Carmen at the Dallas Opera

Tonight was George Bizet’s Carmen on stage at Dallas' Winspear Opera House. The star of this opera is always the Bizet's music. His masterpiece of dramatic keeps Carmen in the top 10 list of the most popular operas. This is the second time we have seen it at the Winspear. 

Carmen is of course the infamous gypsy at the center of Bizet’s opera.  She warns the men she attracts immediately: she is not a woman to be tamed. When she sets her sights on a trusting soldier, Don José.  Falling instantly in love with Carmen, José willingly follows her into a life of thieving, ignoring the attentions of Micaëla, his hometown sweetheart.

When a dashing toreador enters the equation, Carmen finds her attractions shifting to the handsome bullfighter, pushing José to the brink of desperation.  I love the music but I still have flash backs of Gilligan’s Island when the Skipper as Polonius sang to Laertes (Mary Ann) in Hamlet set to the music of Carmen! You know the Toreador song, “Neither a borrower nor a lender be, Do not forget: Stay out of debt; Think twice, and take this good advice from me, Guard that old solvency. There’s just one other thing you ought to do. To thine own self be true.”

For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey,

    and her speech is smoother than oil;

but in the end she is bitter as gall,

    sharp as a double-edged sword.

Proverbs 5:3-4 

The Ring of Polykrates

Tonight we joined a few friends for the Dress Rehearsal of the Dallas Opera's The Ring of Polykrates.  

It is the story of Court Music Director Wilhelm Arndt. He has just been promoted at work, the recent death of his aunt has left him with a large inheritance, and he has a wonderful wife, Laura. He is a lucky man.  All he is missing is the company of his old friend, Peter Vogel, who suddenly shows up out of the blue.

Jealous of the life Wilhelm has built, and infatuated by Laura, Peter tries to split them up. Peter convinces Wilhelm that he must sacrifice something so that fate is not tempted by all his good fortune. In an effort to sacrifice his relationship with his wife, Wilhelm tries to start a fight with Laura about her questionable past. However, Laura’s love for her husband will not be shaken. Wilhelm realizes that the true sacrifice must be his friendship with Peter, who is sent on his way.  

This Viennese Operetta is by Erich Wolfgang Korngold. The opera was preceded by Korngold’s magnificent Violin Concerto in D major.  The Concerto was magnificent with 25+ violins, 10 cellos, 10 violas and 6 basses!  Incredible! 

The Lord has done great things for us;

    we are glad.  Restore our fortunes, O Lord,

    like streams in the Negeb!  Psalm 126:3-4

Norma at the Dallas Opera

Tonight we enjoyed the final 2015-2016 Dallas Opera performance, Norma. It the story of the Romans occupying Gaul in the first century B.C. The high priestess of the druidical temple, Norma, has been having a love affair with a Roman officer, Pollione. 

Even though Pollione has fathered Norma's two children, he no longer loves her. Instead, he loves a young maiden serving in the temple, Adalgisa. After contemplating killing her children, Norma instead declares war against the Romans. When Norma discovers that Pollione has been seized, she secretly frees him and puts herself in his place to be burned alive. In the end, Pollione realizes that he still loves Norma, and joins her on the pyre of fire. Yes, as all great operas are, it was a tragedy.

Several of our friends were able to join us for tonight's performance making the evening more enjoyable! One of the great benefits of the youth getting to attend these student performances is the social exposure to the etiquette of an elegant event.  For example, there is no late seating at the opera, patrons are to be respectful of the performers and arrive on time.  Also, to hold applause until the end of an aria and to cheer "Bravo!" (for a male performer) or "Brava!" (for a female performer).

Common sense tips are sent out to students by the Winspear Opera like:  Please remain quiet from the time the orchestra starts (the overture is part of the opera, too!) so that everyone around you can enjoy the music. Don't open candy or gum wrappers, talk, or text during the performance. Be sure to turn off your cell phone or watch alarm when you enter the theater. There is plenty of opportunity to chat with people during intermission. Please do not sing along, tap in time, get up and move around or try to read your program while the performance is in progress - it's really distracting to the people around you!  

