Critics on 'Lakmé' Artists

Sarah Bryan Miller of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Chris Gibson of BroadwayWorld.com and Missy Miller of KDHX have offered their critiques on the artists involved in Union Avenue Opera's Lakmé:

Patricia Johnson

"As the Brahmin priestess Lakmé, soprano Patricia Johnson looked beautiful in her midriff-baring costumes, and sounded lovely when she floated her voice." —SBM

"Patricia Johnson does stong work as Lakmé, and her coloratura soprano is perfectly suited to the material. Her version of 'The Bell Song' during the second act is splendidly realized, but it's her pairing with Crystal Philippi as Mallika, on the familiar 'Flower Song' that really sparkles." —CG

Roderick George

"Roderick George displays a pleasing tenor as Gérald." —CG

"Tenor Roderick George was sympathetic as Gérald, the British officer who loves [Lakmé]. He has a big voice and high notes that won't quit." —SBM

On Johnson & George:

"Both Johnson and George deliver performances with ultimate precision, hitting the center of each note with ease. As the courtship between Lakmé and Gérald crescendos, so does the vocal intensity of both performers." —MM

David Dillard

"David Dillard is a powerful Nilakantha, and his bass thunders as he vows and seeks his revenge." —CG

Crystal Philippi

"Also noteworthy is Crystal Philippi, who plays Lakmé's servant, Mallika. Philippi does an excellent job of blending her rich, lower tones with the upper register of Johnson, particularly when performing Delibes' infamous 'Flower Duet,' as made popular by British Airways in the late 1980s." —MM

Nathan Wentworth

"Baritone Nathan Wentworth, Gérald's friend Frédéric, has a luscious tone." —SBM

Jon Garrett

"Tenor Jon Garrett was touchingly sweet and sang beautifully as Hadji." —SBM

Debra Hillabrand

"Mezzo-soprano Debra Hillabrand was a delight as the governess" —SBM

Kostis Protopapas, conductor

"Kostis Protopapas does an impeccable job conducting the orchestra for this tuneful and moving piece." —CG

"Conductor Kostis Protopapas showed a fine command of the score and maintained balance between stage and pit." —SBM

"[Kostis Protopapas's] standing ovation during Saturday evening's performance was well deserved." —MM

Scott Schoonover, stage director

"Regular conductor Schoonover moves over to handle the stage direction, and does solid work with a more formalized approach." —CG

Patrick Huber, set design

"Patrick Huber's changeable set conjures up the locale in colorful fashion." —CG

"While my ears were ringing with delight, my eyes were wide with wonder; thanks to the colorful set created by Patrick Huber. Taking place in Raj, India, Huber does an excellent job of bringing the small space to life, using a variety of colors, textures and layers to create height and depth on stage." —MM

Felia Davenport, costume design

"Felia Davenport's costumes neatly capture the feel of these competing cultures." —CG

"Complementing Huber's dynamic set, costume designer Felia Davenport carefully dresses characters in period attire with colorful silk saris for Hindu characters, army coats for the British officers, and traditional floral dresses and ribbon trimmed hats for the officers' female counterparts." —MM

Lakmé continues its run tonight and tomorrow (August 28 & 29). Performances begin at 8pm. Venue: Union Avenue Christian Church located at 733 Union Blvd in St. Louis. Sung in French with projected English supertitles. To purchase tickets or learn more about this production, please visit the Union Avenue Opera Website or call 314. 361.2881

"Lakmé" Preview on YouTube

Click below to watch a preview of Lakmé on YouTube.  Stage director Scott Schoonover and Conductor Kostis Protopapas offer their insights on this production of Delibes' opera.

Lakmé continues its run August 28 & 29. Performances begin at 8pm. Venue: Union Avenue Christian Church located at 733 Union Blvd in St. Louis. Sung in French with projected English supertitles. To purchase tickets or learn more about this production, please visit the Union Avenue Opera Website or call 314.361.2881

"Lakmé" opens Tomorrow at UAO

Cultures collide and love blossoms in exotic Colonial India. Léo Delibes' Lakmé is a romantic thriller set amidst the scents and sights of a faraway land—a temple garden at dawn, a Hindu market, a bamboo hut in the forest—the perfect backdrop for sensuous, touching and spectacular drama. Lakmé, a Hindu priestess, falls in love with Gerald, a British soldier. Their union, however, is impeded by her father's lust for vengeance on the British who have profaned his temple. Be our guest as you enjoy the ambiance of this priceless operatic gem to see if love, honor or duty prevails.

(Pictured: Patricia Johnson; Photo: Wayne Crosslin)

Union Avenue Opera presents the Missouri premiere of Lakmé, which is also the first production in the Midwest since the Lyric Opera of Chicago produced the opera in 1983. UAO Artistic Director and Conductor Scott Schoonover stages the production. (See previous blog entry for an interview with Schoonover.) Kostis Protopapas, of Tulsa Opera, has returned as guest conductor after last season's Otello. Felia Davenport and Patrick Huber have collaborated with Schoonover on the production's costume and set designs, respectively.

