Now I am decidedly not going to divulge much of what to expect from the story of Lillian Alling, as that is certainly some of the beauty of this Opera.  Just be told that this is a story of Canadian beginnings and one that rings true to so many of our ancestors that came to this new land looking for a fresh start.  It was actually this at first that I wasn’t quite so sure of. I am so used to being whipped away at the Opera to foreign lands and adventures and with this set I saw the familiar.  Whilst initially not quite sure about this, this grew on me, especially as I was taken from Coast to Coast and throughout history.  I liked the sense of familiarity and knowledge that I belonged to this story. It also occurred to me that Lillian Alling beautifully depicts Canada and our history for the World Stage.

Photo by Tim Matheson

The sense of familiarity is what makes this an excellent Opera for an Opera Virgin, which my date for the evening was.  It allowed him his first taste of the Opera in an environment that he could relate to and where every experience was not completely alien to him. It also meant the majority of the Opera was in a language he could understand – English – which certainly reduces the anxiety of someone new to this form of Art.  So guys – a really good one to take your gals to and impress them on how culturally adventuresome you are.  I know my date did just that by being such an eager participant in the experience (he even wore a tux).

So the highlights for me?  Well as far as the story is concerned, the true tear jerking beauty that is the story that many a Canadian can relate to (not giving away any spoilers here) comes in Act II. And wow, what a rich Act it is.  Act I establishes the scene, but as is often done in Canadian literature, when it comes to trekking across this great country of ours, they do seem to let the journey lag a little.  Yes, we get it, it is a big country and a tremendously long journey. That said, I do see how that is important to the story and illustrating Lillian Alling’s determination.

Photo by Tim Matheson

Story aside, two real stars shone out for me in this Opera – the beautifully haunting music and Judith Forst (as Irene).  Wow!  To still be singing in the Opera in her 70s and to have a voice far superior to her younger counterpart in the role of Lillian on the stage.  Must say it really was a gift to see the beauty of experience over that of youth (which is so often valued on the stage).  An absolutely outstanding performance Judith, thank you for that.  And having learnt that the music of Irene was specifically created for Judith Forst, I must say, I am very intrigued to see who is cast in this role in the future and how they carry the role.

Finally I would be remiss in not mentioning a few of the male performances that I very much enjoyed.  Specifically that of Aaron St. Clair Nicholson as Scotty McDonald, and Thomas Goerz, who made a most believable Jozef.  Brilliant casting here.

So it’s not too late.  Show starts at 7:30 pm. Tickets are half price at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre box office between 12 pm – 4 pm today.

You see I’ve been invited to Fan Night at the Vancouver Opera for the World Premiere of Lillian Alling!  Can hardly wait!  As you know, I always relished going backstage at the Opera last season and seeing the magnificent sets and props, but Thursday night is bound to be equally special with a pre-Opera chat with Principal Répétiteur & Assistant Chorus Director Kinza Tyrrell.  Was privileged enough to attend a similar chat before Madama Butterfly last season and it really opened up the Opera to me in a whole new light.  And the best part is, this chat is not just for me, but all who partake in Fan Night at the Opera!

Photo by Tim Matheson

Now having just done a little research into Lillian Alling, the Opera itself, I’m even more excited.  You see I’m a huge history buff and being somewhat narcissistic, I especially salivate over history that somehow pertains to my existence, and this Opera definitely does that, and in a story of intrigue, mystery, survival and love.  A contemporary Opera that explores the journeys of new Canadians and the early settlers of BC. And Lillian is a Russian immigrant no less, yet another part of my history that buzzes at the edge of my brain (you do know that I either come from Russian aristocracy or a family of spies?).  Just listen to music overlaying this history of the real Lillian Alling and it will have you gripped on the edge of your seat salivating for more, at least thats what it does to me.

Very much looking forward to this and hopefully running into a few of you there too on Thursday night.  If not, you can still catch the final performance of Lillian Alling at the Vancouver Opera on Saturday October 23, 2010. Can’t wait!

Kisses,

Emme xoxo

PS A Lillian Alling Review from my ever so dashing hummingbird604 – Lillian Alliang World Premiere

PPS A few Lillian Alling Reviews from Lillian Alling Opening Night Bloggers:

• Miranda Lievers
• Stacey Robinsmith
• Frances Sprout
• Nik Belonio

As I’ve mentioned before, I have a great love for sec dec in the film world.  Well, after having received a much more intimate view of the Opera and what goes on behind the scenes, I must say the Opera puts film to shame.  The amount of planning, creativity and choreography that goes into creating the set at the Vancouver Opera is outstanding. They create wonderful pieces of art and that’s before you add the performers to the stage.

