DVD Review: Riders of the Purple Sage, the Making of a Western Opera

Back in 2017 the Arizona Opera premiered a contemporary opera, Riders of the Purple Sage, adapted from Zane Grey's classic Western novel that was first published in 1912. Apparently an entire performance of the opera itself has never been made available on video, but a "making of" documentary, Riders of the Purple Sage:  the Making of a Western Opera is available. It includes several scenes from the performance along with documenting much of the work that was involved in creating what was eventually seen (and heard) on stage.

Grand operas have staged stories of the Old West before--the classic Girl of the Golden West being the most obvious example. Given the place Purple Sage holds in American literature--a story big enough for the legendary American West, the only Western recognized by the Library of Congress as one of "One Hundred Books that Shaped America," a classic battle between the good, the bad, and the ugly--it's a little surprising that more than one hundred years passed before an opera composer and company undertook an adaptation.

Thanks to this documentary, opera fans, theater fans, and fans of the book, too, get a behind-the-scenes look at all aspects of what it takes to bring a new opera to the stage:  writing the script (the "libretto" in opera terminology), composing and rehearsing the music, creating the costumes and scenery. One long section is devoted entirely to the building of the sets, from an acclaimed Western artist's renderings to the hammer-and-nails construction. There are also several segments devoted to the history of the book, including visits to the actual Western landmarks that inspired Grey to create the story of a Mormon woman rancher, the Mormon elders that covet her ranch, the mysterious stranger who rides to her defense, and the unearthing of dark secrets that lead inexorably to the outcome.

Although watching the documentary on DVD isn't a substitute for either seeing the opera or reading the book (or watching one of the several film versions of the book, for that matter), it works as a supplement for fans who'd like to know more. It has something to reward both people who've spent their lives studying theater (and music, especially serious orchestral music) and people who have no clue how much work goes into a live musical theater production. 

Running time:  82 min. 

Website:  https://www.ridersoperafilm.com/

Distributor's website:  www.firstrunfeatures.com

What I Want to Accomplish in 2023 (and Beyond)

I read two self-help books in '22 and one, Getting Things Done:  The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen, advised setting up a tickler file by month and day for everything you need to, or want to, do. To follow the book's advice, you'll first need to spend hours (or days) making note of every project, task, goal, chore, job you want/need to do (each noted on a separate sheet of paper, any paper), then file the papers into your date-and-month file system, so recurring tasks, scheduled tasks, priority tasks, (etc.), show up when you daily check your file. Anything that doesn't fit a date, keep it in a "someday" or "pending" file, or similar such file(s), for whenever you find a hole in your schedule to fill.

The second book, How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life by Alan Lakein, advises starting with three quick lists, first, your lifetime goals, then, your goals for the next three years, and then the ones that you'd accomplish ASAP--if you only had six months left in your life. Make the lists within a few minutes, don't spend time agonizing over them. From those lists select your top three goals, and your "A" list. Revise your lists of goals and which ones make your "A" list at least annually.

So, using some ideas from the books, I'm going to outline what I want to accomplish in 2023. I've set my plans and goals (including what some people might call "resolutions" or "bucket list items") into categories set around my life's priorities, including some possibilities that involve projections into 2024 or even 2025. 

Change in Habits, Lifestyle, Self-Improvement:

(1)  Put ideas from the two self-help books described above into practice--see if I can block out one or two days for writing down everything, small or large, immediate or long-term, that I want to accomplish, on separate pieces of paper, and putting them into a day-and-month file, which will work as a supplement to my Franklin Planner appointment book. At the same time I'll use that major undertaking as inspiration for the smaller, simpler "three lists" exercise from the second book.

(2)  I was an avid user of eBay in the "aughts" (the early 2000's) but I haven't posted anything for sale on the site in at least a decade. Now I'm thinking it's time to try and use eBay to sell some of the art, books, and entertainment media that still clutter my house.

(3) Get back into the habit of walking 15-55 min. three times per week.

(4)  Get into the habit of regular "spa" treatments:  manicures, pedicures, facials.

(5)  Find a new hairdresser to replace the one I had the falling-out with (maybe look up the stylist my mother went to), and make at least three trips to the beauty parlor a priority--one for March, one for June, and one for October at the very least.

(6)  Adjusting to a more comfortable lifestyle, which means enjoying more afternoons or evenings with a fire in the fireplace, with a book, snack, or project (and if the fireplace smokes, get it cleaned, and if more firewood is needed, stack some more up).

(7) Read at least 35 books (including at least 14 novels, at least 14 non-fiction books) and watch at least 35 movies.

Home Improvement: 

(1) See about transplanting the avocado tree out from under the utility wires in the backyard, and maybe move a large juniper back from the fence, too. Maybe even landscape and/or reseed the yard to improve curb appeal.

(2) Undertake another round of cleaning/organizing/inventory in the kitchen cabinets and drawers, probably a two-day job, and another round of cleaning/organizing/inventory of contents of the glass display cases in the living room--this work encompasses two "annual cleaning" jobs, that in reality turn into once-every-few-years jobs. At the same time keep my eyes on the prize--fewer glass display cases cluttering up the living room.

(3) Move contents of my storage unit ("King Tut's Tomb") into my garage, and close up the storage unit. This will involve coordinating with someone who can move heavy furniture. This goal is already tentatively scheduled for the end of March.

Jobs That Take as Much Time as I Can Give Them, Year After Year:

(1) Stamp collection.

(2) Family's photo collection, including slides.

(3) Genealogy research.

(4) Managing video, DVD, music, and book collections--buy, sell, donate. At same time focus on thinning out my VHS collection (yeah, I still have one).

(5) Writing my columns, and other creative output, and trying to find new markets for publication.

(6) Reconciling budget with income.

Shopping: 

(1) Buy one movie, one book, and one item of clothing every month, plus one extra for my birthday and Christmas. 

(2)  Look into getting a new phone plan and/or a different phone and/or being better able to use the features on the phone I purchased in '22. The one I have now is 4g and I'd like to upgrade to 5g. Maybe see about switching carriers to Consumer Cellular. Maybe see about getting a "Jitterbug" or "Lively" brand. I can even have more than one phone if I want, I already have a landline and a cell phone, so two or more cell phones is just going with the trend.

Plans for Special Days:

For my birthday, I have enough ideas for the next three years of birthdays: (1) Now that COVID is less of a concern, get together with several friends at the Lazy Dog in Irvine, where my kitty Faith can come along in her carrier, too. (2) Eat at the Polo Lounge in Beverly Hills, (3) Good reason to visit the relatives.

For the holiday season, there's a backlog, too, but that's cool: (1) just take time for contentment and comfort, have that fire in the fireplace and cook a turkey (preferably brown-in-bag style) and then eat turkey for however many days. (2) Do some holiday baking for charity. (3)  Good reason to visit the relatives.

Travel:  (1) San Diego to visit my horse Spade's grave (can be done in March), (2) see the Grand Canyon, (3) I've never been to Mt. Rushmore and the northern plains, (4) times for visiting the relatives include my birthday and the Apple Blossom Festival, the 4th of July,  Thanksgiving,  Christmas.

Of Importance at My Age:  (1) I have a hand-written will squirreled away, but I'd still like to get a more formal one made--not a trust, just a will.  (2)  I still have to create a financial power of attorney.  (3)  Sooner or later I'll have to consider buying a cemetery plot, so the decision won't be left entirely to my heirs.

Medical Appointments:  (1) mammogram, (2) eye exam and an update of eyeglass prescription(s) if necessary, (3) physical and/or "wellness exam."