Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
On Tuesday evening, Rod and Wyl arrived early on the Galway University campus. They stood in the auditorium where Rod was giving his presentation of Don Giovanni.
“Let’s go down to the stage so I can see what the room looks like from there,” Rod took a side aisle down to the skirt before climbing the steps to the stage. Wyl followed.
“Are you using the podium?”
“You were in class with me. You know I prefer to stroll back and forth. I hope this hall has a remote microphone so I can wander the stage.”
Wyl massaged Rod’s shoulders. “Are you nervous?”
“Not nervous, but that shoulder massage sure feels good.” Rod leaned his head back to flex his neck as Wyl massaged. “You have such powerful hands.”
Wyl stopped the massage and wrapped his left arm around Rod’s shoulders, leaning in to kiss his ear. “Good luck tonight, doctor.”
“Gentlemen,” a voice came from the rear of the auditorium.
A man approached, climbed the steps, and walked across the stage to where they stood.
He offered his hand. “I’m Tadhg McCourt, President of the Arts League of Galway, sponsors of the symposium.
You must be Dr. Bonner.” He faced Rod and offered his hand.
Rod grasped his hand and shook. “It’s a pleasure, Dr. McCourt.” He motioned to Wyl. “This is my husband, Wyl Sterling.”
Dr. McCourt smiled and offered Wyl his hand. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Sterling. I’ve heard a lot about you two.”
“Oh?” Wyl raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t realize we had a reputation in Ireland to live up to.”
Tadhg shook his head and smiled. “Nothing like that. I know you two are here on your honeymoon. We’re quite lucky to have a college professor who is an opera expert give a talk at the symposium.”
“Are you expecting a large crowd?” Rod slid his hands into his pockets to keep from fidgeting.
“We have two opera performance centers in Ireland,” Tadhg said. “One in Cork and one in Wexford. Neither is near Galway, so we feel rather isolated. I expect we’ll have quite a few opera fans for tonight’s lecture.”
“Do you have a wireless mic so I can stroll the stage as I talk?” Rod asked.
“Yes,” Tadhg walked to the lectern. “I believe we have a cordless microphone ready for you.” He picked up a microphone, switched it on, and spoke briefly. His voice boomed over the auditorium sound system.
“That works.” Rod took the microphone.
“I have your bio in my pocket,” Tadhg said. “I’ll introduce you and bring you up on stage. You and Wyl can sit in the front row over to the right.” Tadhg motioned to the place they should sit. “Wyl, I’ll introduce Rod and introduce you as his husband. Is that okay?”
Wyl nodded. “Fine with me.”
“Good. You can stand up and wave to the crowd, so everyone sees you.”
“Then I guess we’re all set,” Rod said.
Rod and Wyl took their seats as people began filing in.
Within twenty minutes, the auditorium had filled. The din of chatting guests flooded the room. Wyl reached for Rod’s hand and squeezed it, showing support for his husband. Tadhg McCourt walked on stage and approached the lectern. The crowd quieted as he picked up the microphone.
“Good evening, and welcome to tonight’s lecture.
The Arts League of Galway is pleased to offer an unusual treat.
Dr. Rod Bonner is an expert on opera and is here tonight to share his thoughts on Mozart’s Don Giovanni.
Dr. Bonner holds a Ph.D. in Musicology from the University of North Texas.
With him is his husband, Mr. Wyl Sterling.
They own a large ranch in West Texas. Wyl, stand and wave to the audience. ”
Wyl did, and a round of applause ensued.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please warmly welcome Dr. Rod Bonner.” Tadhg began applauding, and the audience joined him as Rod climbed the steps and walked to center stage. He shook Tadhg’s hand and accepted the microphone.”
“Thank you, Dr. McCourt, and thanks to the Arts League of Galway for having me here this evening,” Rod began.
He spoke about the production aspect of opera and how it took teamwork between the set crew, the chorus, and the soloists. He mentioned that some competitive sports coaches often used opera as an example of how collaboration works to craft a winning production.
He highlighted the various roles in opera and noted that the operatic soprano was typically a younger woman, while an older woman often played a mother or governess. An operatic tenor often played the leading male role, while a bass voice typically played the antagonist.
He briefly spoke about the three aspects of listening: musical, physical, and emotional, giving his audience a clue on how to enjoy music to the best.
The standing ovation showed the audience's overwhelming affection for his presentation.
“Wow, babe, that was fantastic.” Wyl gave his husband a quick hug after Rod left the stage. “I learned several things tonight that I didn’t know before.”
Tadhg McCourt approached, a big smile on his face.
