The Minnesota Opera has been gaining huge popularity in the Twin Cities, especially this past year. It’s exciting to see the shows sell out and to know that when you go to the Opera, you’re going to see an exquisite show.

Michael Christie, the new music director for The Minnesota Opera, came over to Sakura before the show on Thursday night and spoke to us (bloggers) about the history of Madame Butterfly and a few behind-the-scenes details that were fun to hear firsthand. This time of frank discussion is very enlightening when you’re watching the production and can sometimes be my favorite part of the entire night. This was the case Thursday night. Mr. Christie’s enthusiasm is catching.

However, once the music began, I couldn’t shake the uneasiness~ maybe because I know how this sad story ends for Madame Butterfly. There are two casts for this show and we were fortunate to hear Kelly Kaduce as Madame Butterfly and Arturo Chacón-Cruz as Lieutenant B. F. Pinkerton. Ms. Kaduce was fantastic, both in her amazing vocal range and in portraying a young 15-year-old naive girl about to be married. Mr. Chacón-Cruz also had an incredible voice and played his part very well because I wanted to rip out every shred of hair on his perfectly coiffed head.

Lieutenant Pinkerton is a Class A Jerk.

In the happy times…

But joyful, lighthearted endings an Opera does not make…

I can’t go on about this one as much as I did with Silent Night~ I LOVED everything about that production. The Madame Butterfly sets were extremely stark, making the 2 hour and 45 minute run time more evident at times.  Musically speaking, there were really great moments, especially when Kaduce and Chacón-Cruz sang together, but I wished for more beautiful harmonies. However, this is how composer Giacomo Puccini envisioned it, and I do like that The Minnesota Opera remained true to Puccini’s vision.

All in all, any chance to go to the Opera is a wonderful experience and one that I highly recommend. Thank you, Daniel Zillman, for the opportunities this past year!

Last week, I had the privilege of attending a preview of The Minnesota Opera performing Bernard Herrmann’s Wuthering Heights. It was a blogger event, which was fun in itself. We were invited to appetizers and conversation at Sakura~ YUM! I thoroughly enjoyed meeting local bloggers and press people. Everyone was so kind and friendly. It was especially fun to hear the interns with The Minnesota Opera talking about what goes on behind the scenes.

One of the best things about the night was hanging out with my dear Jilliebean from Spoils of Wear. We are usually with our mates or she’s kidnapping my kids, which is all wonderful (!), but it was nice to hang out, just us two.

Jill & Me

(For all you regular Girly Musers, look…HEELS…the first in about 12 weeks. I owe you an update on that topic. Another sidenote~ I will never wear these particular heels again. Anyone need them? Size 7 1/2.)

The Ordway is absolutely gorgeous and when I saw the stage, my heart pitter-pattered. Beautiful, grey, stark…just what I would expect from Wuthering Heights.

Sara Jakubiak plays the part of Catherine and land sakes, the girl can sing. I was blown away by the sheer volume that her petite frame can project. What a passionate voice. The clip below is Sara giving a brief description of the plot.

http://www.youtube.com/user/MinnesotaOpera#p/c/A3FBDCA20B414DD1/2/LEF42C7F2bQ

The story is just as bitter and full of revenge as I remembered. I had forgotten how Cathy is completely self-absorbed. Wow…to see her “lose it” on stage was quite something. Heathcliff, played by Lee Poulis, is also very convincing as the dark and brooding character.

During the intermission, we were able to go backstage and see a few of the performers…such beautiful and talented people. We also went onstage and saw parts of the set up close. By the way, the meals on the table are NOT anything I would want to eat…seems like a good practical joke went down there, with moldy food stuck on dishes as part of the set. It made me think of The Tale of Two Bad Mice.

My kids have had to put up with me singing opera to them ever since. Now when they’re in trouble, I will sing, “You! Unnatural CUBS!”

Just a little something I picked up at The Opera…

Take a look at these glorious photographs~ it will make you wish you were there.

The various screen effects make you feel as if you are in the middle of a 3D movie…spectacular.

Yikes. Cathy is TICKED.

Such a tragic story.

The Minnesota Opera did a fabulous production. They opened Saturday night and will perform again tonight, the 17th…and again on the 19th, 21st and 23rd. You can get your tickets here: http://www.mnopera.org/

Thank you, Daniel, for allowing me to be part of such a delightful event!

Go support the Arts, my friends. XO