Friday evening, the 19 th of November, in the Lincoln Theatre, OPC will emerge
from its COVID-driven chrysalis, flutter its multi-spectral wings, and create an
unforgettable evening of magical music-making.
Our beloved Maestro, Alessandro Siciliani, with his hand-picked orchestra of
musicians from Columbus and regional Ohio, will be joined by a rich stable of
vibrant operatic talent including: Caroline Bergan, soprano; Jennifer Forni,
soprano; Carolyn Redman, mezzo-soprano; Victor Cardamone, tenor; Matthew
White, tenor; Robert Kerr, baritone; Jason Budd, bass-baritone; and, Hannah
Bullock, narrator.
The title, “To See Again the Stars”, refers to the 34 th canto of Dante’s “La Divina
Commedia”, in which Dante emerges from Hell, having seen Lucifer, the “Light
Bringer”. Our program commemorates the 20 th anniversary of 9/11 and the
pandemic crisis, but with faith in humans and our creativity, moves forth towards
a new awakening and proverbial dance of joy into our future – like Dante,
emerging from Darkness into the Light.
Maestro Siciliani has constructed a lavish visually and aurally stunning program.
The entire first half features opera scenes of Giuseppe Verdi, beginning
appropriately and reverently with the “Salce” and “Ave Maria” from Otello (Act 4).
There follows en temps voulu the powerful overture to La Forza del Destino.
Reflecting on the intrigue and tremors in our political world, Verdi demonstrates
these ever-constant realities – not to diminish their significance, but to remind us,
perhaps we’ve experienced and withstood many such moments in our human
history – in chosen excerpts from La Forza del Destino and Un Ballo in
Maschera.
The second half looks comedically at ourselves – humor being one of the
greatest medicaments for suffering – with Act 2, Scene 1 of Falstaff, that loveable
jocular hero. There follow moments of agonizingly beautiful memorable arias by
Rossini, Donizetti, and Lehar with a hilarious deliciously and devilishly difficult
duet, “Cheti, Cheti immantinente” from Donizetti’s Don Pasquale.
Please come and envelop yourselves in the magical wings of this new butterfly,
as OPC emerges into a new vivid season of miracles for 2021-2022!
“To See Again the Stars” will be presented at the Lincoln Theatre, 19 November
at 7:30 pm and 21 November at 3:00 pm. For tickets, CLICK HERE.