This weekend, Boston Opera Collaborative is staging Rossini’s opera La Cenerentola (1817) at the Strand Theatre in Dorchester, MA, 1-4 August, 2013. The Strand Theatre is a magnificent old dame of a theatre that’s off the beaten path for many Boston area residents; after the end of major road construction on Mass Ave, it is surprisingly accessible by car, bike, and public transportation. The story of La Cenerentola is an Italian variation on the Cinderella story, featuring disguises and secret identities in place of fairy godmothers and enchanted mice. An unusual feature of this performance is its use of an orchestra playing on period instruments. Go see it!
Pronunciation Hint: Because the title of the opera is in Italian, the “Cen” in “Cenerentola” is pronounced like “Chen.” Say “Chen-ur-en-toe-luh” three times fast!
Chaim Potok’s classic novel The Chosen (1967) was adapted for the stage by the author and Aaron Posner a few years before Potok’s death; it now returns in a revised edition by Posner in a production by Barrington Stage. ArtsFuse has a glowing review.
The Chosen runs 18 July-3 August 2013 at the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage in Pittsfield, MA. Broadway World’s reviewer called it “one of the most memorable nights I have ever spent in the theatre.”
NEC Opera has announced a special series of offerings related to their staging of Rossini’s opera La Gazzetta (‘The Newspaper’). This performance will comprise the American premiere of this comic opera and will also be the first performance to use the critical edition of the opera score created by Philip Gossett. The performances will take place 6-9 April 2013 at the Paramount Theater in Boston; note that this is at the Paramount on Washington Street, not their traditional venue at the Cutler Majestic Theatre (both are owned by Emerson College).
Philip Gossett will be participating in panel discussions on 13 March and 3 April; he is an electrifying speaker and not to be missed.