Société d' Opéra National Capital de la Capitale Nationale Opera Society Spring 2020 NEWSLETTER : BULLETIN Printemps 2020 Jonathon Dove’s Flight in Victoria by Murray Kitts This opera had its debut about 20 years ago at Glynde- person who has no passport or official papers and has bourne with libretto by April de Angelis and music by not been able to locate his twin brother who was Jonathan Dove who appeared in person at this Canadi- carrying all of their documents. an premier on February 20th. The opera has been Heading the stellar cast of Canadian singers was performed with considerable success in the UK and Sharleen Joynt, familiar to Ottawa audiences and, of USA and the house was full for the final performance special interest to NCOS members, as twice a finalist on March 1. The music was pleasant and fitted the text in our BLOC Photo: David Cooper Photography but was not particularly melodic. The orchestra played competitions. well, as usual, using extra percussion and a muted tuba Her previous to create effects particularly during the storm . appearances in To convey the unconventionality of the story, Victoria as opera devotees who are used to suicide or death by Queen of the natural causes or by the headman’s axe were treated to Night and Mu- the birth of a baby onstage! setta prepared The original story is based on a real incident the audience for involving an Iranian man who was trapped in a Paris Sharleen Joynt stunningly air terminal for 18 years. The man’s story supplied by beautiful color- this opera inspired Steven Speilberg’s film The Termi- atura singing. As Controller of the airport she dominat- nal which starred Tom Hanks. ed the series of dramas enacted below her control Artistic Director and Conductor Timothy Ver- tower, prompting some rather caustic remarks from non assembled a group of outstanding singers who “one who has seen it all”. were capable of the vocal demands of the score and Mezzo Soprano Allyson McHardy appeared as were excellent actors and actresses. the Minskwoman, that is a woman obviously pregnant The first character, introduced as the Refugee, going to Minsk with her diplomat husband who has was William Tow- just been assigned by his ers, a B r i t i s h Photo: David Cooper Photography government to this re- Countertenor. He mote city. Her role is has performed in very demanding as she is major Baroque and so uncertain about the contemporary works move to Minsk that she thoughout Europe allows her husband to and North America. depart on a plane for that His very strong destination and then re- voice in his range grets her decision. Neil enabled him to cap- Craigshead, one of two ture the sympathy excellent Bass Baritones in the cast, is the Minsk- and understanding of the Creature the audience for a Bill, Tina, McLaren, Towers, Brancy, McHardy, Botava man, who returns from (Continued on page 2) Spring 2020 Printemps 2020 Jonathon Dove’s Flight in Victoria (continued) Minsk declaring that he cannot be without the love of his and Bill is wearing no trousers at all but displaying his wife and thus is able to assist with the arrival of their baby bright red jockey shorts. What comes of this is for the (a silent role). ladies to forgive all and even encourage Tina in her Emilia Botava, Mezzo Soprano, is Older Woman, enthusiasm for Bill. 52, as she quite often remarks, and is waiting for a young The final character to appear in the opera is the man, a bartender from a Caribbean island she has just Immigration Officer sung by another great powerful visited, expecting her “fiancé” to meet her and become Baritone, Justin Welsh, who shows compassion for the the successor to husbands one and two. Quite a comic Refugee and provides an explanation for his apparent role. Kimy McLaren, Soprano, plays the Stewardess with desertion by his brother because of the latter’s accidental much verve and brilliance. The object of her passion is the death. fine Baritone who plays the Steward, John Brancy, who The combination of Ken MacDonald’s set and the seems to have an infinite capacity for playing adult games lighting by Alan Brodie created an extremely practical with the Stewardess. production, and a magical final scene with the front of a The final couple are Jacqueline Woodley, Soprano, huge plane projected on the scrim and the cast mounting and John Robert Lindsey, Tenor, the only persons in the the stairs into the plane, with the exception of the Refu- opera to be named as Tina and Bill. Tina is hoping that gee and the Controller who remain to contemplate the their vacation will bring a new sparkle in their marital future. relationship but her references to a sex manual seems not The capacity audience at this performance showed