A night at the opera

You’re invited to experience the Northwest Repertory Singers’ first foray into opera as we present “NWRS at the Opera” on Saturday, March 13.

We are delighted to team up with Rainier Family Opera to offer a taste of the opera experience through a program that features scenes and choruses from some of the most revered operas.

Here is some of what you have to look forward to:

• Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti) is loosely based upon Sir Walter Scott’s novel “The Bride of Lammermoor” and tells the story of a feud between the Ashtons and the Ravenswoods. It was first produced in Naples in 1935.

• L’ Eliser d’Amore (Donizetti) is a comic opera first produced in Milan in 1832. It is one of the most frequently performed operas and is listed as one of the top 10 operas by American audiences.

• Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni) is a story adapted from a play by Giovanni Verga. It was first produced in Rome in 1890 and, since 1893, has often been presented as a double bill with Pagliacci by Leoncavallo. NWRS also will be singing The Bell Chorus from Pagliacci.

• La Traviata (Verdi), which means “The Fallen Woman,” was first produced in 1853 in Venice and was an utter failure. After some revision, it has become one of Verdi’s most revered operas.

• Candide (Bernstein) is an operetta based on the novella of the same name by Voltaire, and was first produced in 1956. After several revisions, Bernstein produced his final revision in 1989. NWRS is presenting a combination of selections from both revisions.

Presenting a program of opera is part of the vision of our artistic director, Dr. Paul W. Schultz, of presenting a wide range of styles, genres and repertoire at a high artistic level.

Our partner in the concert is Rainier Family Opera, whose mission is to nurture the art of opera through low-cost, sophisticated, family-friendly programs. More information is available at http://rainierfamilyopera.blogspot.com.
 

Whisk away to France for an evening

Our May 22 concert, “Choral Gems from France,” will include works by Debussy, Ravel and Duruflé.

The concert will conclude with Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem, accompanied by Northwest Sinfonietta.

NWRS has performed several times before with Northwest Sinfonietta. This is the first time we have contracted with them to accompany us. 
 

How to purchase tickets

Tickets for the March 13 concert are now available. They are available online, over the phone and at the door. Call 1-800-838-3006 to purchase or buy online by going to NWRS.org.

Tickets are $18 general admission, $15 for seniors and students, and children under 12 are free.

Both concerts will be performed at Mason United Methodist Church, 2710 N. Madison St. in Tacoma.
 

Follow NWRS on Twitter and Facebook

We’d greatly appreciate your help in spreading the word about Northwest Repertory Singers. You can do that face to face with your friends and neighbors and co-workers.

You can also do that by following us on Twitter and Facebook and sharing with others about these sites. We’d encourage you to join our 21 Twitter followers and our 96 Facebook fans.

Check out some new pictures on Facebook from our Christmas concert.
 

Your support is vital

For those who are able, we appreciate your financial support that allows NWRS* to continue to flourish as a premier choral group in the Pacific Northwest.

Go to the NWRS web site for information about how to donate.

Thank you.

* NWRS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization