As soon as I got back from vacation I started attending Philadelphia’s first Opera festival. It is called O17 and I am really happy that we are trying to do something a little different this year. Sam and I are part of Opera Philadelphia’s Vivace group. Which the opera calls “Opera Philadelphia’s community for the young professional”. Young is relative, as there are no octogenarians in Vivace, and the professional part seems boring, but it is an affordable way to get season tickets to premium seats. I wish it was tagged “Opera Philadelphia’s community for the young enthusiast,” but they are cultivating donors. I get it.
We started with the Magic Flute on Friday. I have never seen this opera, and the stage was a blank white canvas with projected animation. It was really good. Sam told me that there is a lot of spoken dialogue in this opera, and they handle that by projecting the text on the stage to convey a silent film. It was nicely done, and it is a production that I think everyone should go and see. Rachel Sterrenberg plays Pamina and she is really wonderful.
Last night we went to see We Shall Not Be Moved. It’s a new opera set in the shadow of the MOVE bombing, about 5 teenagers running from the tragedy and circumstance that set them up for victimhood. The subject matter is top-notch and I hope we get more contemporary operas that are this strong. I thought the dancers were an excellent addition, though Sam did not appreciate them.
I found the writing for the police officer to be a bit cliché, and there was a bit too much spoken word for me. It is supposed to be an opera after all. It is completely sold out in Philadelphia, but I think it is supposed to open at the Apollo in New York. If this subject matters interests, make sure you go see it. I thought the singer John Holiday was incredible.
I am having a good time with the festival. I am really glad the opera is doing it, and I hope it sets our opera up for more innovative productions in the future.