to interest Bill in the least. But with the oncoming of night great appreciation for the performance of this opera and and with everyone wrapped in blankets Bill decides to I found myself laughing a lot at the all too human foibles cuddle up to Tina. When morning comes along Tina is and antics portrayed, and moved by the painful dilemma present but Bill and the Steward are not. All becomes of the Refugee. clear when the Steward arrives wearing Bill’s trousers President’s Message – March 2020 Dear fellow members: I write this on March 1st Guild’s Spring lunch recital. I am investigating and hope the worst of the winter is behind us. I restarting these. Let me know, if you would like am looking forward to our next Opera Alla Pasta to help. on March 22nd. It is a fun production of Mozart’s By the way, membership is from January to Abduction from the Seraglio. Prior to the screen December; I will be sending out a reminder to ing, Norman Brown will provide a preview of members who may have overlooked renewing. OperOttawa’s 2021 Season. I look forward to For those who renewed, a great big thank you. seeing you there. Also, a big thank you to all the contributors to In June, I am planning on another favorite, our wonderful Newsletter. Feel free to join them. High C & High T. Murray has agreed to give a Every contribution is appreciated – no matter new talk and is busily preparing in Victoria. We how small. look forward to seeing him back in Ottawa. Lastly, I am looking forward to Spring and When I first came to Ottawa in 2002, one of all our opera activities in Ottawa. See you soon. the operatic events I loved was the Opera Lyra Mark Robinson For information on the National Capital Opera Society or the Brian Law Opera Competition contact Lesley Robinson at 6137695957 or consult www.ncos.ca 2 Spring 2020 Printemps 2020 uOttawa’s Cosi - Another Triumph by Shelagh Williams We have come to expect our early March opera fix from and with Alf treated us to a lovely Soave trio - one of Prof. Sandra Graham and the uOttawa Opera Company my favourites! Finally, soprano Madeleine Levesque to lift us out of our doldrums with their always lively as Despina, the women’s housekeeper, and three and innovative productions. And with an excellent energetic cheerleaders (doing both performances) chamber orchestra under Jean-Philippe Tremblay, they rounded out the female cast. of course did not disappoint! The Saturday cast all had very clear diction so jokes There were two performances, each with a different were easily understandable. Also the stage business was cast, and we were fortunate enough to enjoy both! Prof. very well done, notably by Kevin Burke (here as Alf), Graham’s concept was brilliant. Set in Ottawa, 1955, such as when he played Solitaire, with help, during two uOttawa Gee-Gees football players brag about their Fiordiligi’s long (though well sung) Come scoglio! girlfriends’ faithfulness to their coach, Alf. He doubts Tenor Ryan Tonelli as Ferrando and baritone Philippe any woman can remain loyal, and a bet on their Wandeler as Guglielmo sang and interacted well and constancy ensues! Surprise follows surprise as the lads were good looking and well built, and were both are drafted to Winnipeg and the Blue Bombers! The believable as football players. Another great pair of footballers “return” disguised as Alf’s soigné friends, sisters, soprano Christine Hecker as Fiordiligi and in berets and scarves, from Paris, France! What fun! mezzo Tessa Fackelmann as Dorabella, kept up the high This was a first class presentation, sung in Italian standards. Soprano Danielle Girard, as Despina, was a with English dialogue and recits, and including two revelation! Tall and slim, with a great voice and comic screens with scene summaries and super 1950’s B&W skills, she multi-tasked as Alf’s “assistant” to give us photos! The costumes were spot on, with the women in the lively old Ukrainian Baba, in brightly flowered polka dots, crinolines, and white bobby sox with ruffles, babushka, who saved the “Frenchmen” with a huge and the players in genuine Gee-Gees football shirts and magnet, and also played an Elvis impersonator(!) who helmets, courtesy of uOttawa Sports Services! tied the knot at the Chateau fake wedding! In addition In the Friday cast, tenor Iain Macpherson as she knew how to do stage business, such as clearly and Ferrando was a large comically rifling her burly centre, but with a employer’s purse! great voice to open the Overall, the piece was opera with La mia very well staged and Dorabella, while bass- performed : a triumph! baritone Kevin Burke Action throughout the hall was a young clean cut during the overture quarterback, Guglielmo, introduced the players.