A Night at the Opera in Portland: Experiencing Everest
Read the book, see the movie… then experience the opera?
For those of us who remember Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer, published in 1997, and later watched the film Everest, this production feels like a surprising and evocative trip down Memory Lane. The story of the 1996 Mount Everest disaster is already etched into the collective consciousness through those earlier tellings, making the idea of revisiting it—this time through opera—both unexpected and intriguing.
I’ll admit upfront: I am not an opera enthusiast. Quite the opposite, in fact. I have little interest in opera and even less knowledge about it. So when my daughter bought tickets for the entire family to attend Everest: The Opera, I was already outside my comfort zone. When she casually added that it was an opera without live singing, I was completely baffled. An opera with no live singing? I had no idea what to expect—and that uncertainty followed me straight through the doors of the opera house.
Stepping inside the doors, we were immediately charmed. Instead of a traditional lobby entrance, we were welcomed into “Base Camp.” The opera house had been transformed into a snowy staging area, complete with tents, climbing gear, and gently falling fake snow. Audience members were invited to step into the scene, take photos in front of the campsite, and momentarily become part of the expedition themselves. It was immersive, playful, and unexpectedly effective—blurring the line between spectator and participant before the performance even began.
By the time we took our seats, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a conventional night at the opera. The journey had already started, and I was far more open—curious, even—than I would have guessed just an hour earlier.
I’m sorry to say that this particular event is no longer showing – but it’s definitely worthwhile to keep the Portland Opera House on your watch list!
