Don Giovanni

GENERAL INFORMATION

View Date and Location:
4 Nov 2018 at the Harrison Opera House in Norfolk, VA

Premiere Date: 29 Oct 1787 in Prague
Language: Italian
Composer: Mozart

Virginia Opera:
Director: Lillian Groag
Conductor: Adam Turner

STORYLINE

This is a two-act opera written by Mozart that is based on the legends of Don Juan, a fictional seducer of women. 

MY REVIEW

What I really love about the Harrison and the Virginia Opera is that before every performance is a 30 minute introduction to the themes and music and a little lesson about the opera itself. That really makes the music more enjoyable. There is a sense of understanding that you get when you can hear the music beforehand and know that when you hear a certain piece, to watch for something. Love this!

This was a well directed and well performed opera. Don't get me wrong, I know that the opera is ABOUT Don Giovanni (Tobias Greenhalgh), so he is the star, but the star for me was Leporello (Zachary Altman) He played the Don's servant with such a sense of humor that it was fun to watch him. He stole the stage for me.

I do identify with Donna Elvira (Sarah Larsen) as she is not only seduced once, but falls for his sweet words over and over again. I get it.

I was dismayed with the supertitles at the Harrison. That's the small screen that is displayed for the non-Italian speakers. My Italian was good enough to keep up, so it wasn't that bad for me!

Midsomer Night's Dream

GENERAL INFORMATION

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Girl fo the Golden West

GENERAL INFORMATION

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Samson and Delilah

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Der Freischütz

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La Boheme

GENERAL INFORMATION

View Date and Location:  10 November 2015

Premiere Date: Turin Italy on 1 Feb 1896 at the Regio Theater.
Language: Italian
Composer: Giacomo Puccini
Director: Kyle Lang

REVIEWS

MY RATING: 9

STORYLINE

The opera tells the story of a love affair between a poor poet and an equally poor seamstress in 19th century Paris. The opera is based on a book by Henri Murger called Scenes from Bohemian Life (French: Scènes de la vie de bohème).

MY REVIEW

This was a touching story. Mimi and Rodolfo were perfect. This compelling and tragic romance is one that was doomed from the beginning but still needed to be told.

This is everything that an opera should be in one single event. Its emotional. It's musically romantic. It's just perfect. I think the Virginia Opera did an amazing job with the two leads that we cast to play Mimi and Rodolfo. Soprano Elaine Alvarez bring a superb performance with her smooth rustic voice and a sad love for Rodolfo, played by tenor Jason Slaydon who epitomized the clumsy love-lorn poet. Watching his heartbreak on the stage was almost surreal. I actually found myself shedding a few tears at some points. That was the true piece for me when I realized how MUCH I was feeling this story.

I am a true believe in the work of Puccini.

Orpheus in the Underworld

GENERAL INFORMATION

View Date and Location: 27 September 2015 at the Harrison Opera House in Norfolk, VA

Premiere Date: 21 October 1858 at the Theater des Boufffes-Parisiens in Paris, France
Language:
Composer: Jacques Offenbach
Director: Sam Helfrich

REVIEWS

MY RATING: 10

STORYLINE

There is a little difference between the rulers of heaven and hades, Orpheus has no interest in rescuing his wife Eurydice, whom he really just does not like, and the phrase "go to hell" is usually a cause for rejoicing. Her sudden death while having an affair with a handsome Acadian bring s the pair to hell, where all meats are roasted and all the guests are toasted. 

MY REVIEW

The snappy and sassy retelling of the Orpheus story by the Virginia was much needed. The original Offenbach story was a little dull and the little hints of fun that Helfrich brings are much appreciated. I loved the risqué nature of the "devils" and they did get the best songs and production numbers!

What I DID LIKE about this movie:

• COSTUME DESIGN- this was likely my most favorite part of the whole opera. The costuming was a never-ending smorgasbord of amazing dress and a half-cocked circus. Loved this so much.
• DIRECTION- Master piece!
• SET DESIGN- Just look at that backdrop! It was sexual and sensual and really made sense with the story. The "songbird" that was a mix of heaven and hell was my favorite part.

Rigoletto

GENERAL INFORMATION

View Date and Location: 30 Jan 2013 Live from the Metropolitan Opera House

Premiere Date: Venice, Italy 11 March 1851
Language: Italian
Composer: Giuseppe Verdi
Director: Michael Mayer

REVIEWS

MY RATING: 8

STORYLINE

Originally set in 16th century Mantova, Italy in the house of the Duke. Rigoletto is a jester in the Duke's court. The Duke is a ladies man who feels meaningless if he can't chase women. He's got eyes for young Gilda, the daughter of Rigoletto. There are curses, more affairs,  and finally to humiliate Rogoletto, the Duke and his entourage kidnap Gilda. Rigoletto hires a thief, Sparafucile and his sister Maddalena, who he hires to murder the Duke. But, in a twist, Maddalena falls for the duke and begs her brother not to kill him but kill the first person home comes into the door. He says no but eventually agrees. It's Gilda who comes in and is nearly killed by Sparafucile who wraps her in a rug and delivers her to Rigoletto. Thinking he's gotten vengeance, he paddles to dispose of the body, then realizes it's his own daughter who is dying. Que heartbreaking song and she dies. Rigoletto's curse comes to pass.

MY REVIEW

I love Michael Mayers concept of setting Rigoletto in the decadent 50's Las Vegas. It was a real treat to see the showgirls and dancing suits looking a lot like the Rat Pack. I love that I got to sit in the theater with my good friend Lisa and really enjoy this Opera. Love love love!!