Opera Loves Company

This year I have been working with The Houston Grand Opera on their Patron Group to Santa fe, NM. They are going with a group of Opera Patrons to see three wonderful Opera's in Santa Fe, NM during their summer season. They will be viewing these under the stars July 23rd, through the 27th, 2008. For those of you who have not yet been to Santa Fe, it is a wonderful experience that should not be missed! Each summer in New Mexico, under a star-filled sky, The Santa Fe Opera rolls out world class performances. This year, the Houston Grand Opera trip will co-incide with the Indian Market, another treat for those attending. The Santa Fe Indian Market includes 1,200 artists from about 100 tribes who show their work in over 600 booths. The event attracts an estimated 100,000 visitors to Santa Fe from all over the world. Buyers, collectors and gallery owners come to Indian Market to take advantage of the opportunity to buy directly from the artists. For many visitors, this is a rare opportunity to meet the artists and learn about contemporary Indian arts and cultures. Quality is the hallmark of the Santa Fe Indian Market. (Courtesy: SWAIA.) There is something for everyone, food, shopping and the artist themselves will often explain their art and it's symbolism to you. Accommodations are at the Eldorado Hotel, located just steps from the plaza. We look forward to a wonderful trip with Rudy Avelar, Guyla Pircher and of course our own Anthony Freud, general director of the Houston Grand Opera.

The three operas they will enjoy are: Radamisto, Conductor: Harry Bicket, Director: David Alden,Scenic Designer: Gideon Davey, Costume Designer: Gideon Davey; Billy Budd, Conductor: Edo de Waart,Director: Paul Curran, Scenic Designer: Robert Innes Hopkins,Costume Designer: Robert Innes Hopkins; and Adriana Mater, Conductor: Ernest Martinez Izquierdo, Director: Peter Sellars, Scenic designer: George Tsypin (see complete synopsis at bottom of this blog.)

I have been fortunate in seeing some of the cast of these presentations here in Houston. Laura Claycomb,Polissena in Radamisto and one of our own native Texans has been featured in several productions here in Houston and was a treat! Her performance as Giulio Cesare's Cleopatra, was one of the best performances I have personally attended. I have no doubt this rising star will live up to her usual high standards.

Another wonderful artist recognized for the beauty of his tone is the ultra handsome, ultra elegant, Joseph Kaiser, who will be perfoming the part of Jonas in Adriana Mater. Joseph has starred as Tamino in the Kenneth Branagh film The Magic Flute, conducted by James Conlon and released in 2007. Kaiser seems to be one of the rising stars of his era and we wish him all the success he deserves.

Last but certainly not least is the fabulous voice and personna of Teddy Tahu Rhodes. At 6 foot 5 and with a body that will make you dream of him long after the music fades Teddy Tahu Rhodes is just superb! I admit that like millions of adoring fans I have fantasies of his baritone, as well as his stage presence! He is an Opera "God" not to be missed. With his looks, energy and his superb voice, it is easy to see why he is called the "Brad Pitt" of the Opera! From his first starring role in Sydney, over seven years ago, this wonderful artist has swept legions of fans into loving the opera.


RADAMISTO

Characters

Farasmane, King of Thrace
Radamisto, son of Farasmane
Zenobia, Radamisto’s wife
Tiridate, King of Armenia, in love with Zenobia
Polissena, Tiridate’s wife, daughter of Farasmane
Tigrane, Prince of Pontus, ally of Tiridate, in love with Polissena


Background

The action takes place in and around a city in Thrace, in Asia Minor, circa 51 AD. Tiridate, king of the neighboring state of Armenia, has become consumed with lust for Zenobia. She is married to Radamisto, who is himself the son of Farasmane, king of Thrace. Without divulging his true reason, Tiridate has invaded Thrace, captured Farasmane, and is now besieging the city where Radamisto and Zenobia are encamped.

The Story of the Opera

ACT I
Polissena, Tiridate’s loyal but abandoned wife, prays in despair. Tiridate’s ally Tigrane, who is in love with Polissena, tries persuading her to leave Tiridate, but without success. Tiridate orders the city be destroyed. Radamisto learns that his father will be executed unless he surrenders, but Farasmane urges defiance then successfully captures the city. Tiridate reluctantly agrees that Farasmane may live if Radamisto and Zenobia are brought to him.

