This may be the holiday weekend marking the beginning of summer, but for the Niagara Symphony this weekend marks the end of their current season, and they are going out with a musical bang.
Masterworks 7 is entitled A Wild Ride on the Opera Train and brings 19th century music into the 21st century with the help of modern technology. Yes, the NSO is introducing subtitles for tomorrow afternoon's finale featuring assorted soloists and the combined forces of the NSO and Chorus Niagara.
I remember when subtitles were first introduced at the opera probably in the 80s, at The Met if I'm not mistaken. Purists were aghast at the thought but people quickly warmed to the idea of having an entire opera translated for them right before their eyes. Today, it would be almost unthinkable to attend an opera performance without them.
They are not perfect, of course, as they don't always literally convey the message envisioned by the composer in his or her native language. There have also been cringeworthy moments when occasionally the subtitles try to convey the feelings behind the lyrics, not always to great effect.
That being said, they have come a long way over the years and helped unravel many a convoluted plot line along the way. This modern technology will be on full display in Partridge Hall at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre tomorrow afternoon.
Also on display will be some pretty high-powered soloists as well, including sopranos Claire de Sevigne and Aviva Fortunata, tenors Adam Luther and Matthew Dalen, and baritone Justin Welsh. If you love the sound of the bass-baritone as I do, you'll want to hear the low notes of both Christopher Dunham and Domenico Sanfilippo.
Along with the 100-voice Chorus Niagara forces on stage to provide the big choral parts, they will be joined by the Chorus Niagara Children's Choir as well. So by my estimate you'll have about a couple hundred voices and musicians doing their thing in unison on stage tomorrow, and that is worthy of our attention.
Most of the big opera arias and choruses will be featured, including no doubt Libiamo from Verdi's La Traviata. The famous drinking song is known far and wide both within and outside opera circles.
Interested? Tickets I'm told are selling fast, so you can purchase them online at www.firstontariopac.ca or by phone by calling 905-688-0722 or toll free, 1-855-515-0722. The box office will be open this evening until 9 pm and tomorrow afternoon starting at 1:30, although I wouldn't advise waiting that long to get tickets if you have not already done so.
Incidentally, after tomorrow afternoon's concert the box office staff will be accepting in-person 2019-20 subscription renewals only.
So there you go. Nicer weather is here, and great music tomorrow afternoon for you to hear. What could be better than that?
Have a great Victoria Day holiday weekend!
May 18th, 2019.
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