Spring Break
Fun evening at the opera
Sally King
Issue date: 4/13/09 Section: Features
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The story line, if you are not familiar with it, is about two Gondoliers, Marco and Giuseppe who choose their brides by being blindfolded. The plot has a twist and they are told shortly after their wedding, that one of them is the King of Barataria and is already married to Casilda, the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Plaza Toro. Casilda, who is secretly in love with a common servant, is afraid she will never love her husband she was married to by proxy as a baby. The only woman who knows which gondolier is king is the maidservant who raised the boy and must be found. The mystery is unraveled when the maidservant is found.
Andrew Nickell and Harry Sadler played the role of the two Gondoliers. Nickell is a senior at Sacramento State, getting his degree in music performance.
"I am an aspiring opera singer," Nickell said. "These last few weeks before opening night have been insane. We didn't get our costumes till yesterday, the day before the play opened."
Valerie Boles, whose son Adam is in the opera said she loves opera and sings all of the time.
"I like the way the play was choreographed, " Boles said. I think the cast is really into it, I'm truly being entertained."
Elizabeth Berkley played the role of Casilda, who is the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Piaza Toro. Berkley teaches music to young children.
"We rehearsed for this opera two hours a day everyday for two weeks," Berkley said. "What I liked most tonight was being the queen."
The orchestra was well rehearsed. The music was uplifting and made the distinction of what a light opera is. It gave me a feeling of joy and the anticipation of what was going to happen next was always there.
Ellen Presley, a junior studying voice performance, played the role of Tessa, a contadina, who is the bride of Giuseppe Palmieri, one of the Gondoliers. She had an outstanding performance and gave the impression that this was as much fun for her as it was for the audience.
"I have been performing on stage since I was 5-years-old," Presley said. "I think this opera is age-appropriate. Getting into the dialogue was very challenging."
Kathryn Brown, English freshman, said she came because she had a friend performing in the opera and Gilbert and Sullivan is one of her favorites.
" I am very impressed by the performance," Brown said.
The performers were outstanding and each voice could be beautifully heard. If I had to choose one singer that stood out for me, it was Will Tvrdik, who played the role of Don Alhambra del Bolero, the Grand Inquisitor. His baritone voice was expressive with an excellent, dynamic range.
Bravo to each performer.
Sally King can be reached at sking@statehornet.com
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