Kein Salat . . .

Last night I went to see the operetta "Fra Diavolo" at the Volksoper. Luckily the theater wasn't crowded and we were given seats for the whole performance. So we got to sit for the Stehplatz price! The opera was hilarious! I was giggling the whole time. The music was delightful and at times the performers sang so fast my jaw went slack. The story followed Fra Diavolo, an infamous Italian bandit, who procedes to rob a rich English Lord and Lady. The Lord and Lady were a funny pair, first showing up in their underwear and fur coats holding their yorkshire Daisy, having been robbed of everything else. Fra Diavolo's two henchmen, Beppo and Giacomo were reminiscent of Laurel and Hardy.

My favorite part of the whole opera was the scene where Beppo was trying to read a secret letter from Fra Diavolo aloud but kept misreading the words. He'd say " . . . ein Salat," (a salad) and Giacomo would storm over to read it correctly to say, "kein Soldat." (no soldier). Beppo finishes the letter and says in confusion, "Its from his wife." Giacomo looks over in confusion and looks at the letter, asking how he knew this. Beppo points to the signature, saying "Frau Diavolo," and Giacomo rolls his eyes and slaps his on the head. "It says Fra Diavolo!"