The exciting world of opera is coming to the Haliburton Highlands this summer. During the month of August, the Highlands Summer Festival in conjunction with two of Canada’s outstanding members of the opera community, presents the Highlands Opera Studio.
Internationally reknown tenor Richard Margison and New York Metropolitan Opera Director Valerie Kuinka, are co-ordinating the Highlands Opera Studio, an intensive month of musical study and fabulous operatic performances.
In August seven aspiring opera singers will be studying their craft at the Highlands Opera Studio. Seasoned professionals will instruct them in voice, interpretation, language, movement and the many other skills that are required in the presentation of opera. During the month, the public will have a number of opportunities to watch the process unfold and get a glimpse into the exciting world of opera.
“Opera is often perceived as being inaccessible, confusing and perhaps elitist, even by those who regularly attend dramatic theatre,” Kuinka commented. The Opera Studio is hoping to break down some of those barriers and demolish some of those myths. “The Highlands Opera Studio will provide an opportunity for people who never thought of attending an opera to do so and find out ‘what all the noise is about’,” she said with a smile.
At the culmination of their three weeks of study, the Highlands Opera Studio participants will present two, one-act operas. “Both operas will be sung in English,” Kuinka explained. "Not untypical of opera story lines, these two delightful tales follow the path of exuberant lovers, whose dalliances lead to all sorts of complications. These are fun-filled romps with lots of great music along the way.” The two Operas are:
• DIE SCHÖNE GALATEE, (Fair Galatea) by Franz von Suppé: Pygmalion, a sculptor, creates a statue of a beautiful woman, Galatea, which the rich Mydas wants to buy. Pygmalion prays that Venus will bring the statue to life, but Galatea, as a living woman, causes turmoil by her behaviour and Pygmalion’s prayer for the reversal of the miracle is answered. Galatea is turned again to stone, with the jewels that Mydas had given her. If he wishes to retain his valuable necklace, Mydas will now have to purchase the statue.
• L’HEURE ESPAGNOLE (The Spanish Hour) by Ravel: It is the clockmaker Torque-mada’
These one-act operas will be presented each evening at the Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavilion, Saturday August 25, Monday August 27 and Wednesday, August 27, at 8 p.m.
“We wanted to make these performances as much fun for the audiences as I know they will be for the performers. Not only will the music be a delight, but the price is right as well,” Kuinka said.
Tickets for any of these Highlands Opera Studio presentations can be obtained from the Highlands Summer Festival box office. General admission tickets for the Master Classes are $10. There is reserved seating for the Excerpts Concert and the Opera Performances. Tickets are $25. Contact the box office to purchase tickets. The number is 705-457-9933. Visit http://www.highlandsoperastudio.com for more information.
For more information about events in the Haliburton Highlands, visit http://www.haliburtonholidays.com or call 1-800-461-7677.
