"This is the violet hour, the hour of hush and wonder, when the affectations glow and valor is reborn, when the shadows deepen along the edge of the forest and we believe that, if we watch carefully, at any moment we may see the unicorn."


Friday, November 11, 2011

Don Giovanni!

The *Don* himself, in all his sunglassed, brocaded vest, leather-booted glory!

I haven't done an Opera post in a while.....(to the relief of some)...but I hope some of you miss them!  So....last night was the final performance of our wonderful, sexy 2011 production!  Of course, I was there....in fact, next to *Heart of a Soldier*, this opera has been my favourite of the season....I saw it five times!  But, last night was really memorable.

 *Donna Elvira*....the *Scorned* woman (one of many) who still loves Giovanni....but wants revenge!

*Leporello*, the Don's *faithful* (sometimes) servant...who both envies and despises his *Master*.  Here, he reveals to Donna Elvira the book Giovanni keeps to catalogue all of his conquests.....it opens up and is really L-O-N-G!

But back to backstage....  the previous night, I was working another (yawn) *Carmen*... and when I came into the Canteen after interviewing two potential new team members,  who was playing ping-pong - but the star of *Don Giovanni*, Lucas Meachem (he has the most luscious, velvet-smooth voice). He was there to see *Carmen*! I have been an admirer of his for five or so years, since he sang in *Die Tote Stadt*....my most beloved non-Wagnerian opera.  (I have a few video clips at the very end of my blog.  Lucas is in the scene, dressed as *Pierrot*, singing a most beautiful waltz.) Although dressed in jeans, t-shirt and tennies, he is still a sexy guy....and a flirtatious one.  While I was prepping the food for *Carmen*, we had a little chat....and I was able to (finally) tell him how much I adored his performance in *Die Tote Stadt*...he told me he had performed it in Europe a few times as well and also loved it....then, he told me he was returning to SF in the Autumn of 2012... but....he wouldn't tell me in which opera!  (The *Cad!) 


He did give me *clues*....
like:
1. He has the lead role (he is Baritone - and most operas have Tenors as the lead)
2. The Opera has a one-word title

I immediately guessed "Rigoletto".....but he wouldn't say....those blue eyes twinkled though....but I'll have to wait and see.

But, hey, that's not the end of the story...  last night - at the final *Don*,
I came in and there was Lucas - playing ping-pong 90 minutes before the curtain went up! I said: "So, this is how you get into character"!  He laughed and said, "Absolutely"!  I wished him a "Toi, toi, toi for the final night".  After the second intermission, when the *Don* is not on stage....imagine my surprise when he came backstage (in costume and makeup) to play another round with some of the backstage crew...  he then came over and gave me a big hug (he is 6'4"...) and thanked me for all the delicious food!  I said, "Now you are ready to descend into *Hell*....(which is what happens at the end of the opera)...and he gave me a *wicked* laugh as he walked out and onto the stage!  It was a wonderful *Opera Moment* for me....particularly as earlier in the day, I was at a Memorial Service for a dear friend...and was emotionally spent....being hugged by *Giovanni* was just what I needed!
Here is a brief clip of some of our *Don Giovanni* for you to sample.  (Lo, sorry, all of the 3 woman lead ARE Sopranos! A-ha-ha!)

 *The Don* and our wonderful Supers!


 Our WONDERFUL Maestro and the Supers!


The Supers *react* to the Statue of the Commendatore!  *He drags the unrepetent Don down to Hell!* Bwaaa...haaaa...ha...



I hope you enjoy it!  It's glorious Mozart Music and really well sung by a vibrant, young cast!

Love,

♥ Robin ♥

13 comments:

  1. I enjoyed the post thoroughly dear!
    The thing I don't get is those sunglasses.........
    Why is he wearing them?
    But the whole thing , ping pong etc I can picture now!
    And I loved that he hugged you. Just what you needed after those emotions.
    So now let wait and see for which opera he comes back next year!

    Hugs from across the ocean!
    your zuster
    ♥M

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  2. Marianne....as for the sunglasses? Who knows? A whim of the Director - perhaps to make *Giovanni* "Uber-cool"...or to remove himself from everyone else's reality...

    I am so happy you were THERE...saw the ping-pong table and all the craziness!!!

    Yes...that was a much-needed hug! A-ha-ha!

    Hugs back to you!

    Love,

    ♥ R ♥

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  3. Am so sorry, again, about your friend. memorial serivces bring up tears but yet, so lovely to remember someone who has passed on.

    the opera post is fabulous. i adore it that you are now friends with Lucas. A hug to remember for sure.

    At a book sale I found a two diskCD of Rigoletto with an essay about Verdi, the story of the opera and a libretto. So, I am ready to learn! If you do do Rigoletto maybe i should come and see it to complete my degree.

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  4. Suki..I KNOW you understand the myriad of emotions I have been going though this past week...

    Hmmmm....when Lucas returns to SF....no matter if I am living here (or in the Northeast)...we MUST come to experience it together! I have contingency plans for housing!!!!

    I will keep you posted....should know more in a month or so.....

    Love you and Bibitty,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  5. oh i am smiling ear to ear in reading this post - of course monsieur don giovanni is flirting with the gorgeous, witty completely opera savvy girl!!! i bet he went on stage with a big smile on his face after that hug!!!

    i just listened to the clip and am amazed - as ever - that the voices of supremely talented singers seem to come through them and not from them, if you know what i mean - it's other-worldly.

    i am so sorry to hear about your friend, dear robin. sending love and hugs for a restful weekend —

    xoxo

    amanda

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  6. what a treat that must have been: the hug was pretty cool all by itself, but to be the precursor of lucas the star performer then walking himself on stage!

    i know how essential the opera experience front and back is to you, wrobin. and i'm so glad there is even MORE! to dream of what's ahead: how thrilling!

    a hard few days, i know, but thankfully not just....

    kj

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  7. You certainly have fun with this. I am not an Opera buff so I dont know a lot about it but the costumes are fun to see. Sorry about the loss of your friend. Thank you for always caring about our Annie. You have a lot of heart. :)

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  8. Teri, I am so happy you enjoy my posts! As you can tell, Opera IS my passion....and I love to share some of what goes on in my world!

    Hugs to you and Sunshine,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  9. Amanda, you are too kind!!! But, it was fun to *meet* the Don! (And a hug, too....) It really was what I needed after such an emotional afternoon at my friend's memorial service.

    So glad you listened to the video clip....these young singers - all - are marvelous....*Don G* is difficult to sing....and everyone just blew me away....

    Love,

    *Your Twin*,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  10. Hi KJ... last week was full of *ups* and *downs*... but my friend lived her life to the fullest - every day - even when her body was failing... she will always remain an inspiration to me.

    Three more weeks of Opera.... hmm...will have to find a new passion for the Winter months!

    Love,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  11. Cris....from one *big-hearted* person to another....that's what it's all about.... loving each other, loving animals, loving Nature....

    I am so happy we have met!

    Big Hugs to Con and the *Girls*,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  12. Hi CS, it is always nice to see you here! It must be gorgeous *down South* now....I hope you and your boys are having a beautiful Autumn!

    Big Hugs,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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