I used to love playing in the orchestra for the Tacoma Opera. I remember playing trumpet, bringing scores, and learning a ton of music. I was luck to have played Tosca, La Boheme, Falstaff, Magic Flute, Marriage of Figaro, and many other works... I learned so much from this experience. There are so many variables that have to come together to make teh production work: costumes, acting, singing, orchestra. And there are some crazy performance practices and traditions that sometimes defy what's written on the page! I was really fortunate to have many of these opera experiences under the baton of Benton Hess - music director of the Eastman Opera Theater, at the Eastman School on music.
This weekend the Tacoma Opera will present it's third and final opera for this 2014-15 season - Gounod's Romeo and Juliette. It is a classic, tragic love tale, told through the wonderful melodies of French composer, Charles Gounod. I think what makes this so wonderful is how Gounod's melodies transport the familiar tale into something different from Shakespeare. It is a special piece, and you should check it out.
Friday, April 10 at 7:30 PM
Sunday, April 12, at 2:00 PM
Both performances at the Pantages Theater.
More information: http://www.tacomaopera.com/upcoming-events/Romeo-Juliette/
Here's a famous aria from the opera to entice your ears!
