Photo: Chronica Domus
What is it about opera that immediately floods one's mind with images of overbearing ladies in horned helmets and stuffy gentlemen dressed in tailcoats nodding off in the box seats, à la Tuppy Glossop of Jeeves & Wooster fame? If you've shied away from attending an operatic performance for these reasons alone, you are missing a marvelously entertaining evening, at least that is if you pass up the opportunity of seeing Rossini's The Italian Girl In Algiers.
Our evening's entertainment beckons
Photo: Chronica Domus
My family and I were guests of dear friends, one of whom being among the evening's musicians, at last Saturday night's opening performance. This comedy-filled opera was staged at the beautifully renovated California Theater in San Jose. Built in 1927 as a movie palace, the theater is a perfect jewel-box of intimate scale and fabulous acoustics, where the orchestra's glorious notes waft effortlessly throughout the venue and fill the audience with sheer delight. We sat in the orchestra section which was a mere twenty rows deep, affording us unobstructed views of the mayhem and madness being played out on stage. No need for opera glasses this evening.
The opulent lobby of the California Theater bathed in golden light
Photo: Chronica Domus
A view of the stage and the meticulously restored domed ceiling
Photo: Chronica Domus
The Italian Girl In Algiers is a perfect opera for beginners and one that will certainly sway you from any misconception that opera is well, how shall I put this delicately, a pastime for pretentious stuffy types. This is the first opera my twelve year old daughter has attended and she was absolutely riveted by the witty and beautifully sung dialogue chock full of comedic antics in a world of palaces and harems in far away lands. I do not recall there being a dull moment during the two and a half hour performance. In fact, we were having such a wildly amusing time that the interval between the two acts arrived faster than we had anticipated. The cast was especially entertaining as they entertained us, their captive audience, singing sublimely in Italian. The story is easily followed with the aid of super-titles in English that are projected high above the stage.
Mustafa, the lecherous and foolhardy Bey of Algiers, tires of his wife and demands his captain find him an Italian girl, the sort that "drives men mad", which he soon does with the aid of his pirates. Isabella, the newly captured Italian girl, uses her womanly charms and head-strong ways to outsmart Mustafa, who inevitably tires of her antics so back to Italy she happily sails. There is much physical comedy to this opera, especially from the lead male character Mustafa, who was played brilliantly by Mr. Nathan Stark. Mr. Stark possesses the most extraordinary elastic facial expressions to bring Mustafa to life, and a stentorian voice that booms throughout the theater.
I unashamedly took this sneaky snap (sans flash) of the curtain call where the entire cast received a well deserved standing ovation - Bravo!
Photo: Chronica Domus
I consider opera to be very underrated in today's world where most of us seek our entertainment via electronic means. I believe it to be the most creative of the performing arts. Where else can one go to hear live music, experience passionate acting and singing, and view exquisitely lush costumes and stage sets? It really is a terrific treat to behold.
Back in 1813, when Gioachino Rossini was a young lad of twenty, The Italian Girl In Algiers became a huge hit, affording him rock star status and catapulting him to international fame. Today, his opera stands the test of time and is still able to provoke peals of laughter and joy from audiences two centuries later.
If you've yet to have the privilege of attending an evening of opera, please do yourself a favor and seek one out. You may want to begin with a comedic opera, such as this, which will surely delight and inspire.
Have you attended an opera, and if so was the experience positive? Please do share your thoughts on this form of entertainment that is so very often maligned.
Nota bene: I am neither paid nor do I receive recompense in exchange for applauding products or services within my blog. I do so because I enjoy them. If you are a kindred spirit, you too enjoy recommending nice things to fellow good eggs.