Photographed by Tim Matheson

The Vancouver Opera’s Madama Butterfly was no exception.  Quite the contrary.  It was the most emotionally evocative set of the season (for me, at least).  And this actually quite surprised me, as at first glance, it was somewhat reminiscent of a three ring circus. Married with the players and the music, this set transformed into one of the most beautiful pieces I have ever seen on the stage or the screen.  By the end of the first Scene, I was on the brink of tears, it was so beautiful.  Oh and as a little aside here, I loved that as this is a Japanese Opera, that the Japanese art of shadow puppetry was used to help set the scene, in LIFE SIZE!!!

All the credit cannot go to the set, however, as the musicians and the players created some of the most beautiful auditory experiences that I have ever had in the Opera.  And really such a treat, with Mihoko Kinoshita, arguably the premiere Madama Butterfly of her day, and the mouth watering James Valenti as Pinkerton, who has certainly begun to emerge as one of the Opera greats.

The experience was only added to, by the fact that I was invited to a pre-show talk with Assistant Stage Manager, Theresa Tsang.  This made it so much more interesting to understand why there were men dressed all in black, what the concentric rings were on the stage, and just how much attention the players had to pay to learning to move in a cultural appropriate manner for this Opera.  Have you ever tried to move like a geisha?  It’s damn hard.  Highly recommend you take in similar talks next season, if you get the opportunity.

Photographed by Tim Matheson

Perhaps what I love the most about the Opera though, is that it makes me reflect on my own life, my wants, my hidden desires, and my insecurities. Madama Butterfly was once again no exception to this. It is a tale of … for him: a relationship of convenience …. and for her: an escape from her present reality.  For her, she was swept off her feet into a seductive world, that came at the stake of loss to all she had known and her childhood ties, but with the promise for a better future. For him, she was an exotic trifle to entertain him until he could return to his own world.

As I watched, I was reminded that I’m getting older. I want a family and children.  I’ve had men that saw me as an exotic flavour parade themselves in front of me, presenting lavish gifts. My mind has wondered, am I being too picky?  I am, after all, getting older.  But I don’t want to find myself as the current day trifle or in a marriage of convenience. I want the real deal – a man that loves and respects me for me, not an unreal fantasy.  And that I feel the same way about. I don’t want to settle with good enough or with anyone that creates a rift or a disconnect between me and my family.

Photographed by Tim Matheson

Watching the last act unfold, broke my heart for Madama Butterfly, and reminded me how incredibly fortunate I am to have grown up in the country and with the family that I have. I am any mans equal and am unlikely ever to be presented with the sort of predicament that Madama Butterfly found herself in.

Perhaps one of the greatest victims of the situation, however, was the new Mrs. Pinkerton.  What horror to discover your husband already married and his disregard for his first wife as simply a delectable trifle that came with a work apartment abroad. What guilt to take the only thing of love this first wife had left, even if it was for the best for the child.  What would I do if I was faced with such a predicament?  Could I continue to be with a man that was such a coward or with such little regard for the mother of his child?

Certainly makes one think …

Kisses,

Emme xoxo

PS This season of the Vancouver Opera is not quite over. There are still performances of Madama Butterfly tonight and on Thursday June 8th.

Photographer: Tim Matheson

The Opera itself is Madama Butterfly, which promises to be a tear jerker. A tale of a broken heart and unrequainted love. Sort of sounds a little like my past week at the Yorkton Film Festival.  Although, maybe that’s more of one of star crossed lovers, kept apart by circumstance, or in my case geography. Rather hoping its the later, and not simply that in Yorkton I am just a love of convenience (or am I the young naval officer, from Madama Butterfly, that leaves, as I was the one that left after all?). Really all very circumspect and silly as NOTHING happened in Yorkton (aside from spending quality time with a number of folks whom I love and admire).

As for tonight’s Opera, here are a few Opening Night Reviews:

… and the voice of the absolutely scrumptious male lead:

More after the show. For now, packing my kleenex and off to grab my cheap parking spot before they are all gone.

And don’t worry, if you miss tonight’s ticket deal, you can still catch Madama Butterfly at the Vancouver Opera and Queen Elizabeth Theatre June 5th, 8th and 10th.

