Opera Season in your neighbourhood

[treebeau]

Just for that, I'll make it long...unlike that third sock.

Regards,
Tim B.

[OperaTenor]

LOL!

[Marye]

Does anyone know very much about the tenor Badri Maisuradze ? I am afraid I know very little of this man and yet he is singing in Tosca in Toronto on Friday night.

OT? What do you know please?

[OperaTenor]

I haven't heard of him. I'll google & see what comes up. Sorry.

[treebeau]

Bump!

Found out yesterday that my local opera company is doing "Aida" (by Joe Green) in October and "The Magic Flute" (by Wolfie) in April.

Whatchall think? Attend? Skip?

Regards,
Tim B.

[barfle]

That depends on quite a few factors, not the least of which are the schedule and the pricing.

I've been known to drop a C-note per seat on an internationally renowned company doing a program I know I like. If the local outfit is doing it for somewhat less than that, and it's convenient, the first thing I'd do is see if the library has a video you can check out to see if it's something you would enjoy. Then decide for yourself. I'd be skeptical about watching a bunch of other people's kids doing it if it cost $25, but beyond those parameters, I would be pretty tempted by the Aida (being a Vivaldi fan).

[mmichaelson]

Aida is also coming to College Station, and I am for sure getting tickets!

[mmichaelson]

Just for kickers:
Yo-Yo Ma is also coming. . .are ya'll jealous yet?

[BigJon]

Originally posted by Saxy Buff:
Just for kickers:
Yo-Yo Ma is also coming. . .are ya'll jealous yet?

Yes! My favorite concert was Yo-Yo Ma at an old church. He held 1500 people in the palm of his hand as he led them through some selections from his "Inspired by Bach" album. No amplification, just the power of his performance.

BigJon

[mmichaelson]

Yes, I am so excited and ready to purchase my tickets. . .as soon as they open the booths for purchasing, that is.
I've loved everything that he has done thus far. . .

[mmichaelson]

Here is the link to check out the great shows that we're getting this year:

http://opas.tamu.edu/mainstage.html

http://opas.tamu.edu/ig.html

We have the main stage shows and then the intimate gatherings, which are in the smaller theater.

Terrific opportunities for great shows, especially for a college town!

[treebeau]

Barfle,

You got me with the "Vivaldi" thing. I need an explanation.

Thanks and regards,
Tim B.

[Selma in Sandy Eggo]

Verdi, Vivaldi, what's the diff?

[piqaboo]

Its all with the Spring Green theme?

[treebeau]

Mozart's "The Magic Flute"
as performed by the Piedmont Opera Company of Winston-Salem, NC.
Friday, April 8, 2005. 8pm

http://www.piedmontopera.org/magicflute.html
Click on the picture of any of the performers to get some more info.

Tamino Don Frazure
Pamina Margaret Lloyd
Papageno Frank Hernandez
Queen of the Night ???
Sarastro Mikhail Svetlov
Monastatos ???

The scenery was rather sparse and was not changed between Act 1 and Act 2, even though the location changes. I felt that this did not take anything away from the story. The opera was performed in English with English supertitles. The lighting, costumes, and performances were, overall, wonderful.

Here are a few items of interest.
1. The soprano who played the Queen of the Night was not perfect, and strained to hit some of the high notes in the Revenge Aria.
2. The bass that played Sarastro had a Russian name and his English was thickly accented, making it a bit difficult to understand and he too strained to hit the lowest notes.
3. Tamino was boring.
4. Pamina was lovely and her costume (guys) made her appear quite voluptuous.
5. Monastatos was hilarious. At one point he decides to give up on pursuing Pamina and go to pursue the Queen, then he flicked his tongue ala Gene Simmons of Kiss. Got a huge laugh from the audience.
6. Papageno stole the show. His singing and acting were tremendous.
7. My date told me, and I agreed, that the Soprano that played Pamina had a beautiful voice. Every note was perfect.

All in all, a nice evening. However, I don’t think I will go to see “The Magic Flute” again because the story is not my cup of tea.


Regards,
Tim B.

P.S. Whatever happened to the fellow that signed off his posts with "Papageno"?

[GreatCarouser]

So what's next in you bailiwick, tree...or tres...or whoever!!??

[treebeau]

Howdy,

Thanks for asking. This town has a very small number of performances. They put on only 2 operas per year, 6 months apart. Only 3 shows each.

Before the show, a woman came onstage and asked for donations. She announced next season's 2 operas. I want to see both. The first, and for the life of me I can't remember the name, is by Joe Green (Verdi). The second, a year from now, will be "La Cenerentola" by Rossini. I believe that is Cinderella. I like Rossini music very much and am familiar with the overture.

Regards,
Tim B.

[treebeau]

Bump !!

I saw "La Cenerentola" yesterday afternoon. As usual, the staging, lighting and costumes here were wonderful.
http://www.piedmontopera.org/cenerentola.html

"Don Magnifico" got the greatest applause.
"Clorinda" and "Thisbe" were wonderful HAMS and got great laughter for their shenanigans.


In 6 months the Piedmont Opera company is going to do Poochini's "La Boheme". Then in December Me-Naughty's "Amahl and the Night Visitors". And next April, Wolfie's "Cosi Fan Tutte".

Looking forward to the Puccini and Mozart. Not sure about the other.

Regards,
Tim B.

[piqaboo]

Amahl has some interesting music in it and its quite short. Go for it if the price is acceptable.
OT sang in it this past year (as a shepherd) which is the only time I've heard it (his rehearsal at home. Didnt get to the show).

You reminded me of something. San Diego audiences are a bit too free with standing ovations.
I was gratified to see in Carmen that they held off til Marina (Carmen) came on stage. I still think it was a bit too free, but then, I'm a demanding sort.

Next up for me is The Magic Flute with Zandra Rhoades sets and costumes. This production was done here about 6-7 years ago and sold out muy pronto quickly. I know nothing of the performers, yet. OT just started rehearsals last night, so in a week or so I'll get my preview of the principals!

[treebeau]

Isn't "Don Giovanni" the same as "Don Juan?"
And is it true that if you've seen Juan you've seen Amahl?

Regards,
Tim "rim shot" B.