Opening tonight is Oberlin Opera Theater's spring production of La Clemenza di Tito
Wednesday, March 16; Friday, March 18; and Saturday, March 19, 2011, 8 p.m.
Sunday, March 20, 2011, 2 p.m.
All performances take place in Hall Auditorium. Tickets may be purchased by visiting www.oberlin.edu/arseries or calling 800-371-0178.
Niels Muus, conductor
Jonathon Field, director
An opera in two acts by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, with a libretto by Metastasio, La Clemenza di Tito features a rich plot of murder, mayhem, and love during the Roman Empire. Set to Mozart’s ravishing score, La Clemenza di Tito is a must-see event for opera and music lovers alike. The scheming but wounded Vitellia is plotting to overthrow the emperor Tito, who seized the throne from her father—he also happens to be her unrequited love. Deceptions run high as Vitellia manipulates affections and comes up against forces of good and evil. In one of the last operas of his career, Mozart captures the essence of powerful emotions such as love and jealousy, and how they survive in tumultuous societies.
Hall Auditorium
67 North Main Street
Oberlin, OH 44074
Showing posts with label opera. Show all posts
Showing posts with label opera. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Oberlin Opera Theater Winter Term Performances
Oberlin Opera Theater has two fabulous Winter Term productions coming up! In true Oberlin style, it's free admission to both of these fully staged productions.
On February 3rd & 5th The Turn Of The Screw by Benjamin Britten will be performed in Finney Chapel at 8pm.
On February 4th & 6th Exercises de Style by Jose Evangelista will be performed in Warner Concert Hall. Performance times are February 4th at 8pm and 10pm; February 6th at 2pm and 4pm.
Finney Chapel
90 North Professor Street
Oberlin, OH 44074
Warner Concert Hall
Oberlin Conservatory of Music
77 West College Street
Oberlin, OH 44074
On February 3rd & 5th The Turn Of The Screw by Benjamin Britten will be performed in Finney Chapel at 8pm.
On February 4th & 6th Exercises de Style by Jose Evangelista will be performed in Warner Concert Hall. Performance times are February 4th at 8pm and 10pm; February 6th at 2pm and 4pm.
Finney Chapel
90 North Professor Street
Oberlin, OH 44074
Warner Concert Hall
Oberlin Conservatory of Music
77 West College Street
Oberlin, OH 44074
Friday, November 5, 2010
Oberlin Opera Theater presents The Bartered Bride
A comic opera in three acts by Bedřich Smetana, with a libretto by Karel Sabina, directed by Jonathon Field, Associate Professor of Opera Theater and guest conducted by Christopher Larkin.
Are ambitious parents and manipulative marriage brokers any match for young, determined love? This comic tale by Czech composer Bedřich Smetana puts traditional folk dances in this story of his people. Marzenka, the daughter of rich peasants, is in love with Jenik, but her parents have arranged a marriage for her and the foppish Vasek. Employing all manner of clever tricks and hilarious miscommunications, Jenik strives against all odds to gain Marzenka’s hand in marriage. Set in a small Czech town with authentic costumes, with its enduring and classic message of true love's resilience, The Bartered Bride will charm the hearts of opera and music fans.
Performances are Wednesday, November 17; Friday, November 19; and Saturday, November 20 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, November 21 at 2 p.m. Tickets may be purchased by contacting Central Ticket Service at 440.775.8169.
Hall Auditorium
67 North Main Street
Oberlin, OH 44074
Monday, January 25, 2010
Two Classic American Operas in Oberlin
On Saturday, January 30th, members of the Oberlin winter-term operas will perform two classic American operas: Gian Carlo Menotti’s The Medium and Leonard Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti. The operas will be presented as a double-bill on one night only, Saturday, January 30, at 8 p.m. in Oberlin’s Finney Chapel. There will be a 15-minute intermission between the two operas.
