Tonight NE Branch Library Seattle Opera Preview Lecture

Tonight at 6pm, the NE Branch (6801 35th Avenue NE) of the Seattle Public Library will host a Seattle Opera Preview Lecture of Bizet’s “Carmen."
The information says:

Join Theodore Deacon for an entertaining preview lecture of Bizet’s thriller about an everyday soldier’s ill-fated obsession with the ultimate femme fatale is the iconic opera. Featuring an unrivaled procession of hit melodies, Bizet’s lavish score brims with brilliant orchestration. Moving like a runaway train from its rousing overture to the tour-de-force finale, Carmen packs all the vibrancy and volatility of a bullfight into an irresistible theatrical event.

The event is free and no RSVP is required. Go here for more information.

Preview Lecture of "Madame Butterfly" Tonight At Northeast Public Library

Tonight at 7pm the Seattle Opera will preview their upcoming production of Puccini's "Madame Butterfly"at the Northeast Branch of the Seattle Public Library (6801 35th Avenue NE).
The information says:

Join us for an entertaining and insightful  preview lecture presented by Seattle Opera Education Department staff. 

In "Madame Butterfly," a Japanese maiden catches the fancy of a caddish American Naval officer, crosses cultural boundaries to become his bride and grapples with a serious dilemma while faithfully awaiting his return.
Puccini’s story of tradition, romance, yearning and sacrifice has been a beloved opera world-wide for over a century.

The production starts next month at the Opera House and is in Italian with English subtitles.

(photo courtesy of SPL)

Free Opera Preview Tonight At The Northeast Branch Library

The Northeast Branch of the Seattle Public Library is having a free preview lecture of Seattle Opera’s upcoming production of Christoph Willibald Gluck's "Orpheus and Eurydice,"  presented by the Seattle Opera Education Department staff. from 6-7:30pm.

The information says:

Gluck’s sumptuous and exhilarating account of the legendary Greek hero’s descent into the underworld to rescue his true love changed the course of musical storytelling forever. With its perfectly crafted libretto and generous helping of music -- choral passages, ballets, duets and the hero’s famous lament -- Orpheus conveys a timeless message of love’s power to triumph over all.

The opera runs from February 25th to March 10th at the Seattle Opera House, and is in French with English subtitles.

Seattle Opera Preview of Gershwin's " Porgy and Bess" at the Northeast Library On Wednesday

The Northeast Branch (6801 35th Avenue NE) of the Seattle Public Library is holding a preview of Seattle Opera’s upcoming production of Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess on Wednesday from 6:30-7:30.

The description of the opera says:
Gershwin’s portrait of life and love on Catfish Row boasts some of the most beloved songs ever written, including "Summertime," "I Got Plenty O' Nuttin," "I Loves You, Porgy," and "It Ain't Necessarily So."

Richly drawn characters experience real-life emotions in this one-of-a-kind masterpiece that combines action, humor, romance, struggle, and celebration to distill something universal about the American experience.

The show runs from July 30-August 20th at the Seattle Opera.  For more information about the show go here.

(photo courtesy of Opera website)

Seattle Opera Preview Of "The Magic Flute" At The Northeast Library Tonight

Tonight from 6:30-7:30 the Seattle Opera will preview their upcoming production of Mozart's "The Magic Flute" at the Northeast Library (6801 35th Avenue NE).

The website says:
Mozart's talent shines in this masterfully-diverse mix of popular tunes, stately choruses and show-stopping coloratura display. The imaginative entertainment of "The Magic Flute" blends myth, magic, and an extraordinary variety of wonderful music to deliver the life-affirming message: love conquers all.

This is a free event at the library and no reservations are required.

The Opera runs from May 7- May 21 at McCaw Hall. For more information and tickets go here.

Seattle Opera Preview of "Don Quixote" Tomorrow Night at the Northeast Branch Library

The Northeast Library Branch (6801 35th Avenue NE) of the Seattle Public Library, is having a preview tomorrow from 6:30-7:30pm of Seattle Opera's upcoming production of Jules Massenet's "Don Quixote."

