‘Otello’ lectures offer
opera preview
Hawaii Opera Theatre is set to open its season next Friday, Feb. 1 and 3 with "Otello," and will be presenting a full schedule of informative preview lectures at Borders and the Honolulu Academy of Arts for each of the operas to be staged in 2004.
"Otello" is considered one of the most intense operatic experiences in today's standard repertoire.
Like the Shakespearean tragedy upon which it is based, Verdi's Otello takes place in 15th-century Cyprus. The island, under Venetian rule, is besieged by a Turkish fleet. Otello, a Moor and mercenary general in the service of Venice, has been appointed to command the island's forces against the Turks. He arrives in Cyprus with his wife, Desdemona, a Venetian beauty who has married Otello against her father's wishes; his ensign, Iago; and his captain, Cassio.
Otello goes off to war and returns victorious, but Iago, who is slighted by Cassio's promotion, feeds Otello's jealous nature by convincing him that Cassio and Desdemona are lovers. In fury, Otello strangles his innocent wife, only to learn moments later of Iago's plot.
HAWAII OPERA THEATRE
Hawaii Opera Theatre opens its season Jan. 30 with "Otello." Other works to be presented this spring are "Cosi Fan Tutte" and "The Merry Widow." Shown above is the set for the latter.
Performances will take place 8 p.m. next Friday, 4 p.m. Feb. 1 and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3 at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. Tickets run $29 to $100 and are available by calling 596-7858. From the neighbor islands, call 800-836-7372.
A preview lecture will be held at 4 p.m. tomorrow at the art academy, with $3 admission. Another free lecture, "Great Insights for New Opera Patrons," will be offered from 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday at Borders, Ward Centre.
Additional talks will be held as follows, and will be free except where noted:
"Otello" Next Friday 7, 7:30 and 8 p.m. at the Blaisdell Concert Hall Lanai Feb. 1 3, 3:30 and 4 p.m. at the Blaisdell Concert Hall Lanai Feb. 3 6:30, 7 and 7:30 p.m. at the Blaisdell Concert Hall Lanai "Cosi Fan Tutte" Feb. 4 10 a.m. at Honolulu Academy of Arts; in-depth preview lecture, $3; repeats at 4 p.m. Feb. 7 Feb. 8 1 to 2 p.m. at Borders Books & Music, Ward Centre; "Great Insights for New Opera Patrons" Feb. 13 7, 7:30 and 8 p.m. at Blaisdell Concert Hall Lanai Feb. 15 3, 3:30 and 4 p.m. at Blaisdell Concert Hall Lanai Feb. 17 6:30, 7 and 7:30 p.m. at Blaisdell Concert Hall Lanai "The Merry Widow" Feb. 18 10 a.m. at Honolulu Academy of Arts; in-depth preview lecture, $3; repeats at 4 p.m. Feb. 21 Feb. 22 1 to 2 p.m. at Borders Books & Music, Ward Centre; "Great Insights for New Opera Patrons" Feb. 27 7, 7:30 and 8 p.m. at Blaisdell Concert Hall Lanai Feb. 29 3, 3:30 and 4 p.m. at Blaisdell Concert Hall Lanai March 2 6:30, 7 and 7:30 p.m. at Blaisdell Concert Hall Lanai March 4 6:30, 7 and 7:30 p.m. at Blaisdell Concert Hall Lanai
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