For a full synopsis of the opera, please click here.

Soprano Patricia Johnson, Micaëla in last season's Carmen, returns to portray the title role. Tenor Roderick George, last seen as Tamino in 2007's Die Zauberflöte, sings the role of Gerald. Baritone David Dillard, fresh from his appearance in this season's Die lustige Witwe, will portray the priest Nilakantha—Lakmé's father. Mezzo-Soprano Debra Hillabrand, most recently seen as Frugola in Il Tabarro, sings the role of Miss Benson. Two artists make their UAO debut: Baritone Nathan Wentworth as Frédéric (friend of Gerald) and Mezzo-Soprano Crystal Philippi as Mallika (Lakmé's servant). Also appearing are Sopranos Linden Christ and Elise LaBarge as English sisters Ellen & Rose, as well as Tenor Jon Garrett as Hadji.

Lakmé runs August 21, 22, 28 & 29. Performances begin at 8pm. Venue: Union Avenue Christian Church located at 733 Union Blvd in St. Louis. Sung in French with projected English supertitles. To purchase tickets or learn more about this production, please visit the Union Avenue Opera Website or call 314.361.2881

Interview with 'Lakmé' Director Scott Schoonover

Operatic Saint Louis recently interviewed Scott Schoonover, stage director of Union Avenue Opera’s Lakmé about the production and his directorial approach. This production marks the second time Schoonover has staged a full production—the first being Dido and Aeneas in 2004.

Operatic Saint Louis: What aspects of this opera compelled you to want to stage the piece?

Scott Schoonover: The first thing that attracted me to Lakmé was the lush, beautiful score. After listening to the entire work and envisioning how it could be brought to life keeping intact the exotic, mysterious feel of the opera, I decided it was something we ought to to try. Furthermore, it's a well-known piece that hasn't been done in this area and I thought it would be a great opportunity to bring something new to our audience.

OSL: Lakmé deals with conflicting cultures—British and Indian—in Colonial India. In preparing to stage the opera, what sort of research did you undertake to further understand the historical context of the piece?

SS: I read the book the story is based upon by Pierre Loti (Le Mariage de Loti)—it's really quite different than the work of Lakmé itself, but it still deals with cultural differences and misunderstandings. I also revisited a couple other classics such as Passage to India for another look at the cultural landscape of Colonial India. Lastly, we only need to look at the past several years of our own history to see parallels in this story with Americans not always understanding cultural differences in other countries. This certainly isn't the point of our production and doesn't really enter the picture, but it's difficult to ignore once you get into the piece a little.

OSL: Hinduism, specifically of the Brahmins, is a major focal point for the Indian characters of Lakmé. How did you go about researching this religion?

SS: I would never say that I know a lot about Hinduism or Brahminism, but I did do some basic work researching the history of the sect as well as specific temple rites that show up in our production. Things like mudras (hand signs that encourage different deities to commune), water purification rituals, offerings, as well as the structure of the basic temple service which happens in Lakmé are all based loosely on actual temple practices.

OSL: In your view, how do the Indians of the piece relate to the British occupying their country?

SS: In private, the Indians of our story loathe the British and pray for their deliverance. The British have overtaken their way of life, thrown out their religion, while profaning their temples, and made it illegal to meet and worship. In public, the Indians do their best to cope with the situation at hand. They have to deal with the reality that the British are a practicality of everyday life.

OSL: Conversely, how do the British relate to the Indians?

SS: The British are naïve about the Indians. They see them as romantic, sensual, but not as equal, educated people. They don't have respect for cultural differences, nor care to understand what effects their actions may have.

OSL: Lakmé is perhaps best known for the famous Flower Duet—"Dôme épais, le jasmin"—sung by Lakmé and her servant Mallika in Act One. In addition to this duet, what other arias, duets and ensembles of note should audience members anticipate?

SS: I love the opening scene of the show with the chorus, Lakme and Nilankatha who all provide an exotic backdrop for the rest of the story. When the English come in, they have a delightful quintet which on many levels rivals the Carmen quintet. Gerald has a beautiful 1st act aria—"O Fantasie"—which is a lovely, tuneful showpiece for the tenor. There is of course, the famous "Bell Song" which Lakmé sings in the marketplace and several beautiful duets between Lakmé and Gerald.

OSL: How has the rehearsal process been with the cast?

SS: I would say it's been challenging but always on the right track and constantly growing into the story which we hope to present. The actual story of Lakmé presents many challenges and more than a couple contradictions which make everyone's job a little harder. All that being said, it has been a great joy to work with every member of this cast. Everyone has been ready and willing to come along for the ride and put themselves out there.

OSL: The exotic setting of Lakmé can be a designer's delight. What visuals can one expect to see in Felia Davenport's costumes, as well as Patrick Huber's sets?

