Balcony Series provides opera flash mob performances in any locations to unsuspecting listeners through impromptu performances. Balcony Series has given a performance of the well-known duet, drinking song from Verdi’s La traviata at the Prudential Center.
Tonight’s Program
Thank you for coming. Welcome to Aria Night, a production of Balcony Series. Thank you to the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics for hosting tonight’s recital.
We have four sets for you this evening. In each set, you will hear a Tenor and two Sopranos perform Arias from a variety of well-known and obscure operas.
One objective of the Balcony Series is to bring opera to new audiences. To help give context, I will share a bit of each of the stories behind the Arias
While you listen, you may notice differences in the singers’ voices. In Opera, the term ‘fach’’ is used to name different vocal attributes. Fach is a German method of classifying singers’ instruments, their voices according to the range, weight, color, and agility.
I hope you will be as amazed as I am at the variety and complexity of these arias.
Set 1: Defending what you believe in
Il mio Tesoro or “My treasure or my sweetheart”
From the second act of Don Giovanni by Mozart, first performed in 1787 in Prague. The singer of this aria, Don Otavio has finally realized that the womanizing Don Giovanni was indeed the murderer of his beloved’s father. He declares his determination to avenge this wrong and comfort his Donna Anna.
Silver Aria From The Ballad of Baby Doe by Douglas Moore
premiered in 1958 in New York
After the men at the 1880s wedding of Horace Tabor and Elizabeth (Baby) Doe argue whether the silver standard should be repealed or not, Baby Doe shares her view on the subject, saying that gold is only flashy. While, silver is the core of the dreams and hopes that hold the country together.
Tu che di gel sei cinta (to kay di gel say chinta) “You who are girdled with ice” from Turandot by Giacomo Puccini premiered at La Scala in Milan in 1926
After being captured and tortured because she knows Calaf’s name, Liú, a slave girl, is asked by Turandot why she resists torture so well. She replies that her love for the “Unknown Prince” keeps her from telling his name. After singing this aria she takes a dagger from a guard and kills herself.
Please enjoy
Before our next set, I would like to thank Ms. Noriko Yasuda for her expert piano collaboration with tonight’s singers. Fully staged operas have orchestras. But in a recital setting that role falls to the pianist. Though it may not be obvious, there is a deep collaboration in timing, expression, and energy going on between the pianist and singer duo. As you watch the next three pieces you may notice subtle communication on the stage.
Set 2: Imminent Danger
Der Hölle Rache “Hell’s vengeance” from Die Zauberflöte (Magic Flute)
by W. A. Mozart (1756 – 1791)
You will most likely recognize this piece. This Aria depicts a fit of vengeful rage in which the Queen of the Night places a knife into the hand of her daughter Pamina and exhorts her to assassinate Sarastro the High Priest (and her rival).
Ain’t it a pretty night from Susannah by Carlisle Floyd (1926)
Susannah a young woman of 19, sings this Aria at the beginning of the opera after meeting the preacher who comes to their small Tennessee town, while she dreams of traveling beyond the mountains. Little does she know that the townspeople, after seeing her bathing naked in the river will blame her for being shameless eventually leading the town to revolt against her.
There is her house from Signor Deluso by Thomas Pasatieri Premiered in 1974
León, returning to his beloved’s hometown, has heard she will be married to someone else and tries to figure out what is going on.
Opera singers not only have to act a role while singing these challenging melodies, they also do so in many languages. While the most popular operas are Italian, German and French, many operas are set in English, Russian, Spanish and many other languages.
Set 3: Persuasion
Non mi dir “say not” in this piece is in Italian, Don Giovanni by: Mozart
Donna Anna, who is still strongly affected by her father’s death, asks that Don Ottavio to stop talking about marriage until she has had time to get over this tragedy. She still loves him, she says, but would like him to be patient.
Frisch zum Kampfe “fore, into the battle” from “The abduction from the Seralio” by Mozart is in German
Pedrillo realizes that the only way that they will all get free of Pasha is if he himself becomes bold. With this aria, he declares that he shall not be cowardly but, rather, shall be daring.
Bell Song from Lakme by Leo Delibes is delivered in French
Ordered by her father, Lakmé sings the legend of the pariah’s daughter. The girl was walking through the forest at night and comes upon a stranger who has been set upon by wild animals. She rings a magic bell that is on her wand and saves the man, who is actually Vishnu, the son of Brahma the Creator. Vishnu takes her up to paradise for saving him.
Opera has the ability to transport us to far away places. In this last set we may notice how the music transcends the room we’re in, to allow our imaginations to visit different locations, motifs, and natural environments.
Set 4: Dreams
Escúchame from ‘Florencia en el Amazonas’ by Daniel Catán (1949 – 2011)
Legendary opera singer Florencia Grimaldi, after leaving South America 20 years prior to pursue music, returns home to give a concert and find Cristóbal, the true love that she left behind. While on the riverboat a cholera outbreak strikes Manaus and they are not able to leave the boat. Florencia despairs she will not be able to see Cristobal.
Vainement, ma bien-aimée (ven-e-mon ma bien e meh) from ‘The king of the “y’s’ by Edouard Lalo (1823 – 1892)
Mylio, a young warrior, tries to convince Rozenn, his bride-to-be, to leave the protection of her handmaidens and join him in the wedding procession. The hand-maidens refuse. He is not allowed to see the bride before the wedding.
Ah, non credea mirarti (Oh, I didn’t believe to see you) from “La Sonnambula” the sleepwalker by Vinchenzo Bellini (1801 – 1835)
While sleepwalking, Amina prays for Elvino and then sings her sorrow. She remembers the engagement ring that he took from her when he believed she was unfaithful to him. And almost falls from the roof she’s sleepwalking upon.