The San Francisco Opera Season has been the surprise of the summer. Usually in the past patrons expected the summer fare to be low-budget not very exciting productions. Wow! Things have sure changed with the super charged “The Pearl Fishers”. How cool is this Opera? So cool that even young dudes will enjoy the psychedelic colors on the set. Everything is vivid – the palm trees, the sun and the costumes. Some conquests take awhile, but the Pearl Fishers reel in the audience in an evening.
The Bizet opera takes place on an exotic Island that is steeped in tradition. Like all operas there is trust, betrayal, love and jealousy. In this quiet fishing village, best friends Zurga and Nadir take an oath of friendship, vowing to never let the love of a girl, Leila to come between them. Things, of course get very complicated when Leila is chosen to become the high priestess by the Elders of the Village. She has to vow never to show her face in public and not to mingle with the Village people. Basically she becomes a prisoner of religion. Maybe this might have worked out, but unfortunately Nadir and Leila cannot control their emotions. They are discovered by the High Priest in an uncompromising situation. He is outraged that they have deviled the Temple and orders them both to be killed.
Fishers was written in 1863 by Bizet and it is amazing how it has stood the test of time. The outstanding cast is absolutely wonderful as they bring special meaning to the melodic arias. The splendor never ends. There are half-naked men dancing and girls with ribbons twirling in sync. Even the lead, Nadir (tenor Charles Castronovo) is a bare-chested hunk. He is definitely not your fathers Opera Star of Old. The woman next to me with her binoculars couldn’t zoom him in close enough. Was she a desperate housewife? Nora Amsellem sings bare-bellied (hey, it’s an Island) and enraptured everyone from the Opera house to City Hall ablaze in lights across the street. Yes, her voice was that strong.
Even if you hate Opera you will find it hard to resist the gorgeous male duet “Aud fond dutemple.sain” sung by Castronovo and William Dazeley (as Zurga) Also, better than a coffee nip was the aria “Je crois endtendre encore.” It was a bravura stunning moment. One that you will not forget easily. Nothing will kick your keister like this. You’ll think your stock went up and split.
Here are the people who get the credit for this voluptuous, eye pleasing production. Conductor Sebastian Lang-Lessing, Mark Coles (High Priest), Zandra Rhodes for her pop out costume colors), Ron Vodicka (Lighting design) – extremely effective, John Malashock (a Choreographer) for the new world and the engaging direction by Andrew Sinclair. Now, stand up and lets hear it for the profound chorus. Bravo, Bravo, Bravo!
You still have time to see it. Performances on these dates: June 23, 26, July 3, July 6, and July 9. I strongly suggest that you see it.
RATING: FOUR GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE!!!!
Next Summer Opera “COSI FAN TUTTE”
HERE’S STUFF THAT WILL SAVE YOUR SOUL!
Desperately seeking new Plays. O.K – we’ve found some for you. The 28th Annual Bay Area Playwright Festival (July 29 – Aug. 7). In addition to staged readings of seven full-length plays, the festival includes an afternoon of short one-acts by Bay Area playwrights. Called BASH! (Bay Area Shorts), the four works were selected from among sixty submissions. Check out this list of winning full-length plays and playwrights. Michey Birnbaum, Bleed Rail, Mike Geither, Stars Fell All Night, Sarah Hammond, Green Girl, Brighde Mullins, Water Stories from the Mojave Dessert, Marisela Trevito Orta, Braided Sorrow and Peter Sinn Nachtrieb, Lamb & Jelly.
The winning BASH plays: Elizabeth Benedict, Jesue in Las Vegas, Kenyon Brown, Rearrange/Reinvent/Reconnect, Richard Talavera, Ten Shades of Magenta and Enrique Urueta, Learn to Be Latina. Play run through July 29 – August 7 at the Magic Theatre.
They’re looking for you. Well, maybe not you, but the San Francisco Girls Chorus has announced auditions in San Francisco and Oakland. They are looking for ages of 7 and 12. All are invited. No previous music experience is required for younger applicants. Auditions will take place on Sat. Aug 27 at the Mormon Temple on Lincoln Ave. in Oakland. Auditions must be scheduled in advance by appointment. Contact Julielle Damer at 415-863-1752, ext. 321, or email at jdame@sfgirlschorus.org.
IT HAD TO HAPPEN – BECAUSE IT’S A NATURAL. We’re talking “Purple” here. The super hit Spielberg movie “The Color Purple” has been made into a musical. It previewed recently in Atlanta to rave reviews. Now, it’s got a Theater in New York – and ready to go in the spring of 2006. This IS exciting news. The show reportedly blends “dance with the sounds and rhythms of blues, gospel, jazz, swing, rural roots and African music. The world premiere of The Color Purple (based on the Book by Alice Walker) was produced by Alliance theatre by special arrangement with Creative Battery and Scott Sanders Productions.
LET’S TALK ABOUT IT! Lee Hartgrave@hotmail.com