ACT II
Radamisto and Zenobia use a secret tunnel to escape. They emerge on a riverbank in the countryside, but enemy soldiers soon appear. Zenobia begs her husband to kill her, but his half-hearted attempt to do so results in only a minor injury. Radamisto is captured and Tigrane takes him to Polissena. Zenobia is rescued from the river. Radamisto, disguised as a soldier, asks Polissena to take him to Tiridate, vowing to kill him and thereby avenge Zenobia's honor, but she refuses. Tiridate continues to pursue Zenobia, but is interrupted by Tigrane, who announces that Radamisto is dead. A messenger arrives to describe his death, but it is actually Radamisto in disguise. He gives a stirring account of his own “dying words,” proclaiming his love for Zenobia and urging her to continue resisting Tiridate. Zenobia recognizes Radamisto’s voice and vows to do so. Tiridate asks the messenger to help him win Zenobia’s heart, then leaves the two of them alone for a joyful but clandestine reunion.

ACT III
Now repelled by Tiridate’s tyranny, Tigrane conspires to bring him to reason. Tiridate greets Zenobia as the queen of Thrace and Armenia, but she continues to reject him. When he tries to embrace her, the still-disguised Radamisto bursts in armed with a sword. Polissena intervenes to keep Tiridate from being killed and Farasmane accidentally reveals Radamisto’s identity. Tiridate orders his execution and Polissena pleads that Radamisto not be killed, but is brushed aside. Zenobia is determined to die with her husband, but Tiridate offers her a choice: either Zenobia shall become his wife or she shall witness her husband’s beheading. In the temple the executions are about to take place, when Polissena announces that Tigrane has led the army into revolt and now surround them. Radamisto asks Polissena to pardon Tiridate, which she does, much to her husband’s surprise. Tiridate is restored to the throne of Armenia, which he promises to rule with the mercy and wisdom of Radamisto. Farasmane will again rule Thrace, while Radamisto and Zenobia celebrate their happiness with a dance.
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BILLY BUDD

Characters

Captain Vere, commander of the HMS Indomitable
Billy Budd, able seaman
John Claggart, master-at-arms
Mr. Redburn, first lieutenant
Mr. Ratcliffe, second lieutenant
Mr. Flint, sailing master
Red Whiskers, an impressed man
Dansker, an old seaman
A novice
Squeak, a ship’s corporal

The Story of the Opera

The action takes place during the French Revolutionary Wars, in 1797, on board the HMS Indomitable, a two-decked battleship with seventy-four cannons.

Prologue
Captain Edward Fairfax Vere, an old man, reflects on his life and his time in the navy. He is tormented by guilt over the case of Billy Budd on board his ship, the HMS Indomitable, some years earlier.

ACT I
The crew of the Indomitable works on deck. For bumping into an officer, the novice is sentenced to be flogged. A cutter approaches, returning from a merchant ship where it has pressed three sailors into England's navy. One of them, Billy Budd, seems overjoyed with his situation—unlike the other two who are not so happy. Claggart, the master-at-arms, calls him "a find in a thousand," despite his slight stammer. Billy says farewell to the Rights o' Man, his former ship, unaware of what his words imply. The officers take his words as a deliberate provocation and order the men below decks. Claggart tells Squeak, the ship's corporal, to keep an eye on Billy and give him a rough time. The novice returns from his flogging, unable to walk. Billy is shocked at the cruelty of the punishment, but is certain that if he follows the rules he will be in no danger. Dansker, an old sailor, nicknames Billy "Baby Budd" for his innocence and tells him Vere’s nickname—“Starry Vere”—which is enough for the impulsive Billy to swear his loyalty to the unseen captain. In his cabin, Vere muses over classical literature. His officers enter, and they discuss the revolution in France and the recent mutinies in the British Navy sparked by French ideas of democracy. The officers warn that Billy may cause trouble, but Vere dismisses their fears.

The sailors rough-house below decks, but old Dansker remains gloomy. Billy goes for some tobacco to cheer him up, and discovers Squeak rifling through his kit. In a rage, Billy begins to stammer. He knocks Squeak to the ground as Claggart and the corporals enter. Billy is still unable to speak, but Claggart takes his side and sends Squeak to the brig. However, when alone, Claggart reveals his hatred for Billy and vows to destroy him. He orders the novice to try to bribe Billy into joining a mutiny, and the broken-spirited novice quickly agrees. Billy refuses the bribe and believes he will be rewarded, but Dansker warns him to beware of Claggart.

