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Opera Lyra Ottawa Newsletter
La Camerata* |
January 2011
* a gathering of writers & musicians who, in the 16th Century,
met to discuss art and experiment with the art form that is opera. |
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Lucia di Lammermoor... |
Tyrone Paterson, Opera Lyra Ottawa's Artistic Director, announced on January 12, 2011 that Lyubov Petrova has been cast in the title role in Lucia di Lammermoor. Due to personal health reasons, Tracy Dahl is unable to perform.
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Lyubov Petrova as Lucia di Lammermoor
Photo: Mark Kiryluk for Central City Opera
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Russian-born Lyubov Petrova is a soprano of note, having appeared on major opera stages around the world. She made her Met debut as Zerbinetta in Ariadne auf Naxos and has since returned for several roles. She was also featured as the Queen of the Night on the 2006 film of The Magic Flute directed by Kenneth Branagh.
Lyubov Petrova has performed the challenging role of Lucia in Denver at Central City Opera and Pittsburg Opera. Of her role at Central City Opera, the Denver Post raved:
"Petrova, a commanding actress and a singer with seemingly inexhaustible power and blazing technique, impresses throughout the production, but the mad scene - as it should - climaxes her performance. Alternately hushed and explosive, she evocatively conveys Lucia's hallucinations and fast-shifting moods, without falling into the easy trap of overacting. It is a suitably scary yet poignant portrayal. At the same time, Petrova handles the aria's intricate ornamentation, leaps in register and other notable vocal challenges with flawless accuracy and seeming ease."
For more information, please visit www.operalyra.ca
Lucia di Lammermoor by Donizetti
at Southam Hall, NAC.
March 26, 28, 30 & April 2, 2011 |
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and the winner is... | |
...Stephen Slessor. Mr. Slessor sent us this outstanding entry in our
Lucia di Lammermoor Synopsis Challenge!
Lucia di Lammermoor - Synopsis
The tragic tale of a lass and lad and a Scottish family feud.
Twixt Ravenswood and Lammermoor, much acrimony has accrued.
Yet Lammerlass loves Ravenslad and the lad loves Lammerlass too, when, with Ravenslad dispatched abroad, the conniving Lammerbrother moves.
A two-faced friend, a letter forged, and Lammerlass deems her love betrayed. In despair, she marries her brother's choice, and the Lammerfamily fears are allayed.
But wait, the tragedy hath just begun, as Ravenslad returns.
His ire now strong with knowledge that all hopes have come undone.
His invective drives poor Lammerlass mad at the height of this tale of woe, and three deaths are all that's left to tell in sparking bel canto.
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Congratulations on winning two tickets to Opera Lyra Ottawa's production of Lucia di Lammermoor in March 2011.
Stay tuned for our upcoming video trailer - produced by Opera Lyra Ottawa and written by Stephen Slessor. |
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| Inside Opera Studio... | |
Opera Studio member, Sarah Christina Steinert, takes us into her creative process in her blog entry at http://maestroty.wordpress.com/
 | | Sarah Christina Steinert |
Also, this month we have some crunchy numbers that prove you like our blog. Check it out! |
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| Polish up your dancing shoes... |
With less than a month to the Ball, the menu is set, the debutantes and cavaliers are deep into rehearsals, and two of Opera Lyra Ottawa's own Opera Studio members are preparing to dazzle the hall! Opera Lyra Ottawa is delighted that ball-goers have the chance to hear soprano Marie-Claire Fafard-Blais and baritone Mark Gough perform a couple of gorgeous duets and demonstrate how important the program is in training Canada's future opera stars.
Guests are offered a sumptuous dinner combining the best of Austrian cuisine with a special Canadian twist, exceptional wine, beautiful music and unlimited dancing! Held in the National Gallery of Canada's spectacular Great Hall a unique setting, offering unparalleled views of Ottawa's winter wonderland.
And the best part - proceeds from the Ball go to two of the community's leading supporters of youth-oriented initiatives: the National Capital Region YMCA-YWCA and Opera Lyra Ottawa.
Book your tables/tickets before it sells out! Don't forget that ticket buyers get two free dance lessons at Fred Astaire Studio. The first is January 15th so book your tickets now! Please visit www.vienneseoperaballottawa.com
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Thirteen Strings exclusive... |
...for Opera Lyra Ottawa subscribers.
 Join the Thirteen Strings for a delicious blend of works by Vivaldi, Purcell and Pinzi. The featured soloists are Kimball Sykes, clarinet; Manuela Milani, violin; and Paule Prefontaine, violin. January 22, 2011 at 8:00 pm St. Andrew's Church 82 Kent Street Opera Lyra Ottawa subscribers enjoy a 15% discount! Use coupon code LYRA15 for tickets |
| Did you know...? | |
The famous Sextet (Chi mi frena in tal momento?)in Lucia di Lammermoor is performed at the end of the second act when Edgar of Ravenswood appears just as Lucy, his true love, has reluctantly signed the contract to marry another.
It has been described as "one of the finest pieces of dramatic music in all opera. The sextet rises to the full height of the dramatic situation that has been created. It does so because the music reflects the part each character plays in the action. It has an individual aspect and phraseology for each participant in the drama along with an interdependence, which blends the voices, as they are swept along, into one grand, powerful, and dramatic climax."
Source: Music With Ease |
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