Classic Arts in Raleigh this weekend
With Fall comes many things to Raleigh, most notably hurricanes (especially this year), Hopscotch, Sparkcon, NC State Football, Hurricane's Hockey and of course the State Fair. While all of these are important popular crowd-pleasers, any thriving city needs its share of major classic arts programming.
In Raleigh we are fortunate to have both world class ballet with an every expanding array of talent and the budding ballet schools to add new performers to their ranks. In line with the ballet is the much beloved orchestra. The holiday season could hardly be imagined without each.
My first love though is Opera. And tomorrow alongside the ballet's crowd pleasing production of Dracula will be the Opera trying hard to be noticed just next door. The NC Opera was formed several years back by combing two smaller organizations. Since then they have been the little arts program that could. Each season brings new productions with increasing more fanfare and musical reach.
While I am partial to Verdi, you can pretty much have me at any Italian composer. The performance tomorrow is Norma. This was one of only 10 opera's written by Bellini whom died at the age of 30. Imaging the level of genius we are dealing with. The opera is in what they call a Bel Canto style, which literally means beautiful singing. What you need to know here is that it simply is an acrobatic feat for the Soprano to perform. Note that the NC Opera production tomorrow is not a fully staged production, it is simply the signing and orchestra but the beauty of the music will shine through.
In growing up, I never cared for the Sopranos. It was the power of the Tenors that grab most people's attention especially any budding opera buff. Nothing is more evident of that then the international sensation of the 3 tenors back in the '90s and the fact that if someone even could name an opera singer, it is likely Pavarotti that would come to mind.
But like any good love affair, you begin to appreciate the nuisances after awhile. While one thing brought you in or grabbed your attention, you stay around and start to look for and appreciate more. This is where the Sopranos come in, most particularly the ones that are signing in the Bel Canto style. If you have time and aren't already heading to one of the many Sunday activities in Raleigh or just enjoying the beautiful weather, take a moment and grab a last minute ticket to see Norma. You will be very glad you did. And if you can't make it tomorrow, there will be several more operas this season including Carmen, which can be a wonderful first opera experience.
Let's spread our love and help NC Opera reach its true potential. It has come a very long way in a very short period of time.
In Raleigh we are fortunate to have both world class ballet with an every expanding array of talent and the budding ballet schools to add new performers to their ranks. In line with the ballet is the much beloved orchestra. The holiday season could hardly be imagined without each.
My first love though is Opera. And tomorrow alongside the ballet's crowd pleasing production of Dracula will be the Opera trying hard to be noticed just next door. The NC Opera was formed several years back by combing two smaller organizations. Since then they have been the little arts program that could. Each season brings new productions with increasing more fanfare and musical reach.
While I am partial to Verdi, you can pretty much have me at any Italian composer. The performance tomorrow is Norma. This was one of only 10 opera's written by Bellini whom died at the age of 30. Imaging the level of genius we are dealing with. The opera is in what they call a Bel Canto style, which literally means beautiful singing. What you need to know here is that it simply is an acrobatic feat for the Soprano to perform. Note that the NC Opera production tomorrow is not a fully staged production, it is simply the signing and orchestra but the beauty of the music will shine through.
In growing up, I never cared for the Sopranos. It was the power of the Tenors that grab most people's attention especially any budding opera buff. Nothing is more evident of that then the international sensation of the 3 tenors back in the '90s and the fact that if someone even could name an opera singer, it is likely Pavarotti that would come to mind.
But like any good love affair, you begin to appreciate the nuisances after awhile. While one thing brought you in or grabbed your attention, you stay around and start to look for and appreciate more. This is where the Sopranos come in, most particularly the ones that are signing in the Bel Canto style. If you have time and aren't already heading to one of the many Sunday activities in Raleigh or just enjoying the beautiful weather, take a moment and grab a last minute ticket to see Norma. You will be very glad you did. And if you can't make it tomorrow, there will be several more operas this season including Carmen, which can be a wonderful first opera experience.
Let's spread our love and help NC Opera reach its true potential. It has come a very long way in a very short period of time.
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