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Show oxcxq Utah Opera Selects Calendar by Popular Vote By Calvin L, Harrington Utahns were given questionnaire type ballots at Utah Opera's last opening night production. The audience was asked to select three operas they would like to see for season. As a result, the the 1989-9- 0 Spoleto, Italy as Rodolfo in Puccini's "La Boheme", a production that was directed by Gian Carlo Menottl. He performed for 25 years in the major opera houses of the world, including fifteen years as lead tenor at the Zurich Opera House in Switzerland. His career highlight was his 1975 debut at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, singing the role of Loge, the God of Fire in "Das Rheingold" by Wagner. Peterson has performed onstage with numerous legends such as the great Marla Callas and many . compary will present The Tales of Hoffman" by Offenbach in October, Verdi's "Rigoletto" in January, and Mozart's "Don Giovanni" in May. Utah Opera will close its present season next month with "Die Fledermaus" flhe Bat) by Johann Strauss. The Utah Opera Company has grown him the phenomenally since its founding in 1977 and veteran operagoers declare now has the largest budget of any U.S. definitive Pagliaccl (of Leoncavallo's "I returned to his native company of its age. The company was the Pagliacci"). Peterson founded the Utah Opera. 1976 and Utah in youngest in the nation to adopt Supertitles the three productions It evident is by (simultaneous English translations). The new for on the voted season, that Utah aggressive outreach program of the audiences as a whole, have exquisite musical company has brought opera to virtually the plots of the selected every school in Utah, reaching an annual taste; however, do the raise school eyebrows. audience of approximately 80,000 operas "The Tales of Hoffman" is the story of children. Founder and general director, Glade four incarnations of evil in the imagination Peterson, was born in Falrview, Sanpete of a poet named Hoffman. The opera has an Students County, Utah. Peterson made his European Interesting prologue and epilogue. if he has Hoffman hall ask beer German a in Worlds In of Two Festival debut at the Bangeter: Utah's April to Russia with Love 3y Samantha L. He responds by ever been In love. recounting fantastic adventures with three beautiful women: Olympia (in the first act), Guiletta (in the second act), and Antonia (in the third act). This opera has been a "must see" for many years because it is usually performed by three female singers of equal "prima donna" status. Each lady has her own "showstopping" aria. In addition, there are Having endured the loss of his own wife and children, Verdi transformed his pain in this opera, in many of the most moving parent-chil- d relationships dver found in opera. "Rigoletto" has one of the most celebrated tenor arias of one of the most brilliant coloratura arias ever written, along with other wonderful arias, duets, and ensemble numbers in rapid succession. lilting waltzes, flowing melodies, impish Despite all of its musical riches, however, galops and breathtaking prestos that are "Rigoletto" has been called Verdis "horror seasoned with ironic humor. opera" (because of its gruesome plot). of the a is The main character of "Don Giovanni" hunchback, "Rigoletto" story a deformed and grotesque court Jester who is no gentleman either. This is the familiar frequently aids his master, the Duke of stoiy of Don Juan and his insatiable appetite Mantua, in abusing many innocent young for women and adventure. After constantly women. The Duke is the ultimate Jerk. victimizing numerous females, Don really Rigoletto himself has a gorgeous teenage gets It in the end. Mozart was a perfectionist daughter (Gilda), but has kept it a secret from and the music is awesome. Ironically, this everyone for years by keeping her hidden in last opera, like the first one mentioned, has his home. The Duke seduces Gilda (without three equally juicy female leading roles: the knowing who she is) and after he violates noble Donna Anna, the agitated Donna her, Rigoletto hires an assasin to kill him. Elvira, and the rustic Zerlina. Another irony But the assasination plot backfires; Gilda, is that, not unlike the second opera, Mozart the hunchback's only child is slain instead wrote "Dpn Giovanni" in the months (and delivered to her father In a burlap bag)! 