A Coffin in Egypt

That was a fabulous tour de force by veteran Mezzosoprano Frederika von Stade, For 0ne hour and a half she alone kept the audience spellbound.
Yes, there were 4 others at various times on stage with her, two were actors in speaking roles, two had silent roles. David Matranga and Carolyn Johnson are actors. Cecilia Duarte and Adam Noble were the two silent players.

Plus there was a chorus of 4 gospel singers, who provided vocal accompaniment in quite superb manner. Cheryl D Clansy, a ringing bell-like soprano; Laura Elizabeth Patterson , alto; James M Winslow, tenor and Jawan CM Jenkins, bass.

Von Stade with Cecilia Duarte as silent companion

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Ricky Ian Gordon's music played by just a select few (8)of the HGO orchestra under the guidance of Timothy Myers was at times strident, at time very lyrical but each fitted the words and action on stage. Von Stade's voice soared powerfully in youthful spirits, other times she sounded like an old 90 year old woman, which she played, actually. But
whatever the cause, the thoughts, the remembrances she sings/talks about she truly mesmerized by her presence and voice.
Leonard Foglia directed and wrote libretto, based on the play by Horton Foote.  Myrtle Bledsoe (Von Stade) at 90 recalls events in her turbulent life, and a real drama it was. At the end she comes to grip with it and feels free of hatred, and love. 
Set and costumes by Riccardo Hernandez were simple: a porch in Egypt, Texas, a red caftan and shawl for Myrtle.
The mood lighting reflecting spring, summer, fall and so much more designed by Brian Nason.
It being a World Premiere, there are no clips. YET


But Ricky Ian Gordon also composed The Grapes of Wrath

(seen in a production by Moore's school of  Music U of H some time ago).


Sadly, chers readers you will have only ONE more chance to see this on
MARCH 21!

Like Butterfly Kisses...

como besos de mariposas (Lu and Urtiaga)
that's how the two sopranos sounded like in "A Way Home", Opera To Go production created within HGOCo's Song of Houston Mexico 2010 at Miller Theater this morning.
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(Duarte, Urtiaga, Shircliffe)
An appropriate applicative since the Way is a story about a Mexican American Girl Graciela, Mezzo soprano Cecilia Duarte who sang and acted well, on her way to Mexico to scatter the ashes of her dead Mexican mother (Marisol-Soprano Amaia Urtiaga).

(Lu standing, Urtiage seated, Arrowsmith seated, Magallon, background Coombs)

In the story her mother represents one butterfly (which accompanies the girl and her father Thomas (Baritone Brian Shircliffe) to Mexico to make peace with her grandfather Agustin (Bass Dennis Arrowsmith) The other Butterfly is Karani (soprano Hannah Lu). As one knows monarchs migrate annually between Mexico and USA. Also in the story is a street vendor Ricardo (tenor Alejandro Magallon)-standing left, in the background Dyer-cello

who -as many- wants to come to the USA for a better life.

The short (45 minutes) opera is HGO's 40th World Premiere. The composer is local talent Ethan Frederick Greene with a libretto by Irene Keliher, the musicians on stage are Rebecca Coombs on keyboard and Max Dyer on the cello. Conductor/Musical preparation Kade Smith, Director/Choreographer is E. Loren Meeker.

Miller outdoor theater was filled with hundreds of kids who - to a large extent- were rather attentive, although the last 5-8 minutes a minority of the boys were getting antsy, while most girls continued to listen spellbound. questions after the opera showed a high degree of involvement and the wish to learn how an opera is created, etc.

A delightful interlude on a warm late spring day, pleasantly sung by all with minimal staging/sets and these singers were miked to carry the sound out onto the hill. Just a few pictures...from this morning!