OPERA IN VALLEJO

I attended the opera in Vallejo on Sunday.  The Verismo Opera Company performed Verdi’s La Forza del Destino in our recently opened Bay Area Stage Theatre on Broadway, across the street from my favorite ice-cream parlor/bakery, Paleteria & Pasteleria La Michoacana.

It couldn’t have been more convenient; the drive took all of seven minutes; I found a spot in the reserved parking alley next door, and walked just a few steps to the theatre, which keeps improving each time I go.  They’ve now installed a graded seating area, which makes the theatre experience better than ever.

Inside, I was greeted by smiling, happy faces, and paid $15 for a seat which I found easily in the second row center.  By show time, the house was nearly full.  There was a small chamber orchestra of six excellent players, and the conductor, Michael Moran, who did a great job.  We had a screen that told us what was being sung, in English.  Costumes were gorgeous.  The stage had a few simple props, dominated by a large crucifix in the center that made me feel that serious punishment was coming.  

Some of the singing was sublime with voices you might hear in the Met.  Jennifer Torossian-Studley as Donna Leonora, Josh Bongers as Don Alvaro, Steve Zimmerman as Don Carlo, and Susan Thieme as Preziosilla gave outstanding performances. In fact, everyone in the cast was fine; they remembered the words, knew where to move, and hit all the notes; they performed the challenging, melodramatic opera skillfully, with all their hearts & souls.  

From the first powerful chords I was into it.  Verdi’s score is so deeply emotional, the story so profoundly heart-breaking, only a stone would not be moved.  I cried during one of Leonora’s arias, sung by Jennifer Der Torossian-Studley.   

OK, it’s not the Met, but it’s what we got, and it’s really good; a treasure in our city.  The Verismo Opera Company brings great art and beauty to Vallejo, and I recommend it as a wonderful way to enjoy a Sunday afternoon.  

Don’t forget the treats across the street.

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