Viva la mamma!
Music by Gaetano Donizetti
West Bay Opera, October 2003
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West Bay Opera’s 48th Season (2003-2004) Viva la mamma! Music by Gaetano Donizetti West Bay Opera, October 2003 |
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Music Director: David Sloss, Stage Director: Jonathon Field, Set Design: Jean-François Revon, Costume Design: Richard W. Battle, Lighting Design: Chad Bonaker
Setting –
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Il Gran Teatro, Rimini, during rehearsals for the opera Romulus and Ersilia |
Time –
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1960s |
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The Russian tenor Guglielmo Antolstoinolonoff (Joshua La Force), Corilla Sartinecchi (Marnie Breckenridge), and Luigia Boschi (Heidi Moss) begin a rehearsal for the première of Romulus and Ersilia. |
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Mamma Agatha (Michael Strelo-Smith) informs the composer Vincenzo Biscroma (Rodrigo Gomez) that her daughter Luigia (Heidi Moss) must have an important aria. The prima donna Corilla (Marnie Breckenridge) and her husband Stefano (Michael Taylor) disagree. The Impresario (Todd Donavan) and the librettist Orazio Prospero (Paul Thompson) watch the negotiations with the Russian tenor (Joshua La Force). |
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The Russian tenor (Joshua La Force) practices Romulus’s aria to Ersilia (Marnie Breckenridge) who is stunned by lyrics like:
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When the contralto departs in a huff, Mamma Agatha convinces the Impresario (Todd Donavan) to let her try out for the part. |
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The Russian tenor, complaining that “Mamma yowling like a cat,” also resigns from the cast. |
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The composer (Rodrigo Gomez), the librettist (Paul Thompson), and Stefano (Michael Taylor) are stunned to learn that funding will be withdrawn from the opera if the Russian tenor does not appear. |
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Stefano (Michael Taylor) is persuaded to take on the tenor role and is soon marching in costume with Luigia (Heidi Moss), as Ersilia (Marnie Breckenridge) writhes in chains of captivity. |
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Mamma Agatha (Michael Strelo-Smith) tries to rehearse an aria as Ersilia (Marnie Breckenridge) attempts to upstage her. |
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Stefano (Michael Taylor) finds it nearly impossible to find his spotlight. |