COURTESY OF DALE OLIVA Phineas is dressed for "Turandot," opening tonight.

Dressed up for
‘Turandot’

Dale Oliva fell in love with the opera when her friend Jill Friedman invited her to one for the first time about six years ago.

"I was on the fringe anyway," Oliva said. "I'd watch it on TV, and there were certain arias I really loved; and I was a fan of stage and musical productions."

'Turandot' On stage: 8 p.m. today; 4 p.m. Sunday (sold out), and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday Where: Blaisdell Concert Hall Admission: $29 to $100 Call: 596-7858

Now Friedman's daughter Lea Woods Friedman is among the stars of Hawaii Opera Theatre's production of "Turandot," opening today, giving the sisterhood of friends a reason to show up in style.

For her part, Oliva says she'll don a hot-pink mandarin jacket, in keeping with the spirit of Puccini's opera, about a heartless Chinese princess (Karen Huffstedt) whose hand is won by a suitor (Warren Mok) who risks his life to solve three riddles.

"I love the Italian composers," she said. "They're just so lyrical and the language is beautiful. I love the costumes and story lines. How can you go wrong? They really know how to milk tragedy and tug at your heartstrings.

"And knowing someone in the production helps me appreciate the process more. It's not as easy as some may think.

"I've grown to appreciate the opera more because of (Lea)."

One creature not so appreciative might be Oliva's 20-month-old cat, Phineas, who must put up with his master's passion for opera, which has included dressing him in costume as "Turandot's" Prince Calaf.

"I found the outfit close to Chinese New Year," said Oliva, who made his matching hat.

Phineas won't be able to attend the opera, but might have to put up with Oliva's crooning after the show.