ENCORE OPERA FOUNDED BY STEVE SCHWARTZ For January 10, 2020 NOTES by GENE MARTIN This Week’s Program I read a review that praised Ms Matthews for her acting as well as singing and called Aldo Di Toro “stiff,” less of an actor. Not to argue, but I had a different thought about him with Ms Butterfly still on my mind. Occupying Lakmé troops often formed relationships with local with English Subtitles women. Colonial troopers, young and ————- unmarried even took brides; somewhat older Runtime: 143 minutes • Filmed by Opera officers, maybe married, probably sought Australia at Sydney Opera House • DVD released 2012 • MPAA not rated • ASIN: mistresses. So, perhaps some of Mr Di Toro’s B007C7FFNG stiffness is a bit of amatory reserve plus British diffidence. Does that not make him a LAKMÉ NOTES by STEVE SCHWARTZ brilliant, subtle actor? No? I think I am more forgiving of actors than reviewers. When I was a young man, I only heard “The Bell Song” from Lakmé on the radio, Like Steve, I remember hearing the Bell played as a stand-alone aria. And the Song on the radio. Except for Saturday’s only soprano I heard singing it was the Texaco broadcast of the Met, it seemed to be legendary French coloratura, Lily Pons. the only operatic music on the air. Of course, there was also Robert Merrill singing Nessum She was a leading prima donna at the Dorma. But that was it for prime time radio! Metropolitan for more than two decades starting with her arrival from Europe in ————- 1931. When television became America’s PRIMARY CAST FOR LAKMÉ standard home entertainment medium in Lakmé…… Emma Matthews the 1950s, only Ed Sullivan aired that Gerald…… Aldo Di Toro aria, sung, of course, by Lily Pons. By Nilakantha…… Steven Bennett then, her weak voice had even less Mallika…… Domenica Matthews power. But she did not have to reach the Frederic…… Luke Gabbedy last rows of an opera house, and her Hadji…… Edmond Choo voice was amplified electronically. More Emmanuel Joel-Hornak conducts the importantly, she still could reach those Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra high E’s, and she did so well. No one dared to record the aria, let alone NEXT WEEK: RIGOLETTO perform the opera until Joan Sutherland, We can’t start a year without a Verdi classic. the Australian coloratura soprano, burst So, next Friday, the 17th, we will present upon the opera scene. So far as I know, Rigoletto, the first of the three composed in a videotape of “Lakmé” starring Dame the 1850’s, with Il Trovatore, and La Traviata, Joan, was not available until 1976; I that changed opera forever. showed it here in 2009. Page 1 of 4 As soon as I heard of Opera Australia’s The two then go off boating, singing the 2011 recording, I immediately ordered haunting “Flower Duet”. For years, this and watched it. I was blown away as lovely duet was less well known than the you will be. The title role is sung by ”Bell Song” in the next act. More Australian soprano Emma Matthews, who recently, it has been used extensively in is great. There’s so much here, I cannot TV commercials and many people who find enough superlatives to praise the recognize it do not know its origin. opera’s production for its costuming, Five people in western garb enter, two staging, and sensitivity to cultural British ladies accompanied by their features. With all that, an operaphile like governess and their fiancés, both of me can enjoy, even revel, in what great whom are British soldiers, Frederic and opera can do to his emotions. So sit Gerald. Despite the privacy fence back, relax, and experience those surrounding the temple grounds, they sensations for yourselves. have come out of curiosity, although they Lakmé is set in the Indian subcontinent know it is forbidden. The ladies spot the during the mid 19th century, when it was jewelry and are entranced by it. Since the crown jewel in Queen Victoria’s they must leave before they’re realm. The conflict between the two discovered, Gerald stays behind to make opposing cultures is central to the story. sketches of the pieces. And, that situation, together with the When Lakme and Millika return, Gerald melodic richness of Delibes’ music and hides. Millika leaves and Lakme thinks lush orchestrations, lends the ambience she is alone until she sees Gerald and of exoticism and mystery that gives this cries out in alarm. Rescuers