Are you a fan of TashaDoesTulsa.com on Facebook?
If not, go ahead and get happy with that Become a Fan button. If so, get your hiney over to the TDT fan page on Facebook and enter for your chance to win a pair of tickets to the latest production from Tulsa Opera, Don Quichotte.
From the Tulsa Opera blog:
On April 17, 2010, Tulsa Opera presents the Oklahoma premiere of Don Quichotte, a “heroic comedy”, based on the classic novel “Don Quixote” by Cervantes. Written in 1910 by Jules Massenet, the opera will be presented in an original production, conceived and directed by stage director Michael Ehrman and built here in Tulsa. This will be the first time in over 10 years that Tulsa Opera has created a new production.
“We felt that the story of Don Quixote is best told simply. Massenet’s opera Don Quichotte combines Spanish folkloric elements with some very intimate scenes, and is very different from the ballet Don Quixote which relies a lot more on grand spectacle and pageantry,” said Kostis Protopapas, artistic director of Tulsa Opera. “Sometimes opera companies overplay the similarities between Don Quichotte and Carmen. They overproduce the show, overpowering the intimacy of the music and the simplicity of the story. Our production of Don Quichotte, timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the opera’s premiere, turns the financial challenges of the current environment into a growth opportunity by exploring a new direction in production style and creating a new, cost-effective production that hopefully we can share with other opera companies in the future.”
“Don Quixote is a man who lives in his imagination, and his view of the world is anything but realistic” said Michael Ehrman, stage director. “Similarly, our production engages the audience’s imagination in creating Quixote’s world. The story is presented by a troupe of strolling actors, much like the one of which Cervantes himself was a member. A combination of shifting panels, rustic props and lighting effects by Broadway designer Charlie Morrison creates a non-literal, evocative backdrop against which the characters come to life.”
Don Quichotte has been a showcase for renowned bassos since its first performance in 1910. Alfred Walker, a Tulsa Opera favorite artist, most recently seen as Méphistophélès in TO’s 2005 Faust, returns in the title role. Dana Beth Miller also returns to Tulsa Opera to sing the role of Dulcinée following her performance as Mother in last season’s Hansel and Gretel and as the mezzo-soprano soloist for the Verdi Requiem with the Tulsa Oratorio Chorus. Argentine bass-baritone Eduardo Chama, last seen in Tulsa in 1999, returns in one of his signature roles as Sancho Panza.
Don Quichotte will feature the Tulsa Opera Orchestra and Chorus and will be conducted by Tulsa Opera Artistic Director Kostis Protopapas. The opera will be performed in the original French with English language supertitles projected above the stage at every performance.
Performances of Don Quichotte will be held in the Chapman Music Hall of the Tulsa Performing Arts Center on Saturday, April 17, and Friday, April 23, at 7:30 p.m. and a matinée on Sunday, April 25 at 2:30 p.m.
The best part is, all you have to do to enter for your chance to win is to make a comment on the post about Don Quichotte. It can be any reply, any reply at all - you can even tell me about what color socks your wearing, what you had for dinner or whether or not your toenails are clean. It's whatev - the point is to get your butt in a seat at a performance of Don Quichotte by Tulsa Opera.
Fun, right? Good luck!
1 comment:
I read the book a LONG while ago and my favorite part was about the shepardess who had all the men chasing after her.
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