It is by his deeds that a lad distinguishes himself

If his conduct is pure and right.  Proverbs 20:11

Dallas Opera's Madame Butterfly

Tonight we joined our PEACH home schooling friends for the dress rehearsal for Pucinni's Madame Butterfly.  If you are not familiar with the story it is perhaps the most depressing of tragedies! Here's my recap: 

The Opera is set in the 1890’s, at the small house on top of a hill in Nagasaki, Japan.  Pinkerton, an officer in the American Navy, has arranged to take a Japanese wife, Cho-cho-san, with the help of an mediator. Sharpless, the American consul, advises Pinkerton that his actions are hasty. But Pinkerton ignores this advice.

Cho-cho-san is a 15 years old. She was born in a samurai family, but the death of her father ruined the family. She became a geisha. She is pleased at her wedding, and she has secretly become a Christian. But, her relatives, who are Buddhist, sever connections with her due to her conversion. 

In Act 2 Pinkerton has returned to America, three years have passed. Cho-cho-san believes that he will return. One day, Sharpless visits her with a letter from Pinkerton, but can’t reveal the contents of the letter. Because, she looks happy with her child. After Sharpless leaves, Cho-cho-san confirms that an American battleship to which Pinkerton is assigned, enters port at Nagasaki. She waits for his return.

Cho-cho-san has a sleepless night, but her husband doesn’t come back. While she and her child take a rest in her bedroom in the morning, Pinkerton and Pinkerton’s “real” American wife, Kate, appear in front of the house. Cho-cho-san’s maid, Suzuki, tells them of Cho-cho-san’s innocence. Pinkerton is filled with regret, and promptly leaves. He immediately departs leaving Kate to talk to Cho-cho-san. Cho-cho-san gets up, and when she sees Kate, suddenly everything is clear to her. Kate makes an offer to take in Pinkerton’s child, but Cho-cho-san refuses unless he comes to get his child.

Pinkerton unexpectedly reappears. Cho-cho-san has already killed herself with her father’s dagger!

The music is incredible and the vocal range required by the lead is extraordinary, but did I mention it is perhaps the most depressing tragic opera ever! 

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.  John 16:33

Touring the AT&T Performing Arts Building

The AT&T Performing Arts Center is one of the prettiest buildings in the Dallas Arts District.  It is home to the Dallas Opera and we've been to many performances at this venue.  I've always wanted to do a backstage tour.  They host tours once per month allowing guests to tour the main portions of the building: the theater, guest boxes, etc. But only once per year, during the holidays do they permit tours backstage.

Today Frankie, Caleb and I went behind the curtain to see the green room, the massive back stage and holding areas.  The most fascinating portion was the elevated orchestra section. apparently operas are composed to be performed with the orchestra at a very specific distance from the performers.  The Elevated orchestra floor can be moved up and down with 1/32nd of an inch to ensure the composers desired sound level.  

Because operas are performed without microphones everything in the building is designed for the highest sound quality from the specific density of the cushions on the chairs to the gold plating on the front of the balconies. 

Russell Read the VP of Operations for the AT&T Performing Arts Center was back stage today overseeing preparations for this evenings performance of Jersey Boys, and he stepped in to give a personal touch to our tour.  The tours generally run 45 minutes, however he brought our group out on the stage with the set of Jersey Boys, and even gave us some insights on lighting, sound and pyrotechnics in the building. 

We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain Hebrews 6:19

Becoming Santa Claus Opera

When it comes to holiday performances, dance has The Nutcracker, theater has A Christmas Carol, and classical music has Handel’s Messiah. Today we’re checking out operas newest addition, composer Mark Adamo’s Becoming Santa Claus. With the family watching the world premiere at the Dallas Opera with a live simulcast to the  Lincoln Center in New York!

Becoming Santa Claus  is set in the Elven kingdom where spoiled Prince Claus will celebrate his 13th birthday with the party.  However, a bright star has signaled a momentous birth. Claus decides to dazzle this newborn with an assortment of the very latest toys before discovering that love is the most treasured gift of all.