“You are a hit, Dr. Bonner. The audience is abuzz about the information you shared. I can tell we need to host a performance of Don Giovanni here at the university soon. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must go schmooze.
” Tadhg shook hands with both Rod and Wyl before melting into the crowd.
Many well-wishers waited in line to shake hands with Rod and Wyl and chat about their opera experiences. The line thinned out, and at the end were Ailbe and Declan.
“Rod, I’m very impressed,” Ailbe offered his hand.
“Thank you, Ailbe,” Rod said, offering a hearty Texas handshake. “You mentioned this as a favorite opera of yours. Obviously, it is one of my favorites, too.”
“…and mine,” Wyl grinned.
“Your preference for this fine opera came across in your presentation, Rod. You not only know your opera, but you can also charm an audience,” Ailbe said.
“You did a good job, Rod,” Declan chimed in.
“Opera is not my thing. I prefer rock music, and even enjoy heavy metal. I rarely go with Ailbe to the opera, especially since it is an overnight trip. But tonight, I wanted to be here for your presentation. It helps to understand the story of an opera before hearing it.”
“You’re right, Declan. Thank you for coming tonight and for your comments.”
“Shall we go for a drink?” Wyl asked. “I could use a martini, and I know my husband needs to relax after his speech.”
“Sounds good,” Ailbe said. “Declan, you up for something?”
“There is a place not far from here, O’Connell’s Pub,” Declan said. “Ailbe and I meet there after work on weekdays. They have an Irish folk band on Tuesday nights. It’s not opera, but it’s music I enjoy. We can walk there for the Hooley.”
Wyl raised an eyebrow. “Hooley?”
“Aye. It’s what you Yanks call a celebration. We’re toasting to Rod’s enthralling presentation.” Declan said.
“Ah, yes, the Hooley!” Wyl laughed. “Are you down with that, Rod?”
“Down with that?” Declan asked.
“Yeah…American slang for okay.”
Declan laughed. “As you say, I’m down with that Hooley.”
The four laughed together as they left the hall for the pub.
In O’Connell’s, they found a booth and ordered drinks. Wyl and Rod ordered martinis, Declan ordered a Guinness, and Ailbe ordered a Bulmers. The four toasted when the drinks arrived.
“So, Rod, where did you learn so much about opera?” Ailbe took a sip of the orange-colored cider.
“As you heard Dr. McCourt say, my doctorate is in musicology, with an emphasis on opera,” he pushed the ice around in his glass with his finger.
“Wyl took me to a performance of Don Giovanni in Fort Worth the weekend he proposed marriage. Aside from being one of my favorite operas, it has a special meaning.” Rod reached and squeezed Wyl’s hand.
“You two are too much.” Declan sipped his Guinness. “The article in The Advocate was right.”
“When we first met, I sort of left out that I was gay,” Wyl said. “I didn’t know he was, but when he told me, I kept my preference to myself. But then he captured my heart and wouldn’t let go.”
“I’m so glad we met you two,” Ailbe said.
He was thinking about how to use Wyl to his advantage, but he knew he had to win them over as friends first. “We actually talked about coming to San Francisco for the therapy group session, but the weeks before the beginning of the fall semester are extremely busy on our campuses.”
“So, do you two have a place in Galway?” Wyl asked. He knew about their home from the information General Steinburg shared, but couldn’t reveal anything about their lives.
“We have a home over in Salthill, a suburb,” Declan said. “We bought it about three years ago, right, Ailbe?”
“That’s right,” Ailbe said. “It has a good view of Galway Bay and is in an upscale neighborhood.”
“Any problems with homophobia?” Rod was keenly aware of adverse reactions.
“None that we know about,” Ailbe said. “Both workplaces know we are a gay couple, and neither has raised an issue.”
“You’re lucky,” Rod looked at his empty martini glass.
Rod’s tired face caught Wyl’s eye. “You about ready to go, babe?”
“Yes…it has been a long day, and being a featured speaker can wear a body out.”
“I hope we can visit again soon,” Ailbe said. “I’m looking forward to your presentation tomorrow, Wyl. I want to pick your brain sometime.”
“At the racecourse, you mentioned Wilde’s,” Wyl said. “Let’s meet there later this week. Rod and I both like Pearson. He’s a talented musician.”
“Sounds like a good plan, lads,” Ailbe said.
“You chaps, take care,” Declan said.
Rod and Wyl needed to report to General Steinburg and James Pearson.
Ailbe and Declan needed to discuss the best way to entice Wyl into their fold and what to do with Rod.