I have always wondered why going to the opera was such a big deal. Then again, I had never gone to one until Friday night. Upon my venture to the UNM Opera Theatre and Symphony Orchestra's performance, I was stripped of all my preconceived misconceptions and bombarded with a new slew of guided perceptions - most of which are positive.
The show featured two one-act operas: Igor Stravinsky's "Mavra" and Gaetano Donizetti's "Rita." With performers of all ages - starting from sophomores in college and extending to UNM alumni - the performance was a collection of talent from every end of the spectrum. In rehearsal since January, the production displayed dedication and hard work.
At first, I maintained my skepticism regarding the whole opera motif but once the music began and the singing started, I was filled with wonderment and admiration. I never imagined that such a wide range of intonations was possible - either vocally or instrumentally.
"Marva" is the story of a young girl, Parasha, who lives in a small suburb in St. Petersburg, Russia. The opera is set in 1922, at Parasha's house. Recently enamored, Parasha is paid a visit by her lothario, Vassily. Their blissful moment is suspended when Parasha's mother enters to grumble about the lack of everyday comfort, which is onset by the death of their trusty cook and housemaid. She sends Parasha out in search of a proxy with an inexpensive work ethic. While Parasha is out, the neighbor, Peterovna, pays her mother a visit and the two women engage in leisurely prattle about the misfortunes of simple living. Parasha, who is cunning enough to devise a scam that will allow Vassily to be hired as the new servant, returns with him dressed as a sort of pre-industrial drag queen. The two older women fall for the trick, and Vassily and Parasha are convinced that "the cat is in the bag." Following her mother's request to supervise the new hired hand, Parasha does so - in the matters of love. Her mother plans to go out and requests that Parasha go with her. Vassily, who is left alone in the house for the first time, intends to enjoy his short-lived freedom. He strips out of his "womanhood" and reverts back into his masculinity, deciding that it's time to shave. As he coats his face with shave cream and prepares for his task, Parasha, her mother and Petranova return from their outing to find "a robber" in the house. Parasha's mother, hysterical with disbelief, practically faints as Vassily escapes and leaves behind his love. Pretty impressive considering Stravinsky was only 17 when he wrote this.
"Rita" takes place in a small pizzeria in Jersey City in 1955. The story revolves around a successful motel and pizzeria owner, Rita, who is somewhat of a militant feminist. At the opening of the piece, she sings of her happy life with a new husband who is clumsy but nonetheless ideal. She also sings of the past tragedies that took the life of her first husband in a sea accident and claimed her first business with a tremendous fire. Her life in this particular moment, however, is enough to satiate her heart's content. At least, until her husband, Beppe, enters with a broken lamp. Rita angrily punishes her mate and leaves him alone to think about what he has done. Just then, a visitor named Gasparo arrives to have a drink and stay overnight. He has come to the United States to obtain proof of his first wife's death so that he can marry his new fiancÇe in Canada. He begins to give Beppe advice about living in marital pleasure - specifically that the man should do the harrying.
After the two men finish their fits of male empowerment, Rita returns to see why her husband is "palling around" with the guests. At first sight of each other, Rita and Gasparo are frightened by the realization that they were once more than just innkeeper and guest - they were married. It turns out that Rita's husband didn't die at sea and that Gasparo's wife didn't die in a fire. Now the dilemma - who gets to stay with combative Rita? The men decide to play for the heavy hand of the authoritarian woman, with the winner being the loser because both men decide they don't really want to put up with Rita's dictatorial ways.
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Unfortunately for Gasparo, he "loses" and wins Rita's cold affection. Yet, he has an idea that will ensure his liberation. Pretending to have lost the use of one arm, Gasparo approaches Rita and wrestles the marriage certificate from her. Suddenly, Beppe is reminded of his faithful love for Rita and decides he wants to stay married after all. The two renewed lovebirds bid farewell to the conniving ex-husband and everyone - I assume - lives happily ever after. Not only was this opera hilarious, it included enchanting singing and beautiful music.
Since Friday, I have been walking around singing opera-like melodies with my own out-of-tune vocalizations. My friends are irritated and want me to stop, but I can't seem to - the opera made a lasting impression on me. The fact that I've been singing the one line I remember from Friday night over and over again says so much more than any description a review can give. Let's just say I'll be attending many more of these musical masterpieces in the future.