The story doesn't go into the religious significance of the child's birth but is that 'presence' is preferred to presents.  It was cleverly done with elaborate, fanciful costumes and magnificent set designs! 

Please accept the present that was brought to you,
for God has been gracious to me and I have all I need.”
Genesis 33:11

Great Scott at The Dallas Opera

The Dallas Opera was host to the world premier of Great Scott, an American Opera.  It is the tale of opera star Arden Scott returning to her hometown to save the struggling company that launched her career. The acts fade in and out of the back stage antics and the opera performance.  On stage is the opening night performance of the long-lost opera she discovered and falls on the same night as the home team’s first National Championship game (Go, Grizzlies!). The fate of the company hangs in the balance as Arden discovers that greatness is truly a matter of heart.

What is missing from the general description of this opera is that like many things the dialog has been dumbed down; the sets are simplistic and the costuming was more people of Wal-Mart.  The humor of the show relied on profanity, sexual innuendos and included the back side of a man urinating on stage.  

What is frustrating is the music was fantastic; and the talent of the voices was second to none! Given the story line, there was no need for over the top costuming; the music was strong enough to carry the audiences attention without flying a mans naked butt back and forth above the stage.  (He was supposed to be a Greek-god messenger). 

Anyway, the blog is here to keep family and friends up on our adventures so, Frankie and I took in the performance this afternoon. It was enjoyable to hang out with my girl.  And just like people have different taste in movies and music, today's performance was not to my taste.  I feel confident that Christian home schooling families was not the target audience for this opera. For the record, Tosca = fabulous, Bastien and Bastienne = Very clever, and Great Scott = amazing music!  

They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying,
 “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” Acts 8:10

Bastien and Bastienne (aka. the Sheep Opera)

If you are a homeschooling parent in the Dallas area you must know about the Dallas Opera's Educational Program, it is outstanding.  They offer programming for all ages from Opera Boot Camp for the very young, student performances for elementary age and dress rehearsals for high school age. 

The Dallas Opera and Fort Worth Opera were two of the first performing arts programs I found when we moved to the Dallas area.  I had never been to an opera and wasn't sure it was something I would enjoy.  In a world of green screens and overtly high tech (non)reality entertaining the opera is still one of the purest forms of entertainment.  

It has all the classical elements, a stage with creative and ingenious backdrops and I love to see the clever take on costuming.  And of course, the music!  The symphony of a live orchestra and some of the most amazing voices ever.  Even having sung a Capella all my life in worship, there are incredible 'musical things' these talented performers can do with their voice that leave me in awe. 

Today was the matinee performance of one of Mozart's earliest works, written at age 12, Bastien and Bastienne.  It is a comedic one-act opera that tells the tale of a young shepherdess, Bastienne and her boyfriend, Bastien. Bastienne believe her love has fallen for a wealthy girl from the big city.  Distressed she runs into Colas, the town magician who has a few ideas of his own on how to reunite the young couple.  This opera is usually performed in German but because this is targeted for a young audience it was performed in English.

After the performance we got a behind the scenes look of how they break down the scenery.  They pulled back all the curtains to reveal the set of Tosca which is currently running.  The youth in the audience were fascinated as they changed the configuration of the giant retractable chandelier from it's ordinary arrangement to a festive Christmas tree. 

I am fairly confident I was a set designer or costumer in a previous life.  I look at all the artistic talent and think, 'oh, that's cool.  I could that!' But I'm not sure what we would do with giant hay bales and a shepherdess costume! 

Your teeth are like a flock of shorn ewes

    that have come up from the washing,

all of which bear twins,

    and not one among them has lost its young.

Song of Solomon 4:2

The Dallas Opera's Tosca

I'm a big fan of the opera and the symphony.  I am a self-proclaimed joyful noise with a great appreciation for those who can make beautiful music.  I've continued to coordinate trips to the opera for our PEACH home school group.  This years big performance for the Dallas Opera is Tosca.

