SERIO Opera's Tales of Hoffman on This Evening's Event Menu

Jennifer Coffman as the Muse in Tales of Hoffman Credit: Ben Werley

Attended SERIO Opera's production of The Tales of Hoffman this evening and got to wear a golden laurel wreath, one of the props, at the end of the show. This was my first encounter with the company whose initials stand for Sing Entire Role in Opera. The company has been around for two years under the artistic direction of founder Louisa Jonason. Accompanied on two pianists, one of which was Ms. Jonason, the performance took place at the Pittsburgh Music Academy in Squirrel Hill and featured all local vocalists. While the sets were minimal, the singing was exceptional, thrilling really, when it cane to the gorgeous Barcarolle and the Act IV quintet. William Andrews tackled the title role with aplomb , exceptional stamina and a solid tenor finesse. Jennifer Coffman as The Muse/Nicklausse proved both a fine actress and powerful mezzo. Dashing Anthony Masseto played multiple roles and filled the theater with his luminous bass baritone. Jeffrey Gross was perhaps the evening's most entertaining character who enlivened the show with his comic moues and flashy vocals. Other standouts included Amber Willis as Olympia, Theresa Kesser as Antonia, Sarah Austin as Antonia's mother, Hudson Vasquez Schmitt as Cochinille, Robert (Bob) Herold as Crespel/ Schlemil, Alexa Zeremenko as Giulietta and Michelle Cali as Pittichinaccio. To keep tabs on forthcoming news and upcoming productions, go to https://www.seriowithus.com/

Here's a lovely rendition of the fourth Act barcarolle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0u0M4CMq7uI...

Me with golden Laurel crown. It's small but costly.

Comments

Exciting Things are Happening at PFO!

Dear Friends, I invite you to join me in experiencing the voice of opera legend Csilla Boross as she kicks off our Legends in the Limelight concert series on September 24 at the Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall in Carnegie! Csilla performed the title role of Adriana in PFO’s concert opera debut of Adriana Lecouvreur on September 8 at the Carnegie Music Hall. Please enjoy the below video of Csilla singing Poveri fiori aria Act 4 from our final dress rehearsal! It was truly and amazing performance! I am hopeful you can join us for this magical evening! As you know, at PFO it’s all about the VOICE!!! Much love, Click below for a sneak peak of Csilla Boross: Sneak Peek of Adriana Lecouvreur! - YouTube For More Information and Tickets CLICK HERE Calling all young professionals! Please join us for a PFO Happy Hour this Wednesday, September 18 at the Mansions on Fifth! Come meet our staff as well as other Pittsburgh area young professionals! You will also have the opport...

Mon Valley Fans of Live Theater Get a Sumptuous Taste of Future Possibilities

The Cast of "What Do I Wear, 2,500 Tears of Fashion in Theatre" Credit all Photos: Kelly Tunney The Mon Valley YMCA in Monongahela never looked so festive, so blatantly celebratory, as on the evening of April 13 when a troupe of 16 actors arrived with a trailer full of colorful costumes, many of which were quite elaborate. The audience barely understood the full depth of the dazzle that awaited them as they took their seats for an event exuberantly titled “What Do I Wear, 2,5000 Years of Fashion in Theatre.” The fundraiser for Pittsburgh International Classic Theatre was the brainchild of PICT’s artistic director, Elizabeth Elias Huffman. Elizabeth Huffman at the Podium Huffman conceived of an idea that called for choosing selections from plays that started with the era of the ancient Greeks, marched on through Elizabethan England and Shakespeare, popped in on Restoration England via an American playwright,...

Welcome to Fairyland - The Pittsburgh Savoyards Stage an Enchanting Iolanthe or The Peer and the Peri

Peter Pan has one, Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream has a slew and Gilbert and Sullivan’s Iolanthe, as staged by the Pittsburgh Savoyards, has at least ten - before I stopped counting. Fairies, that is. Just after the opening overture, performed by the 30-plus orchestra, possibly as best as I ever heard it under the baton of Guy Russo, a bevy of maiden fairies dressed in pastel gossamer fairy garb with wings, frolicked across the stage gleefully singing in full-voiced and stunning harmony ”Tripping hither, tripping thither.” There was little to no tripping, however, as they danced nimbly to the spirited song, then segued into expressing their discomfort at the loss of Iolanthe (Savannah Simeone), the one fairy who brought such happy song and spirit to their fairy circle. For such a blissful group there were some draconian laws that govern their behavior, namely, if one were to marry a morta...

Pittsburgh Owlscribe

Search This Blog