Round 3 of the Metropolitan Opera Live Broadcasts
March 2nd, 2010 gwenHello encore! opera lovers! We are heading out to see another opera broadcast from the Metropolitan Opera on Saturday, March 6th, 2010.
This time we are watching an encore performance of Richard Strauss’s “Der Rosenkavalier”! In addition, authentic MET programs, straight from New York, will be available as souvenirs! Der Rosenkavalier is a 3 act comedic opera set in the 1740’s in Vienna, Austria. It is a tale of love and unfortunate circumstance.
Here are the details:
What: The Metropolitan Opera’s broadcast of Der Rosenkavalier (Strauss)
When: Saturday, March 6, 2010 at 11am
Where: South Edmonton Common (1525 - 99 Street)
Who: encore! members, guests and the opera-curious - no membership in
encore! is required
What else: Lunch after the broadcast. Location TBD.
How much: $21
What to do: Join us in the theatre. The group will be sitting together in the front row of the raised section of the theatre. We’ll be in the front left side of the theatre (facing the screen). RSVP to Paul Grossman at paul.a.grossman@ca.pwc.com if you would like us to save you seats.
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »Triviata
March 1st, 2010 stellaI came across this interesting bit of opera triviata in an article by Phillip Jackson in last Saturday’s Globe and Mail:
THE QUESTION: Why do opera singers say “toi, toi, toi” to each other before going on stage? asks Nancy Coates of Guelph, Ont.
THE ANSWER: “It comes from the German word for devil, which is Teufel (pronounced TOY-fel) and is a variant of ‘break a leg’ and similar pre-performance sentiments,” writes Jennifer McIntyre of Toronto. Actors and singers, she says, attempt to confuse the gods (who are always assumed to be standing by, ready to pour bad luck on a performance) by wishing each other rotten luck which, in theory, will confuse the gods and cause them to pour good luck on the actors or singers instead.
But Adrienne Pollak of Toronto has a different explanation. “I have long understood that ‘toi, toi, toi!’ is a modern, more polite version of the old good-luck ritual of embracing somebody and spitting over his or her shoulder” three times. “When the spitting became frowned upon, one merely said the onomatopoeic … ‘toi! toi! toi!’ ”
So spit on the devil for good luck - only in opera!
Posted in Fun Opera Facts | 2 Comments »Arr, matey, get yer vittles before Pirates
February 10th, 2010 gwenIt’s a last minute reminder, but, for those of you going to Pirates of Penzance tomorrow night (Thursday, Feruary 11), reservtaions have been made at L’Azia (downtown at the City Centre Mall) for 5:00 p.m. for Encore’s Supper Club. All are welcome! RSVP to Stuart at stukehrig@hotmail.com.
Posted in Events | 1 Comment »Enterprise String Quartet!
February 10th, 2010 ChengCheck this out encore!
On Tuesday, February 16, 2010, at 4:30pm, the Enterprise String Quartet will present celebrated masterworks by Haydn and Beethoven in the Atrium of the Enterprise Square, downtown Edmonton - 10230 Jasper Avenue, direct access through the Bay/Enterprise LRT station.
This is a free concert; all are welcome.
PROGRAM:
F. J. Haydn (1732-1809) - String Quartet in E-flat major, op. 76 no. 6*
L. v. Beethoven (1770-1827) - String Quartet in C major, op. 59 no. 3, ‘Rasumovsky’
For more info: www.music.ualberta.ca/enterprise.cfm
Posted in Events | No Comments »Encore! members are movie stars… again
January 25th, 2010 briannaWhat a weekend for Edmonton Opera! We had the Met broadcast of Tales of Hoffman on Saturday, which coincided with Edmonton Opera and the Press Gallery’s “I want to be a Pirate” contest at West Edmonton Mall. Then on Sunday, some encore! members trekked out to the Edmonton Opera warehouse for the filming of “Brian Deedrick and the Opera-teers, episode 3: Otello.“
Rob waits in the wings while Katrina films the action
Trantrums were had, Paul demanded a better soundcheck, Sean consumed copious juiceboxes, Brian rendered Katrina temporarily deaf, and the scary heads made a cameo appearance in the chest above Gwen’s head. A great time was had by all and I think I managed to not crush anyone’s dreams with my caustic directorial wit.
Sean gets into character as the evil Iago ... with an eyepatch.
