Everything Else: The Rest of the Washington National Opera Season
Last
month we took a look at Washington National Opera’s first-ever production of
Wagner’s Ring Cycle. While such a
momentous undertaking does take up a large amount of the company’s time and
money, it is not the only thing on the docket for the season. Here’s a look at
the other shows upcoming over the next several months.
The
next show up is Appomattox, November
14-22. As an opera by Philip Glass, this show fits into the style of minimalism
popularized in the 20th century. This may not be everyone’s cup of
tea. Glass is known for writing music that is highly cyclical, repeating themes
hundreds of times with slight modification time after time. That said, this is
the premiere of a revised version of the show, and touches on highly poignant
topics in our country today. For the company, it’s a bold move in a season with
only one standard (Carmen) and a big
set of one kind of music (Ring Cycle).
The
final main show in the season is Lost in
the Stars, February 12-20. While it comes last (before the Ring), it should prove to be an
excellent entrée for those less certain about the genre. Lost in the Stars is a musical tragedy by German-American composer
Kurt Weill based on Alan Paton's classic 1948 novel Cry, the Beloved Country. Kurt Weill’s
trademark as a composer is to merge his classical background and love of the
opera out of German houses with the Broadway, gospel, African spirituals, jazz, and
blues he found in America. In the lead role will be Eric Owens, a serious opera
singer who last starred in WNO’s production of Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman last season. Whether you call it an opera, and
operetta, or a musical, it’s a brilliantly conceived show with top-notch voices
and music.
Between
Appomattox and Lost in the Stars there are a few other opportunities out there.
Washington National Opera has an annual program called the American Opera
Initiative. This program takes aim at two major deficiencies in the opera canon
today: the lack of modern opera and the lack of American opera. While the shows
the Initiative produces are short, sometimes paired together in groups of three
shows, they offer an insight into the cutting edge and what might be the next
big thing. Going might be more of a gamble than Carmen or even the Ring Cycle,
but it could also be exciting!
First
up is Bizet’s Carmen, September
19-October 3. It is a safe bet for the company, though, with famous
showstoppers such as the Habanera, “L’amour
est un oiseau rebelle,” and the
Toreador song, “Votre toast!,” both
of which have made their way into popular culture with their instantly
recognizable tunes.
The
next show up is Appomattox, November
14-22. As an opera by Philip Glass, this show fits into the style of minimalism
popularized in the 20th century. This may not be everyone’s cup of
tea. Glass is known for writing music that is highly cyclical, repeating themes
hundreds of times with slight modification time after time. That said, this is
the premiere of a revised version of the show, and touches on highly poignant
topics in our country today. For the company, it’s a bold move in a season with
only one standard (Carmen) and a big
set of one kind of music (Ring Cycle).
The
final main show in the season is Lost in
the Stars, February 12-20. While it comes last (before the Ring), it should prove to be an
excellent entrée for those less certain about the genre. Lost in the Stars is a musical tragedy by German-American composer
Kurt Weill based on Alan Paton's classic 1948 novel Cry, the Beloved Country. Kurt Weill’s
trademark as a composer is to merge his classical background and love of the
opera out of German houses with the Broadway, gospel, African spirituals, jazz, and
blues he found in America. In the lead role will be Eric Owens, a serious opera
singer who last starred in WNO’s production of Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman last season. Whether you call it an opera, and
operetta, or a musical, it’s a brilliantly conceived show with top-notch voices
and music.
Between
Appomattox and Lost in the Stars there are a few other opportunities out there.
Washington National Opera has an annual program called the American Opera
Initiative. This program takes aim at two major deficiencies in the opera canon
today: the lack of modern opera and the lack of American opera. While the shows
the Initiative produces are short, sometimes paired together in groups of three
shows, they offer an insight into the cutting edge and what might be the next
big thing. Going might be more of a gamble than Carmen or even the Ring Cycle,
but it could also be exciting!
That’s
a look at the rest of Washington National Opera’s season. I hope to see you
there!
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