The Scene In and Around Boston . . . Boston Lyric Opera recently introduced the North American premiere of Welsh National Opera's acclaimed production of R. Strauss' Ariadne auf Naxos at the Citi Shubert Theatre. The comedy about creating an opera with a touch of Greek mythology was conducted and sung by artists who have been making headlines recently in the classical music community. More than 150 guests enjoyed a "Cast Reception" after the opening-night performance in the Governor's Room at the Four Seasons in Boston. Singers, directors, designers, BLO Board members, donors, patrons, and staff mingled to celebrate the premiere, which received rave reviews in Boston media. Ariadne auf Naxos was conducted by Erik Nielsen, who was selected by James Levine in 2008 to conduct Tanglewood's The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny. The Metropolitan Opera has already contracted Mr. Nielsen for its 2010-2011 Season. Marjorie Owens took on the title role, last sung at BLO in 1991 by Deborah Voigt, whose performance put her on the map following a review by New York Times critic John Rockwell. Ms. Owens is presently on the radar of Times critic Anthony Tommasini, who described her as "a 28-year-old American soprano with a big, gleaming voice that suggests that she is a Wagnerian in the making... a gifted soprano." She sang opposite tenor Brandon Jovanovich's Bacchus, who recently performed the role of Don José at the Met's new Carmen. An Associated Press review called him a "young and rising star [who] possesses one of the most potent ...voices to come along in some time." A third Met connection is soprano Rachele Gilmore, who sang Zerbinetta. Ms. Gilmore took the stage in New York as Olympia last December in the Met's new Les contes d'Hoffmann. She is an alumna of Boston University's Opera Institute. This production was the eleventh time David Cushing (Truffaldino) of Milford sang with BLO at the Shubert. He recently made his Symphony Hall debut in Beethoven's Symphony No. 9. Congratulations and Best Wishes to all! For information about upcoming Boston Lyric Opera productions and special events, please visit www.blo.org.
Friends of Christopher Columbus Park to Meet The next meeting of the Friends of Christopher Columbus Park takes place on Tuesday, April 13 in the Mariners House, 11 North Square, North End, Boston (Two doors up from the Paul Revere House), beginning at 6:30 p.m. According to Meghan Denenberg, Membership Committee Chair, "Many important topics will be discussed during the April FOCCP Monthly meeting! We hope you can join us!" "Please come prepared to help stuff envelopes for our Annual Membership Drive," she adds. The Friends of Christopher Columbus Park is an all-volunteer group. Moneys raised through membership dues are used to help support the park, the gardens and annual trellis lights. There are several different membership categories.
Swan Boats Return on April 17 Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Boston's First Lady, Angela Menino, will once again join their grandchildren and local Boston youngsters for the first ride of the season as the Swan Boats open at the Public Garden Lagoon at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 17. "We didn't get hit as badly as other cities on the east coast but it was still a cold and wet winter here in Boston," said Mayor Menino. "The return of the Swan Boats is a reassuring reminder to residents and visitors from around the world that spring has truly arrived and summer is on its way." This welcomed annual rite is made possible thanks to the Paget family, owners and operators of the Swan Boats, first launched in 1877 by English immigrant and shipbuilder Robert Paget. Mr. Paget designed the Swan Boats after attending the opera Lohengrin in New York City. At the end of the opera, the hero crosses a river in a boat drawn by a swan. The swan on today's boats is made from either copper or fiberglass, depending on the age of the boat, and encloses a paddle mechanism that is used to propel the boat through the water. The oldest was built in 1910, while the newest was launched in 1993. Fully loaded, each Swan Boat weighs three tons and carries up to twenty passengers. The Swan Boats are built on copper-clad pontoons that contain air tanks to keep them afloat. After being stored in a safe place for the winter, the boats are returned to the Public Garden Lagoon in the spring with the Menino family celebrating the first ride of the season. For more information, call 617-522-1966 or visit the Swan Boats of Boston online at www.swanboats.com. Enjoy! |
|
|
In addition to events covered and reported by the columnist, "The Scene..." |
|
Left to right: Contradicting the stereotype that opera is only for older people, young professionals Tyler York, Elena Damaskos, opera singer Jesse Blumberg, Mia Howard, Ethan Tavan and Karen Robichaud celebrated Mr. Blumberg's Opening Night in Boston Lyric Opera's production of Ariadne auf Naxos. The production attracted audiences of all ages as well as rave reviews with its blend of slapstick comedy and tragedy. (Photo by Roger Farrington)