Opera SIG

The phrase "Opera Special Interest Group" (a/k/a "OperaSIG") seems a little grandiose for what we actually do.

The Event, Dates and Times

What do we actually do? Opera SIG goes to Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD! This is the Saturday matinee (well, mid-morning, West Coast time) of the Metropolitan Opera, live and in High-Definition big-screen audio-visual cinematic splendor! The Met now broadcasts the live performance to selected high-tech theaters worldwide. We go to the very-high-tech theater at "The District" in Tustin.

Tustin is one of the less-crowded venues in Orange County, which is why we meet there instead of (say) Irvine. Sell-outs are quite rare. If you worry about such things, you can buy advance tickets on line.

January 21, 2012: The Enchanted Island – New Production (breakfast at 9:00, show starts at 10:00)
In one extraordinary new work, lovers of Baroque opera have it all: the world’s best singers, some of the finest music of the Baroque masters, and a story drawn from Shakespeare. In this highly-anticipated world premiere, the lovers from A Midsummer Night’s Dream are shipwrecked on the other-worldly island of The Tempest, providing the dramatic setting for a fantastic journey. Inspired by the musical pastiches and masques of the 18th century, The Enchanted Island showcases glorious arias and ensembles by Handel, Vivaldi, Rameau, and others, and a new libretto by Jeremy Sams. Eminent conductor William Christie leads an all-star cast with David Daniels (Prospero) and Joyce DiDonato (Sycorax) as the formidable foes, Plácido Domingo as Neptune, Danielle de Niese as Ariel, and Luca Pisaroni as Caliban. Lisette Oropesa and Anthony Roth Costanzo play Miranda and Ferdinand. The dazzling production is directed and designed by Phelim McDermott and Julian Crouch (Satyagraha and the Met’s 125 anniversary gala).

February 11, 2012: Wagner’s Götterdämmerung (breakfast at 8:30, show starts at 9:00 -- ONE HOUR EARLY)
With its cataclysmic climax, the Met’s new Ring cycle, directed by Robert Lepage, comes to its resolution. Deborah Voigt stars as Brünnhilde and Gary Lehman is Siegfried—the star-crossed lovers doomed by fate. Fabio Luisi conducts.

April 7, 2012: Massenet’s Manon – New Production (breakfast at 8:30, show starts at 9:00 -- ONE HOUR EARLY)
Anna Netrebko’s dazzling portrayal of the tragic heroine in Laurent Pelly’s new production travels to the Met from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Piotr Beczala and Paulo Szot also star, with the Met’s Principal Guest Conductor Fabio Luisi on the podium.

April 14, 2012: Verdi’s La Traviata (breakfast at 9:00, show starts at 10:00)
Natalie Dessay will put on the red dress in Willy Decker’s stunning production, in her first Violetta at the Met. Matthew Polenzani sings Alfredo, Dmitri Hvorostovsky is Germont, and Principal Guest Conductor Fabio Luisi is on the podium.

The Place

From either the 5 or the 405, exit at Jamboree and head toward the other freeway. At Barranca, turn toward Los Angeles (right if from the 5, left if from the 405) and go two stop lights to Tustin Ranch Road. Turn right and go to the second parking lot entrance on the right (“Target-AMC-Lowes” sign). The theater is at the far right corner of the lot.

Membership Requirements (such as they are)

OperaSIG is, technically, a Special Interest Group (SIG) of Orange County Mensa. However, it by no means limits its membership to:

Not a Ticket-Holder for Today's Performance?

Some of you may have seen a similar performance before our SIG meeting Saturday morning, and therefore not be interested in rolling out of bed at 8:00 AM on a Saturday morning. If you'll be within easy driving distance of “The District” at Tustin, then we'd love to break bread with you after the show (and after the coffee has kicked in). Regale us with comparisons between your experience and our description of the Met's latest effort.

Some of you may be seeing the performance as a rebroadcast after our SIG meeting Saturday morning, and therefore not be interested in rolling out of bed at 8:00 AM on a Saturday morning. These “encore” presentations are usually a few weeks later, on a Wednesday evening. If you'll be within easy driving distance of “The District” at Tustin, then we'd love to break bread with you after the show. We'll regale you with what to look for in the Met's latest effort

Would You Like an Email Reminder?

Would you like an email reminder of future OperaSIG events? Send me an email (or hand me your email address at our late lunch) and I'll hook you up with our yahoo-group. If you're web-savvy, feel free to sign up (or sign out!) directly. You'll get an automatic reminder three days before each event -- and another reminder one day before the event.

Yes, you can leave the yahoo-group (and stop getting notices) any time you want. If you're having difficulty signing out directly, then send me an email; I'll sign you out myself. A successful OperaSIG is good; having good friends remain good friends is even better.

Disclaimer

It's hard to imagine OperaSIG's activities as being particularly controversial. However, no, we don't speak for:

None of these entities has any control over us, nor has any responsibility (financial or otherwise) for what we do.

Well, yes, Orange County Mensa sometimes gives us a link from its website, and a mention in its newsletter. Sometimes. When its Webmaster (and/or Calendar Editor) feels like it and/or has some space.

OperaSIG