It's Puccini's melodrama about a diva, a sadistic police chief and an idealistic artist.  It's set in Rome in the early 1800's.  This opera has all the elements I love; drama, suspense, love; all set against majestic backdrops with brilliant costuming.  

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles
 and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your
 inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,
which is of great worth in God’s sight. I Peter 3:3-4

A Day of Beauty

Years ago I knew nothing about home schooling, it certainly wasn’t in any educational plan I had for our children. However, fifteen years later I absolutely love being able to go to places like the DMA to research art; or places like the Sixth Floor Museum to learn about Kennedy’s presidency. Of course it does mean we were up at 6:30am to knock out Algebra II, English, Chemistry, etc.; but it’s totally worth it.

We were able to venture to the Dallas Museum of Art for a home school art class.  But our primary goal was to research a few art pieces for Abigail's American History class. The DMA has a large American history collection, including purple slag pieces like my grandmother collected. 

The museum houses a library that's opened to the public during museum hours. It is sandwiched in between the first and third floor exhibit halls and overlooks the cafe.  They also have educational packets covering the current museum exhibits incorporating English, History and Social Studies.  The packets are available for Elementary, Jr. High and Sr. High students.  Best of all, vast majority of the museum is free! Don't miss out on this wonderful resource if you are in the area! 

They also took away the pots, shovels, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, dishes and all the bronze articles used in the temple service. 19 The commander of the imperial guard took away the basins, censers, sprinkling bowls, pots, lampstands, dishes and bowls used for drink offerings—all that were made of pure gold or silver.
Jeremiah 52:18-19

Teacher Training Session at the Dallas Opera

As a coordinator for our PEACH field trips to the Dallas Opera, I was invited to attend their Teacher Training Session.  The sessions are designed to equip teachers of all disciplines with the tools needed to incorporate the TEKs into the classroom with the the opera performances. 

It was a great history and overview of the operas featured in the upcoming season.  The Dallas Opera has a curriculum team who build lessons for students, grades 3-12. The lessons include language arts, Social Studies, Math and of course Music.   

Following the training session we were given a private tour of the Winspear.

David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their fellow Levites as musicians to make a joyful sound with musical instruments: lyres, harps and cymbals.  I Chronicles 15:16

TDO Kids Opera Boot Camp

One of the perks of coordinating the Dallas Opera field trips for our home school group is that they also include us in their year round fun! 

Today The Dallas Opera held their Kids Opera Boot Camp for Pre-K and Elementary age children.  Abigail was invited to help out as a junior counselor, interacting with the kiddos.  She had two of the sweetest African American girls that were mesmerized with her hair and kept petting it.  I'm sure the texture was so different to them.  It was so precious.  

During the workshop the kids broke up into groups and worked on rhythm, music, projecting, choreographing, costuming, and staging.  At the end of the day the participants sat back while the pros performed Billy Goats Gruff.  It was a short children's opera addressing bullying.  

Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken,

    and the prey of the tyrant be rescued,

for I will contend with those who contend with you,

    and I will save your children.

Isaiah 49:25

Dallas Opera's Barber of Seville

Tonight we enjoyed a glorious performance of Rossini's lighthearted tale of romance and false identity, Barber of Seville!   This was the first opera the kids attended in 2006 when the Dallas Opera performed it at Fair Park!  

Even though the opera is in Italian, the humor is funny in any language!   Everyone will recognize the music, think  Bugs Bunny's Rabbit of Seville, "Figaro! Figaro! Figaro!"!   The libretto has been re-done numerous times in pop culture parodies. 

The only opera that holds a candle to this is the Marriage of Figaro, which will be performed next season!! 

For tonight's student performance we brought 60 PEACH home schooled student, all whom loved the show!! Even having seen it before, tonight was a fresh look, amazing and delightful!!! There is a reason this opera has stood the test of time!  If you ever get the chance, THIS is the opera to see, and the Dallas Opera is the place to see it! 

Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
    and our tongue with shouts of joy Psalm 126:2

Dallas Opera's Death and the Powers

One of the prettiest venues in Dallas is the Winspear Opera House, it is just lovely!  Tonight was opening night for Tod Machover's Sci-Fi Opera Death and the Powers at this beautiful building.   It is the story of Simon Powers, a successful and powerful business man, who wants to perpetuate his existence and escape death.  Nearing the end of his life, Power attempts a chance at immortality by downloading his consciousness into a giant computerized "system."  The story follows as Simon's family members must decide if this is a good idea and whether or not to follow him into the "system."  

It is a modern opera and while the music in it was amazing, it pushed the envelope on all the things that I enjoy about the opera.  There were no elaborate costumes; no over the top backdrops with multiple settings; and no grand choreographed musical numbers.  Yes, there were huge computer looking movable pieces, and there were remote controlled robots that were fun to watch.  If your thinking opera: family friendly appropriate for all ages; be warned this modern, envelope-pushing opera includes crude gestures and language that completely took away from the grandness. I was disappointed because there was plenty of good in this opera, but the parts that were offensive were unnecessary.   I'm really looking forward to Barber of Seville! 

For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.
Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number
of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  2 Timothy 4:3

Dallas Opera's Carmen

I am sure that there are some opera officiants who could write a prolific review of the Dallas Opera's Carmen.  As a mom, with children at home who loves the performing arts my review is fairly simple.  I love the majesty of the theater, the grandiose stage design and magnificent costuming, and Carmen has those wonderful attributes!  The stage for the three acts is amazing, I would love a back stage tour to see how these elaborate pieces were built! 

Carmen is the fabulous Spanish tale of a gypsy vixen who ensnares a once honorable Don Jose leading to his demise and ultimately her death.  This story was set to music by Georges Bizet into a masterpiece.  Bizet did not live to see the success of his wonderful work.

'But it's an opera,' you say, 'how was the singing?' you ask.  It was no less than spectacular! Every time we go to the opera I am surprised at how much of the music we already know but didn't realize the origin was an opera.  Tonight we heard the Toreador song from Gilligan's Island when Polonius (Skipper) sings advise to Laertes (Mary Ann).   The kids recognized the Toreador song from Beethoven's Wig, so in the elevator on the way we were all singing various lyrics.

We were joined tonight with several of our home school and church friends which always makes an event more enjoyable.  

Let God be true, and every human being a liar.

Romans 3:4

Turandot at the Dallas Opera

 

Tonight we traveled to Beijing, China, or maybe we traveled to the Dallas Opera's premier of Giacomo Puccini's Turandot.    It is the story of a barbarian prince traveling to Beijing, where he is reunited with his long-lost father and a faithful servant before taking on his greatest challenge — answering three riddles to win the hand of Princess Turandot, although failure will cost him his life!

 

The barbarian prince faces questions of family loyalty, faithfulness to duty, and honesty to oneself.  The prince gives up the love of the faithful family friend for the desire of the lovely Princess Turandot.  The faithful family friend gives up her life to not betray the barbarian prince.  Jon's advice to Caleb, 'don't throw away a lovely friendship for something newer and shinier.'  Jon's advice to the girls, 'don't give up your life for the sake of a stupid boy that can't appreciate who you are.'

 

The show was lovely, the sets, the orchestra, the costumes, everything was wonderful!

Greater love has no one than this:
to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

John 15:13

Bon Appétit! with Julia Child



Today's adventures took us to the Dallas Farmers Market Demonstration Kitchen for Dallas Opera's Family performance of Bon Appetit! 

 

Susan Nicely tours the country portraying Julia Child, the eccentric French Chef.  A local reviewer wrote, “With Susan Nicely’s lovely mezzo-soprano, precise diction and sharp acting, Nicely plays Julia Child with a devilish twinkle making this highly amusing short opera a delight.”

 

In the performance she sings her way through a mock TV taping of Julia Child's television show demonstrating how to make a Bittersweet Chocolate Cake.  The program even include the recipe!  Way too many steps for this A.D.D. mom!   In prep for today's field trip we did Netflix a Julia Child episode, the movie Julie and Julia, and the kid's favorite, Dan Aykroyd's Saturday Night Live Skit as Julia, you know purely research!

