CCM Spoleto Opera...bel canto!
From Box #7 in Teatro Caio Melisso (1667), Steve and I fell in love with opera. CCM Spoleto presented two separate but related works. The Telephone by Gian Carlo Menotti and Il Signor Bruschino by Gioacchino Rossini. Two very different love stories exceptionally performed and a delight to watch. I loved the fact that there were subtitles for both English and Italian.
Menotti's home overlooks this theater and during The Festival dei due Mondi, he would direct performances in this classic location. How wonderful that, in the 100th year celebration of his birth, CCM would honor him with such an entertaining production. Opera can be fun.
I was really excited to see Rossini's last operatic farce performed here.
Back in 1817, the composer was en route to visit his parents in Bologna. Stopping at Spoleto with his friend, the amateur composer Marchese Sampieri, he learned that his opera, The Italian Girl in Algiers, was playing at the local theater (Caio Melisso). On a whim, Sampieri took over at the piano, while Rossini placed himself in the pit to play the double bass. How delighted the young composer must have been to hear the ripples of laughter emanating from the audience.
Il Signor, written in 1813, was totally modernized by the director, Robin Guarino, and laughter filled the almost 400 year old theater. We were charmed and turned into devotees of opera after both of these exceptional works.
The true finale of the night occurred when we exited the theater to find a small orchestra filling the moonlit piazza with song. Just when you thought life couldn't surprise you any more, CCM Spoleto presents a summer evening of wonderment and delight. Bravo!
2 comments:
Opera. You either love it with your whole heart and soul or...you don't!
I never thought I would see a picture taken by you of Tai playing in the piazza that I walked by just a month ago!
Love it.
Ahh, Spoleto. :)
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