quickly opera its special flavor. arrive, but she sends them away. ACT ONE - The town square Clearly, some strange new feeling has A gathering of local people wearing overcome her. She tells Gerald to leave distinctively colored garments includes at once and forget he ever saw her, but Lakmé, the heroine and her father, the he refuses. We know that the officer has Brahmin Priest, Nilakantha. He is fallen in love at first sight of the beautiful fanatical in his hatred of the British princess and she feels the same way infidels who oppress his people and have about him. taken over their land. The group Lakme’s father returns, and, once again, disperses, leaving only Lakme and her Gerald hides. The priest is not fooled and faithful maid-servant, Millika. vows to kill the British soldier who Although he distrusts the British, violated the holy grounds of the temple. Nilakantha feels it’s safe to leave Lakme He does not know who the man is, but inside the compound of the holy temple he devises a plan to find out. where no outsiders may enter. As she ACT TWO - Later that day and Millika prepare to bathe in the lotus- Nilakantha’s plan: He forces Lakmé to laden waters within the temple grounds, sing in public while he watches for the Lakme leaves her jewelry and religious guilty man to react. Lakme sings the decorations on a bench. famous “Bell Song,” one of opera’s most Page 2 of 4 glorious coloratura arias. The priest being warned that a certain flower that expected her song to immediately do the the locals treasure for its beauty is also trick. But no one steps forward, so he poisonous. So, as we see Lakme pluck a commands her to continue singing. (A blossom from the plants that decorate great way to allow the audience to hear it the hut, we know that it must be twice!) poisonous. Her father enters and begins The crowd finally disperses and Gerald to upbraid her for abandoning her faith, steps forward. As planned, Nilakantha’s but relents when he realizes that she is followers surround Gerald and the father- dying. (You may recognize a priest stabs him. But, the wound is not resemblance to Verdi’s “Il Trovatore.”) fatal (the opera still has another act to With her death approaching, Lakme go). The priest’s servant, Hadji, helps shares a drink of the holy water with Lakme take the wounded officer to her Gerald, saying that even after she’s secret hiding place in the forest. gone, their union will be forever ACT THREE - Lakme’s secret hut in enshrined in the heaven of her religion. the forest She dies peacefully in Gerald’s arms, ending the opera as many of us wipe Time has passed. Lakmé has been away our tears. secretly nursing Gerald as he recovers. Steve Schwartz✍ We see a touching scene between Lakme and Gerald, and become aware that their feelings have become stronger. It seems true love will prevail despite the roadblocks of their cultural divide. (But, we know that it’s not to be.) Lakmé goes out into the forest, promising to bring back a cup of holy water from which they both will drink to seal their vows. While she is away, Gerald’s companion Frederic arrives and reminds him that as a British soldier, he has obligations to his Encore Opera is published weekly to inform the regiment. His soldier’s sense of duty Riderwood Opera Theater community. It is edited and printed by Gene Martin and distributed by Paula Cook takes over, and in a scene reminiscent of to the cubbies of residents without email. • For a free Bizet’s “Carmen”, Gerald decides his subscription send name and (cubby) address to Paula soldierly duty must take precedence over Cook, KC 211 or email to [email protected]. his new-found love for Lakmé. Riderwood Opera Theater presents programs by When she returns with the holy water, Encore Opera (recorded) and The Purple Lady (Live she’s immediately aware of the change in Opera) produced variously by Mike Beard, Paula Cook, Gerald’s attitude, and realizes she has Trudy Downs, Betty Dunkins, Sally Koenig, Joan lost him. In a decision reminiscent of Kugler, Gene Martin, Al Morey, Sally Porter, Steve ”Madame Butterfly,” today’s heroine Schwartz, Millie Trimble, and Ken Welliver. We invite decides to die by her own hand. In the you to join us. 202-352-0725 first act, we heard the British ladies Page 3 of 4 OPERA NOTES FOR : Friday at 1:00 PM at Encore Theater Page 4 of 4.