World-class opera close to home? It's possible! The Ridgefield Playhouse presents three operas direct from the Met, Live in HD, starting with Verdi's innovative Las Vegas-style production of Rigoletto, with Piotr Beczala, Želijko Lucic and Diana Damrau, on Thursday, June 26. Puccini's La Rondine features Angela Gheorghiu and Roberto Alagna as the star-crossed lovers on Wednesday, July 2. Verdi's Shakespearean masterpiece Otello on Wednesday, July 9, stars Johan Botha in the title role opposite Desdemona played by acclaimed soprano Renée Fleming. These encore performances start at 6 p.m. Close-up camera angles, behind-the-scenes tours and interviews make these events a summer treat.
According to an Associated Press article, the Met General Manager Peter Gelb called on Tony- Award winning Director Michael Mayer to make his opera debut and replace the Met's traditional 1989 staging of Rigoletto. This modern production of what Verdi had in mind when he wrote Rigoletto more than two centuries ago is full of surprises including the casino setting, instead of a Duke's palace, and an elevator, instead of a ladder. And, what to say about the neon glare of the Vegas Strip? Mayer suggested that Beczala think of Frank Sinatra for his role as the Duke, a casino mogul/lounge singer on the Strip. The character Rigoletto is more reminiscent of Don Rickles or Joey Bishop than of a court jester. Marullo is reminiscent of Dean Martin, and Borsa reminds one of Peter Lawford. This may be just the opera that non-opera aficionados should attend to get hooked.
In Verdi's Shakespearean masterpiece Otello, Johan Botha sings the title role opposite the acclaimed Desdemona of star soprano Renée Fleming. Seymon Bychkov conducts, and Elijah Moshinsky is in charge of production. It's a star-studded cast completed by Falk Struckmann and Michael Fabiano. Bernard's (20 West Lane, Ridgefield) is offering a special $45 prix-fixe menu, or a free glass of wine with dinner, the night of these events when tickets are presented; reservations suggested. This series is underwritten by Jeanne Cook, Anita and Nicholas Donofrio, Liz and Steven Goldstone, Marilyn and Joe Kreitz, Joanne and John Patrick, Starbucks Coffee, Sabina and Walter Slavin, Taylor Zemo Foundation, The Ridgefield Press and Whistle Stop Bakery.
For tickets ($25 adults, $20 seniors/members, $15 students, $18 each for all in the series), call the box office at (203) 438-5795, or order online atridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT.