Hamlet is heading North

The Minnesota Opera announced its 2012-2013 Season, which is also its 50th season, last week and the Lyric Opera of Kansas City production of Hamlet (2006) is on the schedule, slated to be performed March 2-10, 2013 (click here and here for articles about the Minnesota Opera’s 2012-13 Season).  This production of Hamlet designed/directed for the Lyric Opera by Thaddeus Strassberger is out on the road again, after traveling to Washington National Opera in 2010 and receiving praise.  Not only is Mr. Strassberger’s production of Hamlet heading to Minnesota next season, but he is also designing and directing a new production of Nabucco, also featuring Brenda Harris, to kick-off Minnesota Opera’s 50th season.

For those of you wondering when the Lyric Opera of Kansas City will be announcing our 2012-2013 season,  you don’t have too wait much longer.  The season will be announced in mid-February, keep an eye out in the press and visit kcopera.org when the season is announced to learn all about next season.

Brenda Harris: The New American Norma?

There are only 3 performances remaining of Norma and the critics seem to agree that the Lyric Opera debut is a show that shouldn’t be missed.

If you remain undecided about coming to Norma, we have a couple of teasers that may help you decide.

Last week Laura Spencer from KCUR did an interview with Brenda Harris about Norma.  Listen to the interview here.

We also have an excerpt from a dress rehearsal.  Watch Brenda Harris perform part of the classic aria “Casta Diva” and see what the buzz is about.

Rave Norma Reviews

Brenda Harris (Norma) and Laura Vlasak Nolen (Adalgisa) star in Norma. Photographer Karen Almond

The reviews are in and the wait for a Bellini opera “was well worth it.”  See what the reviewers are saying below, and if you don’t think the reviewers got it right leave your own review in the comments section.

Timothy McDonald of The Kansas City Star raves “Let there be no doubt about it – Bellinian “bel canto” is here in Kansas City, and the wait was worth it… Harris and Nolen were a compelling pair of rivals…together the pair of sopranos was most impressive.”  Read the entire review here.

Paul Horsley of The Independent raved Laura Vlasak Nolen portrayal of Norma’s rival Adalgisa, “Her gorgeous voice is filled with complex colors and liquid fire – a lush mezzo imbued with multiple dimensions and feelings.”  Read the entire review here. (You may need to scroll down to find the review)

Lee Hartman of KCmetropolis.org hails, “Brenda Harris, in the title role, treated the 1100-member audience on Saturday’s opening night to a master class of vocal elegance and beauty…Nolen and Harris’ duets were amazing.”  Read the entire review here.

Tom Ryan of Abozzos.com says, “Bellini is not the name for an Italian delicacy or dish, but after experiencing his opera “Norma”, I came away feeling as if I’d consumed a seven course feast for the soul. The combined ingredients of the complex score, the performing artists with their incredible instruments of voice, the orchestras nuanced precision, elegant atmospheric sets, the resonant narrative of an occupying Roman Army and the occupied people of Gaul, and the subtle lighting offered a rich sensory experience.”  Read the entire review here.

Grace Suh of The Pitch writes, “In one of the most technically demanding roles in the opera canon, a supple-voiced Harris showed absolute focus.”  Read the entire review here.

COMMANDOpera.com hails: “Miss Harris in the opinion of COMMANDOpera is nothing less than an American treasure, and should be valued as such for the roles she determines to bring to life.”  Read the entire review here.

Do you agree, think the reviewers left something out, or want to share your opinion?  Write your review of Norma in the comments section.

Norma Piano Dress Rehearsal

Last night, November 2nd, the drama from the elections had nothing on the drama that could be seen on the Lyric Theatre stage.  The piano dress rehearsal of Norma, which is the first full dress rehearsal, was held and we were able to get some footage of a scene from the production.  The scene, whose English translation means “She will die, consumed by her own vices,” occurs during Act I and features Brenda Harris as Norma, Luiz-Ottavio Faria as Oroveso, and some of the Chorus.  To help you understand the plot of the scene we have included a translation of the singing below the video.  Enjoy!

Translation:
NORMA
Are there those who dare
To raise seditious voices,
Warlike voices, before the altar of God?
Who dares to question my inspired words, Seeking to hasten the ordained fate of Rome?
That will not come through human efforts.

