Some like to debate the value of video vs live performance, but making it an either/or question is missing the point. Video opens up a world of performance that geography can make it difficult to attend in person.
Two upcoming video releases underscore that point. Halifax’s Essential Opera offers a new short opera set in the Roaring Twenties, and an orchestra in Switzerland premieres the film of an innovative fusion concert.
Etiquette: A New Opera By Monica Pearce
Based in the Maritimes, Essential Opera is an indie producer of both live and filmed opera. Etiquette is a new opera by composer Monica Pearce, with direction by Tom Belding.
The production stars soprano Maureen Batt as Dorothy, with soprano Erin Bardua singing the role of Emily, and mezzo-soprano Lucy Hayes-Davis as Nancy. The music is directed by Tara Scott at the piano, with Brad Reid, clarinet.
The Story
Set on New Year’s Eve, 1927 in Dorothy Parker’s Art Deco apartment, the story finds Parker writing a review of Emily Post’s 684-page book on Etiquette under a tight deadline. But… it’s time to party, and Dorothy abandons the assignment for a night on the town.
The second scene takes place a few weeks later as Emily and politician Nancy Astor at first clash, and then realize they have much more in common than they thought.
Etiquette ends with Dorothy waking up bleary eyed on New Year’s Day with a review to write.
Expect the dynamic energy of the Roaring Twenties and upbeat music to tell the story, and convey Dorothy’s legendary wit.
The Details
The Etiquette Film Release takes place om March 26, 2024, 7 p.m.ET/8 p.m.AT. At the film’s premiere on the 26th, there will also be a live chat with creators and artists following the initial screening.
- On-demand viewing is available March 26 through April 3;
- Tickets available [HERE].
If you purchase a ticket, you’ll receive a link to the stream.
Symphonic Orchestra Meets Steel Pan: HOLA! (Heal Our Land) Premiere
Extempo Steelband of Winterthur Switzerland and Camerata Salonistica, an orchestra from St. Gallen Switzerland, got together for a performance in 2022. The concert took place at the concert hall Fürstenlandsaal Gossau, Switzerland, using arrangements created for the occasion by Martin Grah, musical director of Extempo. What followed was a productive collaboration between the steel pan band and Michael Schläpfer, the conductor of the orchestra.
The Camerata Salonistica is a relatively new symphony orchestra, drawing musicians from Eastern Switzerland. They get together on a project to project basis.
“It was a wonderful experience to work with the symphony orchestra Camerata Salonistica and arrange for a joint concert of the orchestra with the steelband. The richness of the combined sound is amazing,” Schläpfer says in a statement.
- The film concert premiere takes place March 16 at 1 p.m.
- Tickets can be purchased [HERE].
A portion of the proceeds will go to charitable institutions.
Happy viewing!
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