Talk about previewing upcoming attractions! Nobody does it as well as Opera in Williamsburg, the latest thrust of advance awareness for its September production of “La Boheme” will soon be in full swing. Not that Puccini’s “Boheme” can’t stand on its own in name recognition. One of the opera world’s best-known works and one with endless flowing arias and ensembles, “Boheme” is a two- or three-hanky opera that takes on the ups and downs of love to the ultimate.
While the fully-staged production with chamber orchestra takes place Sept. 7 and 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Sept. 11 at 2 p.m. in the Kimball Theatre on DoG Street, there are several events to allow a tasty sampling of the piece.
A meet-the-artists outdoor event takes place at 7 p.m. Aug. 26 at the Village Green, 200 College Row, (behind Sal’s by Victor). Singers from “Boheme” will deliver a free outdoors concert. Bring lawn chairs and sit on the lawn. Free parking is nearby.
Then, at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 2 in the Kimball, OiW will host an open working rehearsal. This is not a full run of the opera, just a chance to see the stage director working with the singers to polish the product. Registration is required.
And, as part of OiW’s effort to bring young opera lovers into the fold, a dress rehearsal is open and free for K-12 students with chaperones. The dress rehearsal takes place Sept. 5 at 2:30 p.m. in the Kimball. As with the open working rehearsal, registration is required. When doing so, choose “education and outreach” and then “dress rehearsal.”
As for the actual performances, patrons are urged to come an hour before each show to hear Dr. Glenn Winters talk about “Boheme.” An opera expert, Winters always brings interesting and charmingly presented insight into the opera at hand and provides “musical cues” to listen for in the production. The lecture is free for ticket holders. Registration is requested.
Information on just about everything concerning “Boheme” is available at www.operainwilliamsburg.org. At this site, you can register for the above events and purchase tickets that start at $52, with discounts for seniors, first responders, military, college faculty and staff, teachers and librarians. Tickets are $15 for students K-12 and in college.
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Open Door Concert Series
An event that has somewhat flown under the radar has surfaced and well-worth attention. The Williamsburg Presbyterian Church has a very interesting concert series lined up for 2022-2023. Called the “Open Door Concert Series,” the series has been showcasing programs for several years.
The series presents a wide variety of performing arts programs throughout the year. And the really great thing is the concerts are free and begin at 4 p.m., with a reception following each program. In looking ahead, there’s an organ program planned for January, and the church’s organ is this side of spectacular. So, watch for more Arts Notes about that.
The first event of the season takes place Sept. 11 with the Atlantic Chamber Ensemble. The ensemble is made up of musicians from the Richmond Symphony and faculty members of nearby universities. Several are familiar faces from performing with the Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra. A fine collection of talent.
Consisting of strings, winds and piano, Atlantic Chamber enjoys offering new music, augmenting its classical roots. The upcoming program, “The Day that Changed the World,” according to the Open Door website, ” …will explore the musical arc of our shared experiences since September 11, 2001.”
The programs take place in Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, 215 Richmond Road. For information about the series or to sign up as a supporter, visit concerts@mywpc.org. Or call 757-229-4235.
The symphony
The Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra League is sponsoring a get-to-know the new music director, Michael Butterman, at a lunch at Le Yaca, at 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 27. He’ll talk to the patrons about the upcoming season and, most likely, about future plans and hopes for the WSO. The lunch will be Le Yaca’s popular prix-fixe menu with appetizers, one of three entrée choices and dessert. Beverages are on your own. Seating is limited to 48, so a good idea to get a reservation now. Cost is $65, $30 of which is tax deductible. For those keeping track of such things, this is the first indoor Encore Affair event to be held since 2019. To reserve tickets, visit league@williamsburgsymphony.org and for more information about the League, visit www.williamsburgsymphony.org/league.
The lunch is two days before the first concert of the 2022-23 season which will feature Natasha Paremski, an award-winning pianist who’s been acclaimed for her virtuosity and interpretive skills, control, sensitivity and flawless technique. She’s performed with important orchestras around the world and has worked with equally important conductors. Those qualities will be showcased in her rendering of the Rachmaninoff “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini,” which she has recorded with the Royal Philharmonic.
The program will also include the Brahms “Variations on a Theme of Joseph Haydn,” Korngold Theme and Variations” and Hindemith Symphonic Metamorphosis of Themes by Carl Maria von Weber, the latter an amazingly exciting work. Butterman will present a pre-concert lecture from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Based on his comments during his audition program, Butterman is a mighty compelling speaker. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Williamsburg Community Chapel. It will also be live streamed. For information about the event and tickets, visit www.williamsburgsymphony.org.
Have news about the arts in the Historic Triangle? Contact John Shulson, johnshulson@gmail.com.