OROVESO
How long, then, must we remain oppressed By Rome? Have not the Roman eagles Sullied enough our native shores, Our ancestral temples? Brenno’s sword Can remain no longer idle.

ALL
Let that sword, for once, be brandished!

NORMA
And broken,
If one of you should draw it
Before the destined time. Not yet
Is the moment of our vengeance.
The Roman spears are still
Stronger than the Druids axes.

ALL
What command has God given you?
What prophecy?

NORMA
In the secret books of Heaven,
On a mortal page, I read
The name of proud Rome.
One day she shall die; but not at your hands.
She will die, consumed
By her own vices, Await that hour,
That fatal hour decreed by God.
And meanwhile, peace! I cut the sacred mistletoe.

Ready for a Command Performance?

Brenda Harris recently sat down with COMMANDOpera.com via Skype and discussed at length the title role in Norma, what is so difficult about the role, and how she prepares for it.  Ms. Harris also reflects on why it is as important for her to understand the psychology of the characters as it is to master the arias.

The interview is broken up into 6 parts and totals around 40 minutes.  It is insightful and informative and is a must watch for anyone coming to Norma.

Watch the complete interview here.  Or get a taste of the interview with the first part below.

Update:
COMMANDOpera.com is coming to Kansas City for Opening Night of Norma, read about it.

Get to know Brenda Harris

Brenda Harris stars as Norma

Carmen may have just ended, but we open Norma a month from now and want to start sharing some great material about Norma with you.  Brenda Harris, who will be singing the title role and made her Lyric Opera debut last season as Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, is considered one of the leading contemporary singers of the role.

Listen as Ms. Harris performs the Casta Diva aria.  Does goosebumps sum it up?

You can learn more about Ms. Harris on her website.

10 Questions with Brenda Harris

We recently spoke with Brenda Harris as she rehearsed for her role in Don Giovanni.  Ms. Harris shared some thoughts with us on her experiences as an opera singer as we ask her 10 questions.

1. How did your initial interest in the art form of opera begin?

Brenda: I was introduced to opera while in college and I went with friends many times to the Lyric Opera of Chicago.  Before my senior year, I was accepted into the chorus of Opera Theatre of St. Louis (just about 40 miles from my parents’ pig farm) and I was hooked the first day of rehearsal!  It’s also the day I met my husband!

2. Where did you grow up?

Brenda: New Douglas, IL…about 35 miles across the Mississippi river from St. Louis.  There are only 400 people in the town so that’s really the only way to explain where it is!

3. Do you have a significant other?

Brenda: I have a handsome, brilliant, musical, sensitive, PERFECT husband who also happens to be my voice teacher!

4. What is an average day like for you? Do you have a set routine?

Brenda: I generally do yoga stretching and/or take a walk in the woods or at the beach.  Then, tasking, tasking, tasking.  Bank, store, errands, cooking, home improvement duties and somewhere in there, maybe a little music!

5. What is your favorite opera to watch/experience?

Brenda: Whatever one I’m currently in!

6. Have you performed your role in Don Giovanni before?

Brenda: I really wouldn’t know where to begin!  I’ve been in 23 productions of Don Giovanni.  My very first role (in school) was Zerlina. Since then, I have sang many, many Donna Annas and also some Donna Elviras!

7. What language(s) do you speak fluently?

Brenda: None.  But, I can get around in France, Italy and Germany.

8. What facts about you would our audiences be surprised to learn?

Brenda: I’m a homebody.  HATE to travel.  I also hate learning music.

9. Name the opera role you haven’t performed, but would like to perform the most in your career?

Brenda: Arabella in Arabella, Leonora in Fidelio and pretty much ANY Verdi that I’ve missed so far… La Forza del Destino, Il trovatore, Attila…

10. If you bumped into me at a coffee shop and learned that I had never been to an opera before, what would you say to entice me to give it a try?

Brenda: Go online and search YouTube for ANYthing with Maria Callas or George London or Leonie Rysanak or Birgit Nilsson or pretty much anyone from the 50s through the 70s.   You’ll be hooked!  Then, come see it LIVE!