarinete y trompeta), con un preciso que sostiene la tensión dramática durante todo el primer .
El resultado funciona cuando la dirección escénica sabe dónde dirigir la mirada: la escena gana profundidad donde la iluminación acompaña, pero pierde intimidad cuando el movimiento se vuelve mecánico. Aun así, se agradece que el montaje y que la compañía no oculte el “detrás”. Recomendable para quienes quieran escuchar una lectura clásica y, a la vez, entender cómo se construye el espectáculo.The new production of La traviata at the Teatro Real goes for a staging that shows, without any embarrassment, the technical work: platforms that rise onto the stage and set changes almost in full view of the audience. The orchestra maintains a carefully balanced sound between strings and winds (clarinet and trumpet), with a precise tempo that sustains the dramatic tension throughout the entire first act.
The result works when the stage direction knows where to direct the gaze: the scene gains depth where the lighting supports it, but it loses intimacy when the movement becomes mechanical. Even so, it is appreciated that the production takes risks and that the company does not hide the “behind-the-scenes.” Recommended for those who want to hear a classic interpretation and, at the same time, understand how the show is built.
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¿Qué valoración hace el texto sobre la puesta en escena y en qué aspectos concretos se basa para justificarla?
(What assessment does the text make of the staging, and on which specific aspects does it base this assessment to justify it?)
Exercise 3: Listening
Instruction: Listen to the audio and answer the questions.
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| True | False | |
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(The narrator went to the opera accompanied by colleagues from work.) |
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(According to the narrator, in the second act the choreography did not fit with the rhythm of the music.) |
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(The narrator liked the performance, although she had some complaint about the sound in the theater.) |
Exercise 4: Verb conjugations
Instruction: Choose the correct solution
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1. Te acompaño hacia donde ___ la compañía de danza clásica esta noche, aunque aún no hayan confirmado la sala.
(I’ll go with you to wherever the classical dance company ___ tonight, even though they still haven’t confirmed the venue.)2. En el descanso, vamos hasta donde ___ el director invitado, porque el programa no especifica qué obra interpretarán.
(During the intermission, we’ll go to wherever the guest conductor ___, because the program doesn’t specify which piece they will perform.)3. Si quieres escuchar el clarinete sin tanto ruido, siéntate donde te ___ el acomodador, no donde te parezca.
(If you want to hear the clarinet without so much noise, sit where the usher ___, not where you feel like.)Exercise 5: Dialogue comprehension
Instruction: Practice the conversation with your teacher or fellow students.
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Crítica tras la función en el Real
Marta (amiga melómana): Show ¿Qué te ha parecido el segundo acto? A mí me dio la sensación de que la coreografía estaba pensada al milímetro, aunque a ratos me distraía de la trama.
(What did you think of the second act? I had the feeling that the choreography was planned down to the millimeter, although at times it distracted me from the plot.)
Álvaro (compañero de trabajo): Show A mí la puesta en escena me gustó, pero la compañía de danza clásica me pareció demasiado protagonista; en una ópera esperaba que acompañaran más y no “mandaran” tanto.
(I liked the staging, but the classical dance company seemed too much in the spotlight; in an opera I expected them to accompany more and not “call the shots” so much.)
Marta (amiga melómana): Show Puede ser, pero musicalmente me encantó: el clarinete y el contrabajo le daban un color muy íntimo, casi de música de cámara, y el director mantuvo el compás con claridad.
(Maybe, but musically I loved it: the clarinet and the double bass gave it a very intimate color, almost like chamber music, and the conductor kept the time clearly.)
Álvaro (compañero de trabajo): Show Sí, la armonía estaba cuidada, aunque la batería en el foso me chocó: ese ritmo tan marcado me sonó más a música popular que a lo que esperaba en esta obra.
(Yes, the harmony was well cared for, although the drums in the pit surprised me: that very marked rhythm sounded more like popular music than what I expected in this work.)
Marta (amiga melómana): Show Yo lo vi como un guiño a la música tradicional, para conectar con el público; si lo hubieran hecho más “barroco” habría quedado precioso, pero también más frío.
(I saw it as a nod to traditional music, to connect with the audience; if they had done it more “baroque” it would have been beautiful, but also colder.)
Open questions:
1. ¿Qué aspectos de la puesta en escena critica Álvaro y cuáles valora Marta?
What aspects of the staging does Álvaro criticize and which ones does Marta appreciate?
Exercise 6: Discussion questions
Instruction: Speaking: translate and respond
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Useful expressions:
Me gustó sobre todo… porque el ritmo y la armonía… / Es una obra en la que… donde la orquesta… / Hasta donde sé, la compañía dirige la escena de forma…
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Acabas de salir del Teatro Real: ¿qué te ha parecido la puesta en escena y la música, y por qué?
You’ve just left the Teatro Real: what did you think of the staging and the music, and why?
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Si un amigo viene de visita a Madrid, ¿qué función le recomendarías y hasta dónde le explicarías el argumento sin estropearle la sorpresa?
If a friend comes to visit Madrid, which performance would you recommend and how far would you explain the plot without spoiling the surprise?
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Exercise 7: Writing correspondence
Instruction: Write a reply to the following message appropriate to the situation
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Asunto: Incidencia con sus entradas - Función de ópera
Estimado/a Sr./Sra. López:
Gracias por escribirnos. La función de ayer sufrió un problema técnico con una de las plataformas del escenario y el montaje se interrumpió unos minutos. Sentimos las molestias.
Podemos ofrecerle dos opciones: cambio de entradas para la función del jueves (misma zona) o un vale para otra ópera de esta temporada. Si prefiere el cambio, indíquenos hasta dónde puede venir (hora límite) para recogerlas en taquilla.
Un saludo,
María Sanz
Atención al Público - Teatro Real
Subject: Issue with your tickets - Opera performance
Dear Mr./Ms. López:
Thank you for writing to us. Yesterday’s performance experienced a technical problem with one of the stage platforms and the set-up was interrupted for a few minutes. We apologize for the inconvenience.
We can offer you two options: exchanging your tickets for the Thursday performance (same section) or a voucher for another opera this season. If you prefer the exchange, please let us know until when you can come (latest time) to pick them up at the box office.
Kind regards,
María Sanz
Audience Services - Teatro Real
Useful phrases:
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Agradezco la opción, pero antes de confirmarla quisiera saber...
(I appreciate the option, but before confirming it I would like to know...)
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En cuanto a la recogida, puedo pasar por taquilla hasta donde me indiquen.
(As for pick-up, I can stop by the box office until whenever you tell me.)
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Si fuera posible, preferiría el cambio porque la puesta en escena me interesa, a pesar de la interrupción.
(If possible, I would prefer the exchange because I’m interested in the staging, despite the interruption.)
Dear María:<br/><br/>Thank you for your reply. I understand that the interruption was due to a malfunction in the stage platforms. Even so, I would like to state that from our seat the pause disrupted the rhythm of the second act quite a bit.<br/><br/>I would prefer the exchange for the Thursday performance, in the same section. Could you confirm whether the view of the stage will be the same? Also, will there be any adjustment to the staging or to the duration of the performance?<br/><br/>Regarding pick-up: I can stop by the box office tomorrow at midday; I would appreciate it if you could tell me until what time I can do so without losing the reservation.<br/><br/>Kind regards,<br/>Ana López
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