"One of literature’s most iconic characters takes the Seattle Opera stage for the first time ever in this retelling of Cervantes’ classic novel. French Romantic master Jules Massenet’s lyrical ode to the chivalrous idealist includes lively Iberian instrumentation, flirtatious serenades, and a profoundly poignant finale, the Library website says.

This event is free and registration is not required.

"Don Quixote" runs February 26th to March 12th at the Seattle Opera. For more information and tickets go here.

Free Family Friendly Opera Performace At the Community Center on Saturday

Watershed Opera, a new local company started by Jordan Wentworth and her husband, is excited about performing at our Community Center on Saturday at 3pm for a Family Friendly Holiday Opera.

Jordan and her husband just moved to Seattle from New York City and told us they stumbled upon the Laurelhurst Community Center on a recent neighborhood walk and told us they thought it would make a lovely recital venue..
 
They said, "We have a shoe-string budget, a wealth of imagination, and are determined to bring great opera to the community."

Saturday's performace will include short scenes from Carmen, Rigoletto, Barber of Seville and the Marriage of Figaro which will be presented using storytelling humor and opera to engage the audience.

"The way our recitals are set up is so much fun. We explain each scene, and encourage audience participation," Jordan told us.

There will also be a sing-a-long in which Adrian Oh, a baritone, who also sings with the Seattle Opera Guild, will teach the audience the Toreador (bull fighter) Song from Carmen  as well as sing some Christmas and Chanukah Songs.


Jordan said they welcome families, opera aficionados, and those who are completely new to opera.

"This will be a fun, energetic show. The intense opera scenes are mixed with light hearted scenes to give younger audiences a taste of the range of operatic themes," Jordan said.

The free performance is approximately 45 minutes long including 15 to 20 minutes of sing a long..
 


 

Free Preview of Seattle Opera's "Amelia" Tonight at the NE Library

Once again the Seattle Public Library is hosting a preview of  an upcoming opera at the Seattle Opera.

This time from 6:30-7:30pm you can preview "the world-premiere production of Seattle Opera's newly-commissioned opera, 'Amelia'" as the SPL website says.

There will be a preview lecture presented by Theodore Deacon for the Seattle Opera Guild.


The description about the opera says:

A first time mother-to-be, whose psyche has been scarred by the loss of her pilot-father in Vietnam, must break free from anxiety to embrace healing and renewal for the sake of her husband and child in this original story unfolding over a 30-year period beginning in 1966. "Amelia" interweaves one woman's emotional journey, the American experience in Vietnam, and elements of the Daedalus and Icarus myth to explore man's fascination with flight and the dilemmas that arise when vehicles of flight are used for exploration, adventure, and war.

"Amelia" is a new American opera created by Daron Hagen, Gardner McFall, and Stephen Wadsworth. The performance includes a libretto written by American poet Gardner McFall ("The Pilot's Daughter"), whose father was a Navy pilot lost during Vietnam.
 
The event is being held at the NE Branch of the Library.
 
Everyone is welcome and registration is not required.
 
The opera begins May 8 at the Opera House and tickets can be purchased here.
 
(picture courtsey of SPL)

Free Opera Preview Tomorrow Night at NE Library

Tomorrow, Tuesday night from 6:30-7:30, the NE Seattle Library branch will host a preview of "Falstaff" by Giuseppe Verdi with Theodore Deacon from the Seattle Opera Guild accompanied by recorded music from the opera.

"This is a comic opera based on Shakespeare's characters, in which sweet young lovers are married, and the merry wives of Windsor unite in mischief-making when an ignoble nobleman plots to plunder their savings," the website says.

Registration is not required. Doors will open 15 minutes before the program.

The preview is also being shown at other Seattle branch libraries.

Seattle Opera performs the operas at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall, 312 Mercer St.

Go here for a complete 2009/2010 opera season schedule or call (206) 389-7600.