With Brian Deedrick’s brilliant suggestions, we hope we have avoided what Brian calls “egg sandwich” moments – where things are supposed to be funny, but end up just kind of squishy. Nothing against egg sandwiches, of course, but the operateers are all about keeping the opera synopses funny and light — even when dealing with dark tragedies like Otello.
I can’t wait to see the finished product (which will be airing February 16th on youtube), and most importantly, the blooper reel. We might have a private screening for that one!
we all looked on in eager anticipation while David prepared with a coke for his... special .... sound effects!
Posted in Backstage, Uncategorized, operateers! | 3 Comments »
Off to Offenbach!
January 19th, 2010 stellaWe are heading out to see another opera broadcast from the Metropolitan Opera this Saturday, January 23th, 2010, this time an encore performance of Jacques Offenbach’s “The Tales of Hoffmann”!
The Tales of Hoffmann is a 3 act opera where a poet, Hoffmann, tells stories describing the 3 loves of his life: a robot, a courtesan and a singer. You can find a synopsis here.
(And if something sounds familiar, you might recall the “Barcarolle” number in Act 2 from the movie “Life is Beautiful”.)
Here are the details:
What: The Metropolitan Opera’s broadcast of The Tales of Hoffman (Offenbach)
When: Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 11am
Where: Cineplex Scotiabank Theatre, West Edmonton Mall (8882 - 170 Street)
Who: encore! members, guests and the opera-curious
What else: Brunch after the broadcast at a location TBD.
How much: $21
What to do: Join us at the front of the theatre (at the top of the escalators) at about 10:30am. RSVP to Paul Grossman at paul.a.grossman@ca.pwc.com to save you seats so that the group can sit together.
Please see Cheng’s review of the show in the previous posting - it sounds fantastic and definitely not your standard opera fare!
Tags: MET Live in HD, OffenbachPosted in Events | No Comments »
The Tales of Hoffman! Oh Man!
January 14th, 2010 ChengHello fellow Encore members,
If you love SEX, DRINKING and DARK SECRETS - then HOFFMAN is for you!
I was fortunate enough to see the live showing of Hoffman before Christmas because I can’t make the 23rd encore presentation.
BUT I have to tell you right now - that it is a must see!
A very slick, modern and wildly SEXY production! We were captivated from start to end! The individual performances for the Hoffman, the Muse and Hoffman’s nemesis were incredible.
But the most memorable performances for us were of Olympia (the doll) and Antonia. Both Kathleen Kim and Anna Netrebko were completely amazing, drawing the audience into their alluring performance.
Plus, as always the in between acts backstage interviews were to die for :) I just love the corny interviews and the backstage looks at the MET! I can’t wait for Encore! members to see the performance on the 23rd - so we can share our impressions!
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »We’re Singing in the New Year! (actually, let’s leave the singing to the pros)
January 12th, 2010 stellaGet ready to ring in 2010 with Edmonton Opera and encore!
Make it your New Year’s resolution to see “Pirates of Penzance” in February (you’ll laugh) and “Otello” in April (you’ll cry). Oh, and there’s a special production - no big deal, just a world premier - with Alberta Ballet also in April called “Songs of a Wayfarer/Seven Deadly Sins”.
And psst, “Storm the Stage” will be back this year, but bigger, louder and with a twist - this time, we’re “Rocking the House”.
Want to know more? There’s so much to tell you about the upcoming year - and so many opportunities to get involved! So please join us on Tuesday, January 19 at the Pint (10125-109 Street) at around 6:00 pm for some beer, wings and opera - we’ll unveil our devilish plans for the rest of the season. You can find further details under “events” - and feel free to bring any opera-curious friends.
So keep your eye on this page as we get ready to rip it up in 2010!
Tags: Storm the Stage, The PintPosted in Events | No Comments »
Brian’s Blog
December 18th, 2009 colleenHi guys,
I just got word that Edmonton Opera’s Artistic Director, Brian Deedrick has started a blog. Anyone who was at Encore’s recent “Dinner with Brian” or anyone who has seen one of the Operateer viral videos will agree that there is never a dull moment around Brian Deedrick, so it should make for a great read.
Check it out and link to follow the blog at:
http://bjdeedrick.blogspot.com/
Posted in Back at the office | 1 Comment »The Opera Love Boat
December 16th, 2009 colleenDid anyone else catch this in the Journal this morning? Perhaps the venue for a future encore event?
Cheers,
Colleen
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments » « Previous Entries |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |