We’re pleased to be getting operas from LA Opera again, and on this week’s Sunday Opera (9/29 3:00 p.m.), we’ve got a double bill of operas that received excellent reviews this past March.
The first is “Highway 1, USA” by William Grant Still that started life in 1940s as “A Southern Interlude” with a libretto by Verna Arvey. It wasn’t until 1963 that the opera was revised and premiered under its current title.
Bob (Norman Garrett) and Mary (Nicole Heaston) run a small rural filling station and live in an adjoining apartment. They have lived a life of sacrifice after Bob promised his mother on her deathbed that he would see to the education of his younger brother, Nate (Chaz-men Williams-Ali). Now that his college education is coming to an end, Mary feels that they have done without long enough to support Nate and that She and Bob can finally relax and enjoy their lives together. Bob, however, still feels that they must support Nate until he finds his way life – something Nate is in no hurry to do. After a year of Nate doing nothing to help around the station and being disagreeable, Mary has enough, and her sarcastic remarks are misinterpreted by Nate who tries to make love to her. Mary laughs at him and tells him her true feelings, and Nate responds by stabbing her. Bob, still trying to protect Nate, tries to take the blame for him until a surprise ending that finally frees the couple.
They are joined by Deborah Nansteel as Aunt Lou and Alan Williams as the Sheriff.
The second opera is “The Dwarf” by Alexander von Zemlinsky and was adapted from a short story by Oscar Wilde entitled “The Birthday of the Infanta” by Georg C. Klaren. It’s said to be a response to the end of his relationship with Alma Mahler. It was completed in 1921.
Here, a sultan has sent a dwarf (Rodrick Dixon) to the Spanish princess Donna Clara (Erica Petrocelli) for her birthday. For some reason, the Dwarf is unaware of his physical deformity and sings her a love song believing he is a brave knight. The princess toys with him and gives him a white rose. Emboldened by this, the dwarf tries to kiss her, but she calls him a monster. After he finally sees himself in a mirror, he dies of a broken heart, clutching the white rose.
They are joined by Kristinn Sigmundsson as Don Estoban, the chamberlain, and Emily Magee as Ghita, Clara’s attendant.
Both operas include the LA Opera Orchestra and Chorus conducted by James Conlon.
We’ll continue our afternoon with music of Still and Zemlinsky. From Still, we’ll hear his Symphony No.1 “Afro-American” and his enchanting “Ennanga” in a version for harp, piano, and string quartet.
Zemlinsky is represented by his wonderfully romantic Symphony No. 2 in B flat major.
Although much of this music may be new to you, we can guarantee that it will prove an enjoyable afternoon, and we hope you’ll tune in.