Admission is free and no tickets are required. Finney Chapel is wheelchair accessible and free parking is available throughout the Oberlin campus.
From the press release:
The operas are produced by Jonathon Field, Oberlin’s director of opera theater, under the auspices of Oberlin College’s Winter Term Committee and with the support of Oberlin Opera Theater. Field is director of The Medium; Alan Montgomery is conductor of the pit orchestra, a chamber ensemble featuring Oberlin Conservatory students. Joseph Stepec, a junior in the conservatory, takes the baton for Trouble in Tahiti, which is directed by Scott Skiba ’03.
Field paired The Medium and Trouble in Tahiti to highlight what he calls the “rhythm of the American experience.” Both operas incorporate music unique to American culture: the old-fashioned waltz and folk music of The Medium and the modern pop music of television commercials and swing bands of Trouble in Tahiti. Together, explains Field, these operas present the “dark and light side of American culture.”
The Medium, originally a two-act operatic tragedy by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Gian Carlo Menotti (The Consul, The Saint of Bleecker Street), is condensed into one act in Field’s production. In it, a faux psychic, Madame Flora, her daughter, Monica, and a mute servant boy from Budapest, Toby, fake séances to cheat families desperately seeking to connect with their deceased loved ones. The tables are turned against Madame Flora when she begins to hear a phantom voice unnoticed by anyone else; she loses her grip on reality as she searches hysterically for the source.
Nine-time Grammy Award winner Leonard Bernstein, composer of such musical treasures as West Side Story, On the Town, and Candide (which will be staged in March 2010 by the Oberlin Opera Theater) wrote Trouble as a one-act opera about an average family in an anonymous 1950s suburb. Husband Sam and wife Dinah seek reconciliation for their troubled marriage but are continuously peeved by one another’s habitual annoyances, reflected in antagonistic actions. By contrast, a cheerful chorus reveals Dinah and Sam’s unspoken desires for a life that reflects the harmonious and romantic storyline of the feature film Trouble in Tahiti.
Principal roles in The Medium will be played by Kate Rosen (Madame Flora), Hilary Sample (Monica), Amalia Goldberg (Mrs. Gobineau), Malachi Kanfer (Mr. Gobineau), and Shannon Rieke (Mrs. Nolan). Principal roles in Trouble in Tahiti will be played by Meris Gadaleto (Dinah) and Alex Boyd (Sam); Danielle Lombardi, Matthew Brewer, and Paul Whitsett will play the Trio.
Admission is free and no tickets are required. Finney Chapel is wheelchair accessible and free parking is available throughout the Oberlin campus.
From the press release:
The operas are produced by Jonathon Field, Oberlin’s director of opera theater, under the auspices of Oberlin College’s Winter Term Committee and with the support of Oberlin Opera Theater. Field is director of The Medium; Alan Montgomery is conductor of the pit orchestra, a chamber ensemble featuring Oberlin Conservatory students. Joseph Stepec, a junior in the conservatory, takes the baton for Trouble in Tahiti, which is directed by Scott Skiba ’03.
Field paired The Medium and Trouble in Tahiti to highlight what he calls the “rhythm of the American experience.” Both operas incorporate music unique to American culture: the old-fashioned waltz and folk music of The Medium and the modern pop music of television commercials and swing bands of Trouble in Tahiti. Together, explains Field, these operas present the “dark and light side of American culture.”
The Medium, originally a two-act operatic tragedy by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Gian Carlo Menotti (The Consul, The Saint of Bleecker Street), is condensed into one act in Field’s production. In it, a faux psychic, Madame Flora, her daughter, Monica, and a mute servant boy from Budapest, Toby, fake séances to cheat families desperately seeking to connect with their deceased loved ones. The tables are turned against Madame Flora when she begins to hear a phantom voice unnoticed by anyone else; she loses her grip on reality as she searches hysterically for the source.
Nine-time Grammy Award winner Leonard Bernstein, composer of such musical treasures as West Side Story, On the Town, and Candide (which will be staged in March 2010 by the Oberlin Opera Theater) wrote Trouble as a one-act opera about an average family in an anonymous 1950s suburb. Husband Sam and wife Dinah seek reconciliation for their troubled marriage but are continuously peeved by one another’s habitual annoyances, reflected in antagonistic actions. By contrast, a cheerful chorus reveals Dinah and Sam’s unspoken desires for a life that reflects the harmonious and romantic storyline of the feature film Trouble in Tahiti.
Principal roles in The Medium will be played by Kate Rosen (Madame Flora), Hilary Sample (Monica), Amalia Goldberg (Mrs. Gobineau), Malachi Kanfer (Mr. Gobineau), and Shannon Rieke (Mrs. Nolan). Principal roles in Trouble in Tahiti will be played by Meris Gadaleto (Dinah) and Alex Boyd (Sam); Danielle Lombardi, Matthew Brewer, and Paul Whitsett will play the Trio.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Opera Cleveland, Don Giovanni and Alumni
Opera Cleveland's production of Don Giovanni had quite a successful run (if I do say so myself!). The final performance had a nearing capacity crowd - so perhaps opera isn't dead after all!
It was my first opera with Opera Cleveland, and I had a blast. It was also great getting to know other Obies involved in the production, including Alyson Cambridge '01, who gorgeously sang (and acted) the role of Donna Elvira; Charles Griffith '60, plying his trade in the pit on cello; Patrick Wickliffe '05, who helped the chorus get into note-perfect shape; and Christian Behrens '09 (not pictured), who also joined us in the pit as a harbinger of death on trombone. (Did you know that whenever trombones are heard, it usually signals impending death, at least in operas written before 1810?)
It was my first opera with Opera Cleveland, and I had a blast. It was also great getting to know other Obies involved in the production, including Alyson Cambridge '01, who gorgeously sang (and acted) the role of Donna Elvira; Charles Griffith '60, plying his trade in the pit on cello; Patrick Wickliffe '05, who helped the chorus get into note-perfect shape; and Christian Behrens '09 (not pictured), who also joined us in the pit as a harbinger of death on trombone. (Did you know that whenever trombones are heard, it usually signals impending death, at least in operas written before 1810?)
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
November Newsletter
For some reason, it appears that the November e-newsletter hasn't gone out as I thought it would. I will check on that Thursday morning, when the Alumni Association Office re-opens. For now, here are the parts of the newsletter that haven't already appeared on the blog!
As a quick reminder, don't forget about the Fall Potluck on Saturday, November 14th at 7pm. Click here for more information and to RSVP. Or scroll down the blog to the Fall Potluck posting!
Ultimate Brownies, mentioned before on this blog, was named Best of Cleveland by the Cleveland Magazine! Ultimate Brownies is run by Diana Dumitru '90. She is still campaigning to win on the Fox8 Hotlist as Best of Cleveland. Go here to vote. The contest ends November 13, 2009.
An event with the Cleveland Orchestra is in the works for Friday, December 18th. We are hoping to have a reception before the concert and be joined by some of the alumni who are members of the orchestra. Please stay tuned for more information!
As usual, much is happening on-campus. The following is just a very small selection of events - check out the Events Calendar for complete listings.
On Friday, November 6 at 8pm in Finney Chapel, concerto competition winner and Oberlin senior pianist Siyuan Li will perform Saint-Saëns' Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Oberlin Orchestra, conducted by Bridget-Michaele Reischl, Music Director of the Oberlin Orchestras. The program also includes three ballet works: Beethoven's Overture to Prometheus, a suite from Ravel's Daphnis et Chloé, and Georges Auric's Phèdre.
