CAPITOL CITY OPERA OPENS (2/9/15)

     When the Capitol City Opera begins it's season at the end of March, the company will be bringing a show that has been watched by the ages.

     'The Abduction of Seraglio' by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, is remembered by many as '...that opera where there the girl is taken by pirates'.   It was very successful when it premiered in Vienna in 1782.  

 

     Unfortunately for the great composer, he was no shrewd businessman.  He got about $1.66 for the work; since there was no set of royalties, other groups quickly took the work and re-produced it across Europe.  The only royalty for Mozart was fame. 

     When Austria's Emperor Joseph II commissioned Mozart to compose Abduction, Mozart was a poor young artist who was in love, but his future mother-in-law did not want him in the family.  Many critics have speculated that the work represents his own private difficulties in the opera's story line.
     Presented in English, Abduction is a light-hearted, fast-paced comic opera which tells the tale of the hero Belmont and his servant Pedrillo and their attempt to rescue the beautiful Constanza and Blonde from the Seraglio (or Harem) of Pasha Selim.
     "Capitol City Opera's primary mission is give opportunities to local artists," said Artistic Director Michael Nutter.  "Since we don't fly in opera singers from New York or Europe, you get to hear the stars of the future as they begin their careers. They are your friends and neighbors who perform with us, who build sets, create costumes, and crew our productions."

     Nutter smiles as he speaks of the many aspects of the Opera Company. including its 25-year record of introducing opera to young people.  

 

There will be two family friendly productions this year, A Seussome Twosome and Hansel and Gretel.  Each show addresses life and social issues in an attempt to help children. 
 

     "We have a wonderful cast of young talent joining us for this Mozart production," said Nutter.  "Some students are just finishing up school, others have recently graduated. We have some fresh, new talent as well."

Back in 1782 Emperor Joseph II is rumored to have complained about the complexity of the music, saying it had '...too many notes.'  However disputed, the leader was speaking of the style of music, which was new to audiences at the time.   

"I really do think that Colortura singing, or Bel Canto never went out of style," said Nutter.  "Just watch American Idol™ auditions and you hear people doing this type of singing all the time."

     The public is invited to get involved with CCOC, and there are multiple programs for people who want to help.  

     "I would hope that Mozart is happy that this work is popular today, and that we sell-out the shows for the Opera," said Nutter.  "Mozart's themes address the human condition and are valid today just as they were during his time." 
  To arrange for tickets, go to http://www.ccityopera.org/.

 

---Ray Macon