SS: As far as costumes go - we are looking at fairly standard, period Indian and English costumes. Lots of colors in the Indian costumes and lack of color in the English. The sets are a simple, lush, beautiful backdrop to a few outstanding scenic elements. There is a large, imposing statue of Ganesh which is the prominent feature of Act I. The second Act takes place on the thrust of the stage with the entire Market scene played out there. The 3rd Act takes place in a secluded jungle hut.

OSL: If appealing to the "man on the street" about why they should come to see Lakmé, what would your sales pitch be?

SS: Come hear gorgeous music that is rarely heard along with the most famous Flower Duet which everyone has heard. See an exotic love story between two star-crossed lovers (this story is often called the precursor to Madama Butterfly)...and great chorus scenes.

Lakmé runs August 21, 22, 28 & 29. Performances begin at 8pm. Venue: Union Avenue Christian Church located at 733 Union Blvd in St. Louis. Sung in French with projected English supertitles. To purchase tickets or learn more about this production, please visit the Union Avenue Opera Website or call 314.361.2881

UAO "Lakmé" in Rehearsal

For the past two weeks, the cast of Union Avenue Opera's Lakmé has been busy in rehearsal. Below, you can take a look at a slideshow of the cast in its final run-through before tech rehearsal.

Lakmé runs August 21, 22, 28 & 29. Performances begin at 8pm. Venue: Union Avenue Christian Church located at 733 Union Blvd in St. Louis. Sung in French with projected English supertitles. To purchase tickets or learn more about this production, please visit the Union Avenue Opera Website or call 314.361.2881

UAO hosts 'High Tea' this Saturday

This Saturday, Union Avenue Opera will be hosting High Tea, an educational opportunity in conjunction with its upcoming production of Lakmé. It's not your grandmother's tea party, but you can bring your grandmother.

Guests will meet UAO principal artists from Lakmé, tour exotic sets, hear a presentation on the opera, listen to musical excerpts, and view costumes up close.

Tea, coffee and petit fours provided.

WHEN: Saturday, August 15, 11:00AM

WHERE: Union Avenue Christian Church, 733 Union Blvd, St. Louis 63108

HOW MUCH?: $15 per person

Please RSVP @ 314.361.2881

http://www.unionavenueopera.org/

Critics on 'Widow' Cast

St. Louis Post-Dispatch Classical Music critic Sarah Bryan Miller, KDHX FM Theatre Critic Steve Callahan and BroadwayWorld.com critic Chris Gibson have offered their critiques on Union Avenue Opera's production of Die lustige Witwe. The cast members have received positive notices for their work:

Sylvia Stoner

"Soprano Sylvia Stoner made an attractive, winning Hanna, acting and singing strongly." —SBM

"Sylvia Stoner gives a strong performance as Hanna, imbuing her role with a nice sense of playfulness. Stoner displays a powerful and clear soprano voice that's well suited to this tuneful material. And, she's well matched with Ian Greenlaw as Count Danilo." —CG

"Sylvia Stoner, as Hanna, is beautiful and vivacious, with a strong, clear soprano." —SC

Ian Greenlaw

"[Greenlaw's voice] is a lovely strong baritone. And he is such a gorgeously dashing romantic lead. ... [My wife] whispered to me, 'he is the sexiest thing I've ever seen on this stage!'" —SC

"Greenlaw gives the role an affable charm, and his pleasing baritone and handsome visage work to his advantage." —CG

"Baritone Ian Greenlaw was near perfect as Danilo: tall, handsome and with a beautiful dark-hued voice." —SBM

Ann Hoyt

"Ms. Hoyt is ravishing, as usual, with a brilliant voice and most delightful and expressive eyes." —SC

Thomas Wazelle

"In the role of [Valencienne's] suitor, Camille, tenor Thomas Wazelle was romantically handsome and sang sweetly." —SBM

Scott Levin

"Scott Levin is a delight as Baron Zeta-both as a singer and as a gifted comic actor." —SC

"E. Scott Levin was an amusing Zeta." —SBM

Die lustige Witwe ("The Merry Widow") continues its run this weekend: August 7, 8, & 9(m). Performances begin at 8pm, except for a 3pm Matinee on August 9th. Venue: Union Avenue Christian Church located at 733 Union Blvd in St. Louis. Sung in German with projected English supertitles. To purchase tickets or learn more about this production, please visit the Union Avenue Opera Website or call 314.361.2881

"Merry Widow" Preview on YouTube

Click below to watch a preview of The Merry Widow on YouTube.  Conductor Scott Schoonover and stage director Jolly Stewart offer their insights on Lehár's operetta.



Die lustige Witwe ("The Merry Widow") continues its run August 1, 7, 8, & 9(m). Performances begin at 8pm, except for a 3pm Matinee on August 9th. Venue: Union Avenue Christian Church located at 733 Union Blvd in St. Louis. Sung in German with projected English supertitles. To purchase tickets or learn more about this production, please visit the Union Avenue Opera Website or call 314.361.2881