Idaho Falls Opera prepares for weekend performances
The Idaho Falls Opera Theatre proudly presents two Operettas in English: The Spanish Hour by Maurice Ravel and Il Tabarro by Giacomo puccini
Performances: March 18, 19, and 21, 2016
The Idaho Falls Civic Auditorium 7:30 p.m.
Opera Preview at 6:45 p.m.
Ticket Purchase at the IDaho Falls Arts Council at idahofallsarts.org or call 1-208-522-0471 or at the door.
The Spanish Hour by Maurice Ravel
Setting: Toledo, Spain 18th Century
One Act: The clock shop of Torquemada, Time: morning to late afternoon.
Torquemada, an absent-minded clockmaker, is reminded by his wife Concepcion, that it is Thursday and time for him to wind all of the overnment clocks. She ususally takes advantage of this weekly absence to entertain her lovers. Ramiro, not one of the lovers, has come to have his watch repaired, Concepcion is annoyed as she was expecting an admirer, Gonsalve. When Gonsalve arrives, she quickly hides him in a grandfather clock and asks Ramiro to carry it to her room. Don Inigo, a banker, and admirer, arrives. Eh too is hidden in a clock. A switch of clocks effects a change of lovers, and a farcical situation results. Meanwhile, Concepcion begins to admire the virile Ramiro, and she takes him to her room. When Torquemada returns, she explains that Gonsalve and Inigo are merely customers, and he sells them each a clock. He chooses to overlook his wife’s indiscretions, and they all sing a sparkling quintet.
Il Tabarro by Giacomo Puccini
Setting: A barge on the River Seine
One act: 19th Century, sunset to late evening
Michele, the barge owner, lives on the barge with his young wife, Gieorgetta. As their relationship has grown apart, Giorgetta has taken luigi, one of the workers, as her lover. At the end of the day Giorgetta offers the workmen refreshment. As the others leave, Luigi remains. The two lovers arrange a clandestine meeting; a lighted matched is their signal to meet. Giorgetta tells Michele she is tired and pretends to go to bed. Michele suspsects that Giorgetta is unfaithful but does not know who her lover is. Alone and silent, he lights his pipe unwittingly giving a signal to Luigi who rushes to meet Giorgetta. Michele strangles Luigi and hides him beneath his cloak. Giorgetta uneasily creeps onto the deck and discovers Michele. She asks him to cover her with his cloak because she is cold. Michele flings the cloak aside to reveal tahe body of her dead lover.