ACT II
Claggart begins to tell Vere about the danger that Billy represents, but is interrupted by the sighting of a French ship. The Indomitable attacks, but loses the enemy in the mist. Claggart returns, and tells Vere that Billy may attempt to organize a mutiny. Vere does not believe him and sends for Billy so that Claggart may confront him. Later, in Vere's cabin, Claggart repeats the false charge to Billy's face. Once again, Billy begins to stammer in rage. Unable to speak, he strikes Claggart, killing him. The Captain convenes an immediate court-martial; the officers find Billy guilty and sentence him to hang. Billy begs Vere to save him, and the officers appeal to him for guidance, but Vere remains silent and accepts their verdict. He goes into the cabin where Billy is being held, and the orchestra suggests a tender offstage meeting as the captain informs Billy of the sentence.

Billy prepares for his execution in his cell. Dansker brings him a drink and reveals that the crew is willing to mutiny for his sake, but Billy is resigned to his fate. Four o'clock that morning, the crew assembles on deck, and Billy is brought out. The Articles of War are read, and show that Billy must be hanged. Just before his execution, he praises Vere with his final words, singing "Starry Vere, God bless you!" The sentiment is echoed by the rest of the crew.

Epilogue
Vere, as an old man, remembers Billy's burial at sea, reflecting that the man he failed to save has instead saved him. He recalls Billy's blessing, realizing that he has discovered genuine goodness and can finally be at peace with himself.
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ADRIANA MATER

Characters

Adriana Mater, a young woman
Refka, Adriana’s sister
Yonas, Adriana’s son
Tsargo, Yonas’s father

The Story of the Opera

SCENE 1: Light
Just before the outbreak of war. Adriana relaxes outside her house. When she tries to go in, a drunken young man called Tsargo bars her way. He attempts to engage Adriana in conversation, reminding her that they danced together a year ago. She rebuffs him, and he departs to fall asleep nearby. Refka, Adriana's sister, who has watched all this, rebukes Adriana for speaking to Tsargo. Night falls, and a dream sequence is enacted, though we do not know whether the dreamer is Adriana or Tsargo or both of them. In the dream, Tsargo gets ready to take Adriana dancing, but when she puts her hand on his arm he turns into a bottle, which Adriana drops and breaks. Adriana wakes up laughing both in the dream and in reality. Tsargo also awakens, feeling humiliated, and rushes off uttering threats.

SCENE 2: Darkness
The rumble of war comes, as if echoing Tsargo’s fury. He re-enters as a soldier carrying a gun. He knocks at Adriana's door, but she snubs him as sternly as before. He breaks down the door, and we deduce that he rapes her.

SCENE 3: Two Hearts
Adriana is pregnant. She quarrels with her sister, who reproaches her for deciding to have the child. Refka tells Adriana of the dream she had the previous night, which reflects not only Refka's own anxieties about the child that is to be born, but also the fears of Adriana herself, who wonders who her son will turn out to resemble—Cain or Abel?

SCENE 4: Confessions
Seventeen years later. Yonas, Adriana's son, has just learned that, contrary to what Adriana has always told him, his father did not die heroically, trying to defend Adriana and their son. Yonas is furious, and Adriana explains that she had not meant to tell him the truth until he was old enough to deal with it. Yonas is still angry, especially with his unknown father, whom he swears to kill. The scene ends with another dream where the identity of the dreamer is not clear, and in which we see Yonas throwing off all disguise and slaying his whole family, finally turning his weapon against himself.

SCENE 5: Rages
Refka enters to tell Adriana some news, but comes instead upon Yonas, who upbraids her for having lied to him about his father. Adriana enters and Refka tells her, in Yonas's presence, that Tsargo is back in the country. Yonas charges off vowing to kill him.

SCENE 6: Duel
Yonas meets his father and rebukes him. Tsargo, whose back is to Yonas, doesn't hesitate to admit who he is and what he has done. Yonas announces that he intends to kill him, but not wanting to attack him from behind, asks him to turn round. Tsargo turns slowly, and we see that he is blind. Yonas is taken aback. Unable to keep his vow and kill his father now that he is disabled, he flees.

SCENE 7: Adriana
All four characters are on stage at once, but independently of one another. All are distraught, consumed with anxiety and remorse. Only Adriana and Yonas eventually meet. Yonas asks his mother to forgive him for failing to avenge her. Adriana questions him calmly about what happened, and tells him how before he was born she wondered night and day whether her son would turn out to be a killer like his father. Now she knows the answer: Yonas is her son, sprung from her blood, and not the son of a monster. "We are not avenged, " she tells him. "But we are saved." The gates of Hell can close again.