Weston, MA -- The Boston area's highly regarded MetroWest Opera scored big successes this weekend with two performances of Maurice Ravel's "L'enfant et les sortilèges”
Known as a sensational opera with significant jazz and ragtime accents, Ravel's "The Child and the Spells” introduces us to a land of magic. It tells a story of a spoiled child who, locked in a room, gives a show of anger. Live armchairs, a clock, the fire and a very beautiful princess talk to him, reproaching him for bad behavior. The scene shifts marvelously to a magic garden, where he meets talking animals. After these experiences, the child starts to look differently at the surrounding world and, as happens in a fairy-tale, the world around changes rapidly.
Mozart's timeless classic The Impresario is about a small-time opera company with big-time problems, spurred on by the rivalry between the resident diva and an up-and-coming ingénue. It concerns the woes of an impresario, Mr. Scruples, who must put together a company of actors and singers while dealing with their whims, rivalries and pretensions. The company faces major economic difficulties which are ultimately solved thanks to the intervention of Mr. Angel, a banker.
The musical passages of the opera occur when the auditions of the singers begin. A faded prima donna of opera with whom Mr. Angel has an amorous relationship, Madame Goldentrill, sings an aria ranging from an initially pathetic and sentimental character to a bright conclusion, rich in virtuosities. The following aria tests the young Miss Silverpeal, with whom Mr. Angel also has amorous relations. In "I am the best singer!", the two ambitious singers confront him on who the prima donna will be. The two women fight and demand higher and higher contracts. In the end, the singers and actors determine that art can thrive only through the peaceable cooperation of all their strengths. Mozart wrote this opera as his entry in a musical competition sponsored in 1786 by Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II at the Schoenbrunn Palace in Vienna. There are only four vocal numbers in the score, and the musical content (about 30 minutes, including the overture) is surrounded by much spoken dialogue.
The cast is comprised of highly-regarded opera singers from Boston's New England Conservatory, Boston Conservatory, Boston University and the Longy School of Music. The artistic staff is top notch, featuring Adam Boyles as conductor and Andrew Ryker as stage director. The shows are being presented staged, costumed, and with an impressive chamber orchestra. This double-bill is one not to be missed! Tickets may be purchased online at www.metrowestopera.org for $20 each, plus a two dollar processing fee. See www.metrowestopera.org for the details of the remaining matinee and the remaining evening performance.
Donation Information:
MetroWest Opera is presenting these two one-act operas through a meager and carefully planned budget. In order to make this program a reality, MetroWestOpera needs opera fans' help! Donations are tax deductible as permitted by law and donors will be sent a tax receipt.
Become a Sponsor:
Donation: $1,000 or more
Donor names appear in the program as a Sponsor.
Become a Patron:
Donation: $500 or more
Donor names appear in the program as a Patron.
Become a Supporter:
Donation: $250 or more
Donor names appears in the program as a Supporter.
Become an Enthusiast:
Donation: $100 or more
Donor names appear in the program as an Enthusiast.
Become a Friend:
Donation: $50 or more
Donor names appear in the program as a Friend.
Donations may be made online at http://www.metrowestopera.org
Contact:
Michael Willett
Metro West Opera
Weston, MA
781-729-7940
michael@willettcorpcomm.com
http://www.willettcorpcomm.com
http://www.metrowestopera.org