As a kid, that is what I did all day.  I came up with different stories, in different ways and enticed my buds to act them out by turning them into games.  No scripts were handed out, as then they’d realize what I was up to, plus to be frank, as an actress I prefer improvising. So there was me and my little gang of boys and without them realizing that we were actually putting on a play, I’d get them making costumes or puppets, and building sets, props and puppet theatres and acting out the play itself, all unaware.

Walking on to the set of Nixon in China at the Vancouver Opera the other night took me right back there, to my childhood.  And that, my friends is a very, very good thing, as I had an absolutely grand childhood filled with stories and imagination.  In fact I think being taking back to my roots is exactly what I needed to refocus myself on what I truly love about storytelling as opposed to the confused spiral of not being sure which direction I’ve been heading in as of late.

On the Set of Nixon in China

Why did it take me back to the carefree days of my childhood?  Well, initially, it was the set.  The set of Nixon in China is in essence a giant puppet theatre – like the magnetic puppet theatres that you had as a kid.  You know the one that you could lower different cardboard cut out scenes into.  Well these were huge cardboard cut out scenes with high tech apparatus for getting them to dance into the scene at the click of a button – literally.  Can we say kid in a candy store?  My eyes were hungrily popping out of my head.

Nixon inChina Set - A life size puppet theatre!!!

And the performance itself, only excited my mind with storytelling bliss that much more!  The toys and storytelling elements they had to play with were awesome!  I was so completely jealous of the storytellers, and they did such a good job of marrying the elements together.  They had giant screens to project moving pictures and scenery on to, movable 3D scenery, an actual working and filming camera that was seamlessly worked into the story, and then, of course, the players themselves.

And players were wonderful!  Robert Orth painted such a believable Richard Nixon that it was almost comical and Thomas Hammons as Henry Kissinger kept making me giggle.  What great character actors!  And they did it all whilst delivering their dialog in what seemed like ease in an operatic voice. Wow! Perhaps my favourite part of the action though was the Chinese Ballet in Act II.  What an incredible treat! Not only Opera, but the ballet too!  And despite the rather gruesome story that Fei Guo was telling, she was absolutely entrancing to watch.  Brought tears to your eyes, it was so beautiful! And a laugh to my lips every time I saw the clash with Thomas Hammons’ antics in the ballet.

The Players of Nixon in China

Now at the end of the day, despite the quality of all the other elements, it really comes down to story. So was the story there for me?  Yes.  Granted it was a bit of a different story with no resolve in the end, but it made me think and it told a story of a time in history. I have always loved historical story.  But damn!  Now I have to read up on the politics of  China and the US in the early 70s. Finally, despite the fact that Act III was my least favourite and reminded me somewhat of the drunken elephant scene in Dumbo, it brought up a very real question, one that I have been struggling with as of late.  What is it all for?  What have we really accomplished?

I highly recommend catching a performance of Nixon in China. It will certainly make you think. You can catch it in Vancouver – tonight (the 16th), Thursday the 18th and Saturday the 20th.

For more reviews from my fellow bloggers at the Opening Night of Nixon in China, take a read at:

• Stacey Robinsmith Dot Com
• Gus Digital
• A View From the Isle
• Hummingbird604
• DarrenBarefoot.com

Stacey and I at the Canadian Premiere of Nixon in China

Crew Mantle on Stage

As an extra special treat, I was also invited on a tour backstage.  You couldn’t have given me a more delightful present! I love seeing the wonders of backstage production.  There are so many talented artists behind the scenes of the Opera and other theatrical masterpieces that we don’t celebrate in the same way as we do with the performers, and these talented folk are artists too and deserve our applause.  The set dec are indeed one of the elements of the Vancouver Opera that has always really impressed me and thats been from my perspective in the audience. Well, once your on stage this enters a whole new realm of impressiveness. I was in awe!  Phenomenal pieces of artwork!