On Saturday, November 7 at 3pm in Hallock Auditorium at the Adam Joseph Lewis Center, Josh Neufeld OC '89 will be discussing his just published book "AD: New Orleans after the Deluge," a graphic memoir that grew from his experiences as a Red Cross volunteer in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Josh will introduce the book in relation to his other work, touching on his background as an alternative cartoonist, including his work with Harvey Pekar’s American Splendor. Then he'll talk about how the A.D. project evolved from his volunteer experience, his conception of A.D., its use of multimedia elements, and particularly the artistic/visual decisions he made when creating it. After this presentation, Josh will be joined by Kwame Webster, a current Oberlin student who is in the book, and Caroline Jackson Smith, Associate Professor of Theater and African American Studies, who will moderate a discussion between Josh and Kwame about their perspectives on the issues raised by the the book. The presentation will also give the audience a chance to ask questions, and will end with a book-signing.
The fall Oberlin Opera Theater production of Così fan tutte by W. A. Mozart opens on November 18 at 8pm in Hall Auditorium, with additional performances on November 20, 21 and 22. The opera is conducted by Meastra Reischl and directed by Jonathon Field. The Oberlin Chamber Orchestra will be playing in the pit. Hall Auditorium is located at 67 North Main Street. Tickets range from $5 to $12 and are available from the Central Ticket Service, at 800.371.0178 or at the box office in the auditorium lobby.
On Thursday, December 3 at 5pm, Erik Inglis, Professor of Art, will present a lecture entitled “The Stars above Paris: Monuments to François Arago, the greatest astronomer in 19th-century France.” In conjunction with the “Starry Dome” exhibition, Professor Inglis will lecture on monuments to Francois Arago, a renowned astronomer in France in the 19th century and the subject of a major 1994 Parisian monument by the Dutch conceptual artist Jan Dibbets.
This lecture will take place in Classroom 1 of the Allen Memorial Art Building, which is located at 87 North Main Street, Oberlin, OH.
The Oberlin Orchestra returns to the Finney Chapel stage on Sunday, December 6 at 8pm to present Mahler's monumental Symphony No. 2 ("Resurrection") in partnership with the Musical Union Chorus, directed by Associate Professor of Choral Conducting Hugh Floyd. The 80- to 90-minute work, with its inspiring choral finale, is the only piece on the program.
The fall season concludes with a concert on Tuesday, December 8 at 8pm, in Finney Chapel, by the Oberlin Chamber Orchestra. The program includes a performance by concerto competition winner and Oberlin violinist Chingis Khannanov. Khannanov, an artist diploma student, will perform Paganini's virtuosic Violin Concerto No. 1, Op. 6. The concert also features Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 and Schumann's Symphony No. 2.
As a quick reminder, don't forget about the Fall Potluck on Saturday, November 14th at 7pm. Click here for more information and to RSVP. Or scroll down the blog to the Fall Potluck posting!
Ultimate Brownies, mentioned before on this blog, was named Best of Cleveland by the Cleveland Magazine! Ultimate Brownies is run by Diana Dumitru '90. She is still campaigning to win on the Fox8 Hotlist as Best of Cleveland. Go here to vote. The contest ends November 13, 2009.
An event with the Cleveland Orchestra is in the works for Friday, December 18th. We are hoping to have a reception before the concert and be joined by some of the alumni who are members of the orchestra. Please stay tuned for more information!
As usual, much is happening on-campus. The following is just a very small selection of events - check out the Events Calendar for complete listings.
On Friday, November 6 at 8pm in Finney Chapel, concerto competition winner and Oberlin senior pianist Siyuan Li will perform Saint-Saëns' Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Oberlin Orchestra, conducted by Bridget-Michaele Reischl, Music Director of the Oberlin Orchestras. The program also includes three ballet works: Beethoven's Overture to Prometheus, a suite from Ravel's Daphnis et Chloé, and Georges Auric's Phèdre.
