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Lovers and opera lovers take note: You can explore the subject of love without busting the Valentine's Day budget this weekend through a pair of opera productions that reveal two facets of love.
You might see tomorrow's stars in the University of Utah Lyric Opera Ensemble's concert version of Mozart's comic "Così fan tutte," because previous opera productions at the University of Utah have included singers who went on to fame.
This week's "Così" will feature six student singers accompanied by the Paradigm Orchestra under the baton of Joel Rosenberg. It will be done in the style of concert operas presented at New York City's Carnegie Hall: semi-staged and with a few basic props, such as hats and mustaches to help with character identification, said Robert Breault, director of the U.'s opera program.
"Così fan tutte's" farcical plot concerns two young men who place a bet on the fidelity of their sweethearts, then put the women to test by wooing them in disguise. It's a clever bit of fluff elevated by its glorious Mozart score.
Breault gave the task of trimming the musical score to his teaching assistant Erin McOmber, a candidate in the U.'s new doctor of musical arts program. McOmber worked with Rosenberg to make logical cuts that preserve the flow of Mozart's music, and wrote the narration that holds it all together, to be spoken by Jeffrey Price, music director of U. of U. Lyric Opera.
As a concert version, the opera will be performed without scenery and costumes, and much of the recitativo music that links the arias will be trimmed. Breault sees certain advantages in the concert opera experience.
"We've all seen crazy stagings of operas," he said. "In this version, people will be able to decide for themselves what's really going on, rather than having a stage director imposing a concept on top of it. The audience can make sense of the story themselves, because the music speaks so clearly."
It has been almost 12 years since Breault produced his first opera at the U., a full production of "Così fan tutte" that featured a young Celena Shafer (then Nelson), a student who went on to an acclaimed career on the world's great opera stages within the next few years.
"It makes me feel kind of old to come back to something we've already done," Breault said, "but this is a piece that's really timeless and always appropriate — a favorite."
'Madama Butterfly' • At Provo-based Utah Lyric Opera, the focus is on giving opera veterans opportunities to display their craft. Seasoned singers are performing Puccini's tragic "Madama Butterfly" at Provo's Covey Center for the Arts out of love for the art of opera.
Lyric Opera artistic director Chris Holmes said the 19th-century tale of a Japanese woman's tragic love for a faithless American naval officer will be a full-length production with staging and costumes.
Scenic elements will be minimized, and a piano reduction of the orchestral score, played by Salt Lake City pianist Larry Gee, will accompany the singers.
Holmes, a Springville resident who took Utah Lyric Opera's helm two years ago, is a baritone who has performed with opera companies throughout the United States.
"I noticed when I moved back to Utah how many professional singers we have living in our area," Holmes said. "It seemed an obvious fit to find more use for the talent we have right here."
Along with featuring local talent, Utah Lyric Opera brings in singers with Utah connections for its productions. The cast of "Madama Butterfly" features soprano Paula Goodman Wilder, a California singer now based in France, as the tragic heroine, Cio-Cio San. Tenor Jason Baldwin, who sings the role of the fickle Pinkerton, is a former Utah Opera apprentice who sang the role of Don José in Utah Festival Opera's "Carmen" in 2009.
Holmes performs the role of Pinkerton's friend Sharpless; mezzo-soprano Stina Eberhardt, a Kaysville resident with a national career, portrays Suzuki. Character tenor Isai Jess Muñoz, who sings the role of the marriage broker Goro, has performed at New York City Opera and many other opera companies in the United States.
Holmes said Utah Lyric Opera has donors who help to meet costs, but needs more.
Volunteerism and the willingness of cast members to work at discounted rates keep the music flowing.
"What I want to believe is that we are able to present quality events in Utah County that the community will respond to," he said. "It's an investment at this point, with a lot of sacrifice, and a lot of willingness on the part of the artists and everyone involved."
The two operas slated for this weekend feature opera stars of today and tomorrow for an outlay of only $10 to $15. And that's worth singing about. —
Operatic love
Two opera productions this week explore the comic and tragic sides of love.
Così fan tutte
The University of Utah Lyric Opera Ensemble presents a concert performance accompanied by the Paradigm Chamber Orchestra conducted by Joel Rosenberg.
When • Friday and Saturday, Feb. 11 and 12, at 7:30 p.m.
Where • Libby Gardner Hall, 1375 E. Presidents Circle, U. campus, Salt Lake City
Tickets • $10 at the door, $5 for students; for information, call 801-581-0113.
Madama Butterfly
Utah Lyric Opera presents a staged version headlined by soprano Paula Goodman Wilder as Cio-Cio San, accompanied by pianist Larry Gee.
When • Feb. 11 and 12 at 7:30 p.m.
Where • Covey Center for the Arts, 425 W. Center St., Provo.
Tickets • $15; $12 for students and seniors; at 801-852-7007 or http://www.coveycenter.org.