CIM Opera Gala 11/11/09

If it’s November in Cleveland, there must be opera somewhere! Indeed, it’s everywhere, including the Cleveland Institute of Music. This presentation was titled “A Romantic Opera Gala” featuring scenes from Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel (1893); Der Freischütz (1821)by Carl Maria von Weber, and a goodly chunk of Verdi’s La Traviata (1853).

Dave Brooks contrived a very versatile, moveable set made of large panels hung from the flies, which were easily moved, handily changing the dimensions of the staging area. He was also the lighting designer. As in the past, Allison Garrigan was responsible for costumes, wigs, and makeup. She did a splendid job, especially for La Traviata, which has a huge chorus. The women were all sumptuously gowned, and the men in their tailsuits were uniformly handsome.

Stage Director David Bamberger and Conductor Harry Davidson have worked together here for several years, and it shows. The CIM orchestra sounded great, especially in the Prelude to Hansel and Gretel, which provides a rigorous test of each section! Throughout the long program, Mr. Davidson was especially attentive to the young singers, never allowing the orchestra to overshadow the voices.

As always, some of the singers are 18-year old incoming freshmen, and some are nearing completion of doctoral studies. Obviously, experience will only enhance all the performances, but some of these young artists will surely be on major opera house stages in the not-too-distant future. The opera theater department is expanding sufficiently to allow for double casting nearly all the principal roles. Good for them! The chorus in La Traviata was most impressive, as it should be, considering that most of the singers are in the opera program.

Seeing these young singers do so well in this demanding art form is extremely encouraging.

CIM’s Opera Theater presents three staged and costumed productions each year. Next up is Richard Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos in February. For more information, or to order tickets for either or both of the remaining productions, call 216.791.5000x411, or visit the web-site: http://www.cim.edu

From Cool Cleveland contributor Kelly Ferjutz, who writes: My most recently published book is Ardenwycke Unveiled (e-book and trade paper). Cerridwen has another contemporary romance from me, But Not For Love, currently available only as an e-book, but perhaps will be in print next year. I hope to soon get around to completing some of the 30+ incomplete books in my computer!

By the way, Cerridwen has also accepted two of my short stories in their Scintillating Samples (complimentary reads) area: Song of the Swan and Unexpected Comfort. I love photography as well, as you can see here. Occasionally I teach writing workshops and sometimes do editing or ghostwriting on a free-lance basis. But over and above everything else, there's always been the writing. I can't imagine my life without it.