There is a jewel in hooks Opera Bizet ' Pearl Fishers '

In ongoing efforts to expand his repertoire beyond the standard run of "bohemes" and "butterflies (while still satisfying the tastes traditionally conservative Opera public places), the Association of Opera New Orleans on Friday night showed a jewel not staged at the time of generation:" Pearl fishers Bizet. "

Sparkling new production of the company was also a new Opera to many in the audience. Sufficiently made the case that this previous work, the composer of "Carmen" deserves note higher than in General has received. With a score of lushly melodic that includes several large showcases for singers, a setting theatrically compelling exotic and a tragic love triangle old-fashioned good at its core, strings of "The Pearl Fishers" ("les pecheurs de perles") together everything an opera lover could desire.

Perhaps the biggest obstacle for the Opera became a regular part of the repertoire is his libretto – a complicated mess of storytelling. Despite the long passages of Exposition, relationships and motivations are never fully explained or implemented. In fact, the very title itself looks played hand quickly and the audience isn't sure just what the premise configuration or global is, than a triangle in an exotic location, far away (Ceylon).

The deep friendship between Nadir and Zurga (expresses so beautifully in Duet best known opera, "Au fond du Temple Saint"), for example, never fully explained, in spite of increasing such strong emotions that turns love to hatred revenge of an act of extreme self-sacrifice.

what: Association of New Orleans Opera exposes the tragic love story of Georges Bizet. Lisette Oropesa, Liam Bonner and William Burden star. Robert Lyall directs and leads the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra.

Where: Mahalia Jackson theatre for the Performing Arts, Armstrong Park.

When: Final performance at 2: 30 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets: starting at $ 20. Performance day tickets are only available through Ticketmaster online or at the box office theatre.

However, when production is this splendidly Sung and staged, improbabilidades and absurd plot of grand opera readily are ignored.

Born in New Orleans soprano Lisette Oropesa sang the role of Leila, a priestess in the vertex of the triangle. Audiences will remember her debut with the company two seasons ago as Gilda in "rigoletto". Here she truly found his voice, which has developed very well. She has the lightness and flexibility for Bizet lines while also showing an impressive depth and richness, adding layers of colour she is also a lovely singing actress, drawing out all that she can from the function sketchily defined.

Tenor William Burden gave the Hunter Nadir (perhaps most unfortunately named character throughout the Opera) a strong voice that came with some effort. He has a lovely tone but was stretched in upper reaches. Bass Kenneth Weber was impressive and strong as chief priest Nourabad.

The most impressive voice of the night belonged to Zurga, the leader of the tribe, played with talent and Majesty, baritone Liam Bonner. This was a classic performance full of energy and lyrical beauty.

From the abyss, Robert Lyall, Director-General of the company, performs the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra with a rich attention to detail colorful and sweeping melodic feature. He shapes the piece with only the balance: the big swell score never Gets Windy or overwhelming, allowing the nature the most delicate sweet moments to flourish. Elegant playing is heard everywhere, especially of strings, harp and flute. Lyall and LPO prove that Opera is more than one well-known Duet.

Lyall pulled double duty by staging production, also public transportation to your distant time and place. Here also, his sense of balance was worth it. Keeping the Action Fund strangers to a minimum, he kept the focus on the major artists, which could help to overcome the shortcomings of the libretto. Several flashback sequences pantomimed were actually staged dreamy maintain the illusion of the piece.

The Opera Chorus of New Orleans, directed sharply detailed Carol Rausch, added greatly to the success of the production. Some of the settings of corals of Bizet in this opera could rival those of Verdi in his absolute power. The singers treated them fine, while never moving the central focus of the Opera. The dancers of the New Orleans Ballet Theatre, led by choreographer and artistic director Gregory Schramel, added Polish and flair.

Physical production, designed by g. Alan Rusnak, was evocative and elegant. The impressive Temple entrance and mountain setting of leaders like religious shrine of Leila were particularly impressive. Dan Zimmer added lighting to the magic of everything; the storm scene was remarkable. Don and Linda Guillot wigs and costumes are always an asset to any production.

With this production, the Association of New Orleans Opera proves once again how great can be when hitting on all cylinders. There is only one more retrieve this "Pearl" of great value, Sunday matinee performance. Don't let it slip by.

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