It is easy to grasp why Les Fêtes de Thalie was big success in its day, liberating to some extent a repressed society from strict leisure guidelines, reminiscent I consider arrival of rock and roll within the America of the Nineteen Fifties, i.e. the Ed Sullivan selection present on TV wouldn’t present Elvis beneath the waist, his gyrations offending lots of the older set. I additionally agree with Momus that every ingredient of opera-ballet, the music and singing, the story and poetry, and dance are items to its viewers. It’s also straightforward to see how such a piece as Fêtes could possibly be profitable right now in a time once we can sorely use some entertainments with out disappointment, particularly if delivered with the in depth investigation, authenticity, the top quality of performers, attraction, and delight of Opera Lafayette productions. As soon as once more, OL has introduced ahead a largely forgotten, however nonetheless worthy, work inside a framework totally accessible to trendy audiences. Bravo!
The Fan Expertise: Opera Lafayette scheduled performances for Les Fêtes de Thalie on Might 3 and 4 within the Terrace Theater of the Kennedy Heart. The efficiency was about 2.5 hours together with one intermission. The opera-ballet was carried out in French with English subtitles proven overhead. Soprano Margot Rood was initially a part of the forged however needed to withdraw on account of well being causes; her roles have been sung by Paulina Francisco.
Opera Lafayette is providing a printed program guide for the season of Madame de Maintenon for a $5 cost; it contains knowledgeable essays for every of this season’s productions. An internet model is out there without spending a dime at this hyperlink. The pre-opera speak hosted by Ryan Brown and that includes a chat by music historian Professor Rebecca Harris-Warrick befell one hour earlier than the efficiency. She labored with Opera Lafayette in planning this work and has a function article in this system guide. I searched in useless for a recording of the opera-ballet.
An OL fund elevating gala is deliberate for Might 7 in NYC and performances in NYC have been scheduled for:
October 26, 2023, Couperin Le Grand on the Kosciuszko Basis
Might 7, 2024, Les Fêtes de Thalie at Museo del Barrio
Might 9, 2024, From Saint-Cyr to Cannons: Moreau and Handel’s Ester in St. Peter’s Church
