State Opera Chorus

Famous quotes containing the words state, opera and/or chorus:

    We are at heart so profoundly anarchistic that the only form of state we can imagine living in is Utopian; and so cynical that the only Utopia we can believe in is authoritarian.
    Lionel Trilling (1905–1975)

    The Opera is obviously the first draft of a fine spectacle; it suggests the idea of one.
    —Jean De La Bruyère (1645–1696)

    Laughter on American television has taken the place of the chorus in Greek tragedy.... In other countries, the business of laughing is left to the viewers. Here, their laughter is put on the screen, integrated into the show. It is the screen that is laughing and having a good time. You are simply left alone with your consternation.
    Jean Baudrillard (b. 1929)