Opera in the Park Presents: Bizet's Doctor Miracle!
- Jul 13, 2016
- 2 min read
It's that time of year again! Time to break out your warmest blanket and most comfortable lawn chair and head to REDWOOD PARK in Arcata, CA to see Opera in the beautiful Redwoods! Last year was our operatic debut (in collaboration with Plays in the Park and the City of Arcata) and we are excited to be back on the redwood duff stage. Last year was an amazing opportunity with some really amazing people and friends. We performed arias, duets, and full company numbers from operas such as Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro and Così fan tutte,, Bizet's Les pêcheurs de perles, Verdi's La traviata, Puccini's La bohème, and more.
I am lucky to be working with some truly great people and friends- one of them is my voice teacher and mentor Elisabeth Harrington. I have had the extreme pleasure of working with Elisabeth for the last 4 years at Humboldt State University and she has truly transformed my vocal abilities. She is also an inspiring woman and great friend- I could go on all day!! Singing opera in the Redwoods had been a dream of Elisabeth's since she arrived in Humboldt County almost 10 years ago and last summer we were able to make it a reality! This year, our second season, we are growing into a more developed program (adding costumes and performing an entire opera rather than a showcase) and I am truly excited to see what the future holds for Opera in the Park!
This summer we are excited to present Milton Granger's Angry Birdsong and Georges Bizet's comic opera Le Docteur Miracle. Angry Birdsong is a comical fifteen minute long opera written in 2013 about a nervous and shy scientist who goes to a public speaking coach. It is performed by two women, Nan Voss and Catherine Rippetoe with a special appearance by Elisabeth Harrington. Following Angry Birdsong (our Act 1) will be a brief intermission followed by Doctor Miracle a much earlier written opera dating back to 1857. We are lucky enough to be singing an English translation of Doctor Miracle by David Harris- usually translated versions of opera lose their wit but Harris did an excellent job of maintaining the true commedia inspired lyrical intent. I absolutely adore this one act opera- it is filled with beautiful musical moments, clever wit, dynamic characters, and hilarity. The four person cast of Doctor Miracle consists of James Wright as the Mayor of Padua, Elisabeth Harrington as Veronique, myself- Jessie Rawson- as Lauretta, and David Powell as Captain Silvio and others.
If you are in Humboldt County or near the beautiful North Coast of California- come to Redwood Park July 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, or 30th at 7:00 PM to catch opera like you've never seen before: in the redwoods!
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