On Saturday, November 7 at 3pm in Hallock Auditorium at the Adam Joseph Lewis Center, Josh Neufeld OC '89 will be discussing his just published book "AD: New Orleans after the Deluge," a graphic memoir that grew from his experiences as a Red Cross volunteer in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Josh will introduce the book in relation to his other work, touching on his background as an alternative cartoonist, including his work with Harvey Pekar’s American Splendor. Then he'll talk about how the A.D. project evolved from his volunteer experience, his conception of A.D., its use of multimedia elements, and particularly the artistic/visual decisions he made when creating it. After this presentation, Josh will be joined by Kwame Webster, a current Oberlin student who is in the book, and Caroline Jackson Smith, Associate Professor of Theater and African American Studies, who will moderate a discussion between Josh and Kwame about their perspectives on the issues raised by the the book. The presentation will also give the audience a chance to ask questions, and will end with a book-signing.
The fall Oberlin Opera Theater production of Così fan tutte by W. A. Mozart opens on November 18 at 8pm in Hall Auditorium, with additional performances on November 20, 21 and 22. The opera is conducted by Meastra Reischl and directed by Jonathon Field. The Oberlin Chamber Orchestra will be playing in the pit. Hall Auditorium is located at 67 North Main Street. Tickets range from $5 to $12 and are available from the Central Ticket Service, at 800.371.0178 or at the box office in the auditorium lobby.
On Thursday, December 3 at 5pm, Erik Inglis, Professor of Art, will present a lecture entitled “The Stars above Paris: Monuments to François Arago, the greatest astronomer in 19th-century France.” In conjunction with the “Starry Dome” exhibition, Professor Inglis will lecture on monuments to Francois Arago, a renowned astronomer in France in the 19th century and the subject of a major 1994 Parisian monument by the Dutch conceptual artist Jan Dibbets.
This lecture will take place in Classroom 1 of the Allen Memorial Art Building, which is located at 87 North Main Street, Oberlin, OH.
The Oberlin Orchestra returns to the Finney Chapel stage on Sunday, December 6 at 8pm to present Mahler's monumental Symphony No. 2 ("Resurrection") in partnership with the Musical Union Chorus, directed by Associate Professor of Choral Conducting Hugh Floyd. The 80- to 90-minute work, with its inspiring choral finale, is the only piece on the program.
The fall season concludes with a concert on Tuesday, December 8 at 8pm, in Finney Chapel, by the Oberlin Chamber Orchestra. The program includes a performance by concerto competition winner and Oberlin violinist Chingis Khannanov. Khannanov, an artist diploma student, will perform Paganini's virtuosic Violin Concerto No. 1, Op. 6. The concert also features Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 and Schumann's Symphony No. 2.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Opera Cleveland presents Don Giovanni
Oooh, it's been a bit since I last updated, hasn't it? My apologies! The very thing that I'm posting about is the very thing that has been preventing me from posting!
Opera Cleveland's fall production of Don Giovanni stars Alyson Cambridge '01 in the role of Donna Elvira. Alyson is a frequent guest of the Metropolitan Opera, having made her debut in 2004 under the baton of James Levine as Frasquita in Carmen. She has also sung with Washington National Opera, Atlanta Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, Los Angeles Opera, Opera Theatre of St. Louis and Wolf Trap Opera, to name but a few.
A number of other Obies are involved in the production, including Kira McGirr '06 (your very own Regional Coordinator), women's chorus; Patrick Wickliffe '05, Assistant Chorus Master; Charles Griffith '60, cello; and Christian Behrens '09, trombone.
Under the stage direction of John Hoomes and the set design of Kris Stone, modernity and tradition come together in a visually arresting production, with characters in period costume juxtaposed with strikingly abstract modern sets. Experience Moxart's masterpiece as you never have before!
The final performance is Saturday, November 7th at 8pm. For more information about the opera and tickets, please visit Opera Cleveland or contact the Playhouse Square ticket office at 866-546-1353.
Photographs taken by Eric Mull.
Click here to see Donald Rosenberg's review for The Plain Dealer
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