 

Of course we met up with other homeschooling families,  I include a picture of Frankie holding up our PEACH sign outside the Dallas Farmers Market.  Every field trip we attend, Sissy is out front with the sign and a smile to greet our friends!  

 

Inspired by the creative cooking, we then headed over to the Farmer's Market and picked out lots of fresh fruits and veggies.  Tell me honestly, doesn't that make you hungry looking at all those yummy foods!  And to prove the apple (or orange) doesn't fall far from the tree, Abigail and I had the same idea while sampling the fresh oranges!






 

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.

Job 8:21

Dallas Opera Family Concert

 

This afternoon I coordinated an outing for our home school families to a family opera at the Winspear Opera House. Dallas Operas Family Concert featured arias and overtures from The Barber of Seville, The Marriage of Figaro,and Carmen. The Dallas Opera's orchestra was led by Maestro Anthony Barrese, and joined by a Mezzo-Soprano and lead Baritone. Before the concert there were crafts and activities for kids. The activities were really geared towards Elementary age children, but the concert itself was for more Middle School age children. I was hoping for the performance with images from Gilligan's Island with Skipper singing Hamlet to the music from the Marriage of Figaro, or cartoon videos from Bugs Bunny etc. But I'm sure there are copy write laws etc.

 

From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things,
and the work of their hands brings them reward.

Proverbs 12:14

Dallas Opera: Aida

Tonight kicked off the 2012-2013 Dallas Opera season with Aida   It is set in Ancient Egypt, with a captive Ethiopian princess, Aida,  torn between her love for the Egyptian commander Radames and her loyalty to her own father and country. The lovers must fend off the schemes of a fiercely jealous Egyptian princess and decide whether true love trumps honor and duty.  I think Caleb was hoping for a few more battle scenes, but the girls enjoyed the beautiful costumes.

 

Although I'm certainly not a opera aficionado, I do love live theater and appreciate the skills it takes to perform, the voices, the creativity in the costumes, the beautiful sets and the lovely symphonic orchestra.   Live theater beats any TV or movie screen.  No matter how advanced 3D technology becomes it can't compare to a night at the theater.  I love how there is no instrument that can begin to duplicate what the human voice can do, and the myriad of talents God has placed in people. 

 

But be sure to fear the LORD and serve
him faithfully with all your heart;
consider what great things he has done for you.

I Samuel 12:24

Dallas Opera's the Magic Flute

Frankie, Abigail & Caleb at the Winspear

Pamina being rescued by Papageno

Tamino playing the flute



The Dallas Opera closes their with Mozart’s last opera, which premiered two months before he died, The Magic Flute.



the Queen of the Night!
Amazing vocals!

It is an absolutely WONDERFUL production.  If you haven't been to the opera before, or haven't shared the opera with your children, start here!  Pamina, the kidnapped daughter of the Queen of the Night.  Tamino is the love-struck prince who is compelled by the Queen to rescue her daughter from the allegedly evil new-age high priest.  The Queen of the Night has two arias and are the most difficult of the soprano repertoire.  She makes a run thru the Queen's trademark vocal runs seem effortless! 
.



Papogeno

The role of Papageno, the buffoonish, down-to-earth bird catcher of the Queen, requires its performer to ham it up, big time. One of the most beloved scenes in The Magic Flute is the duet between Papageno and his bride, Papagena.  The scene is finished off with mini Papogenos & Papagenas running around in matching outfit, and a couple of Dallas Cowboy jerseys.

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The sets are among the most beautiful I have seen. The music is delightful, the performers are top-notch, and the stage production is exquisite. You will walk out of the theater with a smile on your face!  In preparation for this opera, the Dallas Opera puts out educational material, we also viewed The Magic Flute (produced in 1975, which paled in comparison to Dallas' presentation) and finally the Smurfs and the Magic Flute!

Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who

hears the sound of the flute and all kinds of music

must fall down and worship the image of gold,
Daniel 3:10