Opera In The Heights.. Massenet's MANON

Friend K and I went to the Opera last night.

K. who is fluent in French (while I have only a smidgen), was favorably impressed with the singers' command of a language not too often heard. The program cites Thu Nhi D. Barrus as French coach and the result was excellent. Per Ms. Barrus, singing in French is rather difficult and even more so whilst giving proper emphasis to the meaning of the words.

CORRECTION: MANON WAS SUNG BY JACQUELIN THOMPSON!
I apologize...too many Jacquelins, there :-D!
It was the Ruby cast night with JACQUELIN THOMPSON not Jacqueline Noparstak as a very attractive and decisive Manon, Luke Grooms as DesGrieux, debuting in the role and at OH with great success! Both were outstanding in the Saint Sulpice Scene, where Manon 'seduces' Grieux away from his chosen career as Abbe, to prove to herself that her powers over men have not vanished.

Dessay and Villazon in this scene, the most dramatic and 'grabbing' scene , IMO!


Keir Murray, Baritone, was a suave De Bretigny. George Williams, Tenor, subtly nasty as Guillot. Yoonsang Lee, baritone, did admirably as Lescaut and newcomer Daymon Passmore a gravelly voiced (boy, he IS a real basso profundo) Comte Des Grieux (the pere Grieux).
'Javotte' (Rachel Ross, soprano), 'Rosette' (Heather Scanio-Mezzo in her debut at OH!) and 'Pousette' (Stacey Weber-soprano, also in her OH!Debut) were an alluring trio of "demimondes", with Weber's voice the more outstanding, attractive clear and clean sound.
Rita Minter, soprano, played the Maid. Chorus men and women sang with great presence,
Mezzo Martha Elliott and Soprano Traci Davis in their. respective, 21st and 18th productions. The Costumes were in traditional and sumptious style.

The orchestra performed well, with just a small glitch early on by some of the winds.
Speaking with Concertmaster John Cramer afterwards, he assured me that this was an unfortunate and very isolated event.
The rest of the long opera (2 intermissions with a non musical scene change as well) Massenet's lovely music was performed without any further hitches, Maestro Weibel in his element, conducting the orchestra softly but passionately.

Correction: Jacquelin THOMPSON not Noparstak sang beautifully and acted well. When she ask for indulgence for some flaws, due to a light illness, I was astounded, since no flaws were audible. Maybe more discerning ears might have detected some, but amongst my group of friends in attendance NO ONE heard anything untoward!
Opera in the Heights MANON will be performed 3 more times next week, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with the Emerald cast on Friday, Ruby on Thursday and Saturday.
Visit operaintheheights.org for more information, if you enjoy Opera, Massenet and French. It IS well worth your time!