Opera Season in your neighbourhood

[Marye]

Opera Season is starting and I am thrilled about it... In Toronto Peter Grimes is the first opera I am to see. My question is in your neighbourhood opera house what is the first opera this season for you? Toronto is going to have Turandot, Rigoletto, Falstaff, Tosca, Die Walkure ... Great season for me...

[Nicole Marie]

We are starting with: The Barber of Seville
October 23 & 25, 8pm; Oct. 26, 2pm

Lucia di Lammermoor
March 25 & 27 2004, 8pm; March 28, 2pm

Rigoletto
April 29 & May1 2004, 8pm; May2, 2pm

Visit www.ctopera.com

[OperaTenor]

Here's the San Diego Opera 2004 season:

Turandot - 1/24, 1/27, 1/30, 2/1, 2/4

The Pearl Fishers - 2/14, 2/17, 2/20, 2/22

Don Carlos - 3/27, 3/30, 4/2, 4/4, 4/7

Katya Kabanova - 4/17, 4/20, 4/23, 4/25

La Traviata - 5/8, 5/11, 5/14, 5/16, 5/19

Read all about it at the San Diego Opera Home Page

If you check out the website, the photo of Turandot is from our 1997 production, which was my first opera with the SDO.

<small>[ 09-03-2003, 04:27 AM: Message edited by: operatenor ]</small>

[Marye]

I see, OT, that Russell Braun and Michael Schade are appearing in San Diego in February. Both Canadian Opera Company favourites I have seen a number of times in productions. Oedipus Rex and Billy Budd come readily to mind.

[bignaf]

I'll take SD's season over CT's. also they have better productions probably. (especially the tenor section in their chorus!!!)

[Angie Parkes]

Calgary Opera is doing Romeo & Juliet, Sweeney Todd, and Tales of Hoffman.

I'm prepared to admit that the tenor section in the SD opera is second to none, but myself, I'm partial to the first violins (one in particular) who play for the Calgary Opera.

[treebeau]

Next month will be "Tosca" here in little ol' Winston Salem. I am thinking of going. Never attended an opera before so it'll be a new experience.

Any pointers folks? Is a date suggested or required? Oh, what about the opera...good one or no?

Thanks and regards,
Tim B.

[Marye]

I loved Tosca.... and adore Puccini. But I love the Opera and have been going for 20 years.... since I was a wee girl... ahem.

[shostakovich]

I'm with Mary on this one. Tosca is a great opera. My advice, Tim, is read up on the story before you go. It's usually sung in a "furrin" language. Also, check out a disc of highlights from your local libe. Get somewhat familiar with them. A date is not required, but always a good idea. And don't expect the characters in an opera to behave like real people. Hope you enjoy the experience.
Shos

[OperaTenor]

Hi Tim, I think Shos is right on the money. Know the story before you go. The programs usually have an excellent synopsis in them, but that's a little last minute. If you have the 1990 Three Tenors CD/video, Recondita armonia and E lucevan le stelle are from Tosca, and will give you an idea of what to expect from the music, IMHO.

You can never go wrong with Puccini, once again, IMHO.


<small>[ 09-03-2003, 06:34 PM: Message edited by: operatenor ]</small>

[Marye]

Well OT... in response to "you can't go wrong with Puccini" I must admit that I wasn't overwhelmed with Girl of the Golden West, when I saw it - it was on the bill with Cavalaria Rusticana, which I preferred of the two because of that magnificient Easter Hymn. However, I defer to your greater knowledge on the subject of Puccini, if I must .

The COC has surtitles for their operas and, Tim, that makes it much better for someone new to the opera.

[Judybug]

The Fresno Grand Opera is performing Marriage of Fiagro in February 2004 and Aida in May 2004.

I've never been to an opera, though I've seen some on television and enjoyed them, We're considering buying season tickets this year.

[bignaf]

I'll second OT's sentiments: you can't go wrong with Puccini. but I think Tosca is probably the least balanced of his post-Manon operas. I like Fanciulla (girl) better. and Il Tabbaro is his most underrated.

[priya978]

Italian opera is the only kind!

LA opera is doing Madama Butterfly Feb/ March
Lucia Di Lammermorr, Die Frau ohne Schatten, Figaro, and il Travotore
( I want to see the Puccini and Verdi, but I'm goin to SD opera )

[shostakovich]

Big, what is "balance" in an opera?
Shos

[Selma in Sandy Eggo]

Originally posted by shostakovich:
Big, what is "balance" in an opera?
Shos

(a) the soprano not falling onto the tenor.
(b) the tenor not falling into the pit.
(c) the chorus not falling over the props.

Can you tell I've been exposed to junior theater?

Selma

[OperaTenor]

(d) The tenors singing and everyone else shuts up.

[Selma in Sandy Eggo]

Originally posted by operatenor:
(d) The tenors singing and everyone else shuts up.

:D Fell out of chair laughing, Now have hiccups. Sing louder, tenors! Sing louder!

[Nicole Marie]

If you dig opera and there seems to be several of you out there... Tune into Beethoven Radio this Sunday at 11 AM EST. Maestro Willie Anthony Waters of the CT Opera will host a show called "Looking through the Opera Glasses". The one hour show presents the best in opera. You do not have to know anything about opera to enjoy the show, Maestro Waters explains the examples and shares some great stories. Tune in this Sunday and the first Sunday of every month for Looking through the Opera Glasses.

[Marye]

I only listen to Beethoven radio at work and through my computer - no home computer (I am living on a sailboat at the moment) ... I am fairly certain I cannot receive, in Toronto at least, a U.S. radio station. At least I haven't tried to since 1968. So I cannot hear the programme you are referring to Nichole Marie.

How many attend the opera? As I said, I do and have done so for 20 years. OT, you must attend the opera on stage, yeh? Anyone else?

Tickets are expensive here, $85-100 a ticket I think. Canadian dollars though folks so that might be $15.00 to you