8. See all-tim- e, Opera," p. RBT Swings into Dunn Governor Bangerter, in a public innouncement, proclaimed April in Utah .Soviet Awareness Month. The focus will be placed on the 1 5 republics of the Soviet Union which span 1 1 time zones, including By Calvin L. Harrington -- the dominant republic of Russia. "Utah Soviet Awareness Month is intended to foster an informed anc intelligent public consciousness of the Soviet Union both geographically and politically," said Matthew Wallace, a member of both the Governor's steering committe for Soviet Awareness Month, and the Utah Relations. Dmmittee for American-Soviand times have dates Although specific for Soviet the jnot been set, agenda Awareness Month has been sketched. hnong the activities planned for the month are: an open house to welcome a new team o' SovietInspectors, an all Russian Prograrr performed by the Utah symphony, several lectures and forum meetings. There will be focus on Soviet Awareness month in Utah elementary schools, a Soviet Fair to help promote awareness, Soviet photography (Impressions of America), Soviet art exhibits at the Museum of Fine Arts, childrens art from the Soviet Union, a Slavic American Festival featuring Slavic food, dancing, etc., a film festival, as well as displays and travel groups to be arranged. Times and places fo these events will be forthcoming. I In addition to increased awareness, Salt Lake City plans to form a sister city relationship with Chernovtsy, a city in the Ukrainian Republic of the Soviet Union, saidj et The Repertory Dance Theatre will present "West Side," a potpourri of master works at 8 p.m., April 7 and 8 at the Capitol Theatre. These dance programs will feature the works of outstanding western national reputation for its skillful and of flirtations and passionate interactions; a concerts. RDT is supported in portrait of love and the part by grants from the Utah Arts Council, murmurings that accompany it. the Salt Lake City Arts Council and the "City Songs" is an urban landscape National Endowment for the Arts, a federal that explores gestures and spatial planes in an active background where movement agency in Washington, D.C. All of the choreographers whose works phrases are discovered, repeated and will be seen in 'West Side," have experienced passed among different dancers. a special relationship to this state. Some "Portrait I" will showcase the dance were students here, some were members of technique of Ford Evans in a dramatic, witty dance companies here, but all were and poignant dance solo. influenced by "the Utah Connection." "Still Life" Is a tour de force with music The concert will consist of "Tongues" by Arvo Part. This duet with Melinda Evans . by Della Davison, "City Songs" by Margaret and Kimberly Strunk is an abstract work Jenkins, "Still Life" by Marina Harris and which explores energy and shape and shows "Portrait I" by Ellen Bromberg. Special guest off the strength of each performer in unique v . performer will be Ford Evans, a former ways. member of Modern the of Dance After the show on April 8, an annual faculty Dept, at the U of U and current acting chairman of gala party will be held onstage with desserts, the Dance Dept, at Ohio University. champagne, and dancing to Joe Muscolino's well-prepar- ed choreographers. RDTs winter concert at the Capitol was titled East Side and gave the spotlight to eminent choreographers of the east coast. RDT was founded in 1966 by the Rockefeller Foundation and the University of Utah and became the very first modern repertory dance company in America outside of New York City. The company is known for its excellent collection of works ranging from Isadora Duncan to the innovations of the 1980's. RDT is especially noted for preserving its choreographic repertoire for the enjoyment of future generations. In this respect, RDT is both a museum and a Tongues" was recently nominated for contemporary gallery representing the the best and of choreography of the year award; It is scope diversity American dance, past a frontrunner for the prestigious "Izzie" and present ' Like several other music and dance award (named for Isadora Duncan). organizations representing the Beehive "Tongues" is a portrait of romance languages State, RDT maintains an outstanding and couples from around the world, a study cross-cultur- Big al Band. Ticket prices are $5 discount for students, $3 for high school age and under ($8 to $20 for general public). Ticket prices for the gala are $40. For further information, call 533-649- 4. Wallace. Wilson Welcomes Sister City, Da! By Samantha L. Dunn Salt Lake is forming a sister city as part of April's Soviet Awareness Month. A "Sister City Tour to the Soviet Union" will be held in honor of the union between Salt Lakej City and Chernovtsy, a city in the Ukrainian Republic. A group will leave Salt Lake June 11, and return June 26, 1989. The group will fly to Chernovtsy where they will be greeted b) Salt Lake City Mayor Palmer DePaulis. In addition to Chernovtsy, the tour will extend into Moscow, Leningrad, and Kiev. For more information about the tour.j cost, passports and itinerary, please contact ask about Thomas Travel at (801) 328-980Union." the "Sister City Tour to the Soviet 3. Issue 21 April 4, 1989 dancers Michelle Masoney, Tina Misakov, Angela Banchtro, Melinda Evans, and Kimberly Strunk, demonstrate the acute choreography which has become their signature. RDT Forum 3 |