in the lobby,
sending their
rich scent
in all directions!
The Lucas Theatre
was dressed for
an evening of
fancy music
and the children
were dressed in
fine clothes
adorned with lace
and satin sashes!
So why were we were all gathered together?
And why is part of a Queen lyric serving as the title?
The lyric is from one of my favorite songs on "A Night At The Opera" -
and that album title is the event tonight!
Opera stars had combined their talents in a fundraiser for the Savannah Childrens' Choir. What a fabulous event! The artists had selected their favorite pieces to present not only to us, but also to the future opera listeners: the many children in the audience!
Such a well-behaved group of children, too! Perhaps they could teach manners to the 'grown-ups' who were at last night's show?
(smile)
What pieces did they choose?
Melissa Zapin, a soprano, sang "O mio babbino caro", from "Gianni Schicchi", the one-act Puccini comedy performed at the Savannah Music Festival. Divine!
She and the mezzo soprano, Sandra Piques Eddy, performed the popular Flower Duet, "Viens, Mallika...dôme épais la jasmin" from "Lakmé", written by 'Delibes, a one-hit wonder'.
(Hey, that's what was written in the children's portion of the program, in which descriptions of the songs and operas were encapsulated for their interest. Quite handy descriptions for adults, too! There were also fun activities for between songs!)
Why did I call that one popular? Give it a listen - I'm sure you'll recognize it from commercials and movie soundtracks. I did!
Sandra also gave us two songs from Bizet's "Carmen" - hooray! The first was the oh-so-flirty "Habanero", also known as "L'amour est un oiseau rebelle", from this former middle school choir teacher. Ooh la la!
Then, she pairs up with the tenor, Alok Kumar, for "C'est toi? C'est moi!", in which the two former lovers meet again, with disastrous consequences. Honestly, it was like watching a short film, enacted live onstage, and we all know how I love those!
Alok performed another Bizet piece with a baritone, Igor Vieira. A song of everlasting friendship, "Au fond du temple saint" is also known as "The Pearlfishers Duet". It is a tale of two men vowing to remain friends in spite of their love of the same woman, an abbess.
Igor also sang an aria, "O vin, dissipe la tristesse". In that song, Thomas' Hamlet openly beseeches the wine to dispel his sadness, while in secret he searches out his father's killer. Serious business wrapped in the song of a drunkard! Well done, sir!
I'll remark on one more song by Igor, another duet, this time with Keith Miller, the Guest Artistic Director of the Savannah Childrens' Choir this year. The duet, "Restate!!...Presso alla mia persona", is between a soldier and his king, respectively of tonight's singers, from Verdi's five-act grand opera, "Don Carlo".
Keith sang another duet, this time with Melissa. It's all about a "Love Potion No. 9", known here as Donizetti's "L'elisir d'amore". The two in the song, "Quanto amore!", are both talkin' 'bout love, but one recommends a drug and the other says her face is her attractant. Funny piece!
One last thing about Keith Miller. This football-player-cum-opera-hunk first started singing after he saw "The Phantom of the Opera" with his girlfriend. True, and quite marvelous, story! My guess is that was his first opera experience. Brava to his paramour for dragging him off for an evening of culture!
One last performer! Roger Moss, co-founder of the Savannah Childrens' Choir, lent his baritone to a "Porgy and Bess" number, "It take a long pull to get there". He was joined in that endeavor by the children, both onstage and scattered throughout the audience. Not quite a flash mob, but pretty close, and good fun for all!
I do so love musicals, so of course I love opera!
It's all music, all the time!
the singers, and
their supporters,
for a reception
by Joe's Homemade.
So very nice!
Tomato sandwiches!
Asparagus wraps!
Shrimp corncakes!
Boozy mini BLT with
reindeer antlers!
(smile!)
For dessert?
Chocolates from
Adam Turoni!
Such a very nice night!
Now, I'm off to join the peace Guy, and other friends, at the screening of "Serenity", starring that luscious Nathan Fillion, around the corner.
What a grand Saturday night in Savannah!
Opera and sci-fi in the same evening!
No comments:
Post a Comment