Can Love Persist During Civil War?
Seattle Opera Presents I Puritani
Seattle, WA 98109
United States of America
Arturo uses Elvira's veil to disguise Henrietta and aids her escape from Puritan soldiers. The Puritan troops led by Riccardo recognize the Henrietta, but allow Arturo and Henrietta through even though they recognize her. But Arturo is now a wanted man, subject to a death warrant. In the end, after the Puritans defeat the Royalists, Cromwell pardons the Royalist soldiers and Arturo and Elvira are free at last to marry.
I first ran into the I Puritani opera when I picked up a $2 CD of the opera at the local dollar store. The CD was produced in 1995 from Delta Music Inc, and features Lucia Alibert, Michele Pertusi, Carlos Alvarez and Guiseppe Sabbatini. Most of the songs are melodic and very memorable, even Elvira's song while crazy from her loss of Arturo who she believes has deserted her. I fell in love with I Puritani and listen to it quite often.
I Puritani is Vincenzo Bellini's last of ten operas, performed first on January 24, 1825 in Paris. A quote by Bellini says he demanded opera that "through singing must make one weep, shudder, die".
Seattle's presentation of I Puritani runs from My 3-14 and tickets start at $25. A special Mother's Day Tea performance will be held May 11 at 12:30, with tea served before the performance. Cost is $40 for adults and $20 for children 12 and younger.
This show will feature costumes designed by Metropolitan Opera's Peter J. Hall and sets by Robert A. Dahlstrom. Operatic cast includes Artist of the Year recipients John Relyea and Mariusz Kweicien, and Norah Amsellem, Lawrence Brownlee. Speight Jenkins is quoted on the Seattle Opera brochure that until he found this cast, he didn't want to produce I Puritani because he wanted to do justice to the wonderful music. Radio Previews are on May 1 and 2 at 7:30 at 98.1 Classical King FM.
Mariusz Kweicien joins this production from the Vienna State Opera and from the Metropolitan Opera's Lindemann Young Artist program.
Published by Sheri Fresonke Harper
Sheri works as a freelance writer, novelist and poet. She worked in the aviation industry at the Port of Seattle and Boeing Company for 20 years as a systems analyst/architect where she edited and wrote over... View profile
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20 Comments
Post a CommentI never heard of this,great review,makes me want to see it.
I have seen an opera when I was in grade school, and I was totally bored. But I would love to see another one because I am much more mature now and I think I would be able to appreciate it more.
Another great article!
Great job on this!
O wow! Great call, Sheri! Great cast on the paper, too. I saw Kwiecien here last year as Count Almaviva in Mozart's Figaro and he stole all the shows even though we had good Susanna and Figaro in the cast. Relyea is always reliable, too. I'm not famliar with the soprano, but betting it'll be a good run anyhow. Hope you're getting good seats for it! :o)
Sounds like an interesting Opera
I would love to see it, but alas, I won't be in Seattle anytime soon!
Thanks for this good article, Sheri. Very well written.
I would love to see this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would love to see this..........................thanks for the review...........................