Week 12: Back to the Zoo 1. Who was the Cincinnati Opera director from 1968-71 while we were having productions at the zoo? A: Jim de Blasis Cincinnati Opera marked our 100th birthday on June 27, 2020, and we have come a long way from our first performance at the Cincinnati Zoo. During the end of our time at the Zoo, James de Blasis directed the operas there as well as during the transition to Music Hall in 1972. He announced his retirement in 1995. Cincinnati Opera at the Zoo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDz2jjtYRnk 2. Which of these operas was not produced in our opening season in 1920? a. Don Pasquale b. Martha c. Barber of Seville d. Norma During our time at the Zoo, the summer season was filled with operas. In 1920, we produced 7 operas–a lot in only a few short months. The Cincinnati Opera continued performing at the Zoo for 52 years. Sonya Yoncheva sings “Casta diva” from The Royal Opera’s 2016 production of Norma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-6JhBYZCrw 3. This celebrated American soprano made her debut in 1951 and also sang in the last Zoo performance in 1971 with us. She was known for her 35 years association with the Metropolitan Opera. Who is she? A. Roberta Peters Roberta Peters, a phenomenal coloratura soprano, was born on May 4, 1930 in the Bronx. She started training at age 13 and her teacher, William Herman, arranged for an audition for the Met. In February 1951 she was scheduled to debut as the Queen of the Night in February 1951. Roberta Peters “Best of”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiU3cIknu20 4. The same year this lyric baritone achieved fame at the Metropolitan Opera he appeared in three Cincinnati Opera productions over the summer. Who was the baritone? A. Sherrill Milnes Sherrill Milnes was born on January 10, 1935 in Downers Grove, Illinois. He was a member of the Chicago Symphony Chorus and then went on to become an apprentice at Santa Fe Opera. He began his opera career with the Opera Company in Boston in 1960. Five years later he made his debut with Cincinnati Opera with three roles: Count DiLuna in Il Trovatore, Tonio in Pagliacci and Germont in La Traviata. Milnes sings “Ah, fu giusto il mio sospetto” from Verdi’s Luisa Miller: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8npJS0wGPg 5. What animals had to be stored underground before each opera performance because of the sounds they would make during the shows? A. Peacocks There are many stories of animals wanting to join the music,often creating moments where singers stopped singing because they couldn’t help but laugh. The peacocks, though, were the most troublesome due to their high, screaming noises. Jim de Blasis called the movement of peacocks going underground for performance time, the “peacock roundup.” An imagined opera by animals Music: "Squilla Il Bronzo Del Dio - Guerra, guerra" Composed by Vincenzo Bellini Performed by The Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera, Dame Joan Sutherland, Samuel Ramey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fT-h6BDiV500 .