The next element of Saturday’s Opera that struck me with utter emotion was the Orchestra.  Such beautiful music!!  As they started to play their haunting melodies, much of the stress of the past few weeks washed off me, as I was enraptured and taken away by the music. Couldn’t find any of their music for you from Norma, but this is a little teaser from an outdoor summer laser show they did in Seattle (poor recording, doesn’t quite do them justice):

One of the Talented Members of the Orchestra (in the tux)

The final treat for me came in the story of Norma itself. I knew that Norma was a tragically haunting tale of Druid Priestesses and Romans, and a secret affair, but I’d never heard / seen the tale of Norma played out.  Well, as I watched, enraptured, it struck me that this was a tale of women struggling to find their way in this world, to balance work and family, and deal with the pressures that society places on them. Even though Vincenzo Bellini wrote Norma in 1831, this could just as easily be a tale of the dilemmas facing women now.  Only difference is now, as women, we think these struggles that we face – balancing career, family and societal expectations – are new to our era.  Reality check gals: they’re not. Norma illustrates that women have been facing these same pressures for two centuries or more. Only then, the stakes were much higher for us women.  If they were honoured with the power and respect that came with the position of a priestess, then that was at the expense of all else, including love. Love for anyone but their God was punishable by death, and an excruciatingly painful one for both you and your lover.  And god forgive, if that woman were to actually have children with that lover, what would become of the children?  Those children that represented her shame and her deceit?  That is, at least, how society would perceive them.  Makes our dilemmas seem somewhat lighter affairs, doesn’t it?

Photo by Tim Matheson

But the story of  Norma is far deeper than just our struggles as woman.  It tells a tale that totally pulled at my heart strings.  You see there is deceit.  The deceit of a man to two unsuspecting women. Often as women, when such deceit exists, we become at odds with one another and can be exceedingly cruel and malicious to one another, pushing the other down for our gain.  The beauty of this tale is that the women, even though hurt, gained solidarity, supported one another and gained the love of a trusted friend. The pressures that these women faced brought them closer together. It pains me that, as women, we do not behave in this fashion, supporting one another, more often.

I also loved that in the end, despite the man’s deceit, there was forgiveness, because we have to remember that he too faced the extreme pressures of the woman’s career.  For heavens sake, he couldn’t be with the woman he loved, who mothered his children, for fear for all of their lives.  Talk about pressures in the world of relationships and dating.  Makes my dating pitfalls seem relatively minor.

Photo by Tim Matheson

Quite the night out, huh?

Your not too late if you wish to catch a performance of Norma at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. There are three more performances on December 1st, 3rd and 5th.  I’d suggest the 1st or 5th, as December 3rd is the Reading is Sexy Launch Party and Literary Celebration.

Oh and despite popular believe, the Opera is not inaccessible. Yes, its a treat, but you can get a ticket for as little as $29. Not cheap, but comparable to a really nice meal out.

For other reviews of this past Saturday Night at the Vancouver Opera’s performance of Norma, check out: Crew Mantle, Kelsey, John Biehler and Gus Digital.

Two of My Dashing Escorts for the Evening

As such I give you this review with mixed feelings.  They’re mixed, because I didn’t get to go to the dress rehearsal of Vancouver’s latest opera, Carmen, last night, rather Raul Pacheco and Tris Hussey got to go.  And whilst I am absolutely delighted that they have taken it upon themselves to be roving reporters for us and give Sexy in Van City an exclusive from Carmen’s dress rehearsal, I am also insanely jealous of them. Despite the fact that their review has turned me into the Green Eyed Monster, I do find these two gentlemen and their review absolutely delightful, and am insanely flattered that they have taken up the cause helping Van City embrace it’s Sexy Side.

Back to Carmen. Carmen is a French Opera based on a novel by Prospera Merimee set in Seville, Spain. A bit of a romantic comedy this story definitely exemplifies the sexier side of this fine city of ours.  Carmen is a beautiful and imprisoned gypsy with a fiery temper.  Clearly in touch with her sexier side, Carmen uses her feminine whiles to escape the confines of prison, leading to a tragic love story of mutiny, smuggling and murder. For Kittyn, a typical weekend. And from what I’ve heard of the erotic music and rather seductive costumes, for me (and I’m guessing some of you), the perfect igniter of fun, frolic and forepl……

Photo by Gary Lund

Raul and Tris’ Review:

Acts 1 and 2 complete with new to the camera comedy and Tris’s sinking head as he attempts to film and star at the same time.

Act 3, including Raul as the new camera man and commentary that could only be offered by Raul and Tris.  Just be warned, Raul gives a bit of a spoiler to the stories ending.

Thank you boys!  Love you!  And think the two of you make the most hilarious team of roving reporters.

The rest of you – don’t miss out, go get your tickets before they are all sold out.  Carmen plays at the Vancouver Opera, January 24 – February 5th at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.  Specific show nights are January 24, 27, 29, 31, February 3 and 5.  All show times are at 7:30 pm and ticket prices range from $23.25 – $169.25. Call the Vancouver Opera Ticket Centre at (604) 683-0222 or order them online.