If you’re not sure that opera’s really your
thing, I can’t think of a better way to whet your appetite than Halifax
Summer Opera Workshop’s Opera Excerpts. The program, which takes
pieces from different types of opera from baroque to modern, has
something to please almost everyone. Some things, such as the
Green-Acres-esque marital misunderstanding in “Oh Happy We” or the
manic and amazing vocal gymnastics in “Glitter and be Gay,” are
humourous, others, like “Laurie’s Song” from Aaron Copland’s The
Tender Land, are truly moving. The show is creatively staged and
performed by some amazingly talented young people. The piece de
resistance is the Act 1 Finale from Cosi fan tutte. Believe me;
no translation is needed to explain the passion and merriment that
unfolds on stage.
Sir James Dunn Theatre, 6101 University, Fri Aug 14, 7:30pm, Sun Aug
16, 2:30pm, $20/$15/$5
This article appears in Aug 13-19, 2009.