The Maryland Opera Society is pleased to present their new web site. Please check back frequently to see what is planned for your operatic pleasure.
The Maryland Opera Society, Incorporated is an ethnically diverse, tax exempt, non-profit organization whose mission is threefold: first, to encourage young, aspiring operatic singers by sponsoring the annual Marie E. Crump Vocal Competition; second, to promote opera appreciation through Education programs; and third, to offer its members evenings of entertainment with a variety of performances, including an Annual Gala, Holiday Concert and yearly bus trip to the Baltimore Opera.
Feel free to register with us to receive email notifications of our upcoming events. We promise that your information will be used solely by our organization.
ANNUAL GALA FUND RAISER
Six o’clock in the evening
Grand Ballroom
Greenbelt Marriott
Ivy Lane,
Greenbelt,
Maryland
(Beltway Exit 23)
Silent Auction,Cash bar, Hors d’oeuvres. Dinner,
and Scenes from
Franz Lehar’s
THE MERRY WIDOW
Donation: $85.00 per person
For further information call 301-262-0842 or 410-956-7977
Reservations must be made by August 25th
October 29 Wednesday
OPERA LECTURE AND LIGHT REFRESHMENTS
Aria and Duets; John Cahill, Lecturer
Wednesday, October 19 2008, 6:00-9:00pm
Bowie City Hall
Kenhill Drive, Bowie, MD
Donation $35 per person; (limited
to 25 participants)
For information and reservations call 301-262-0642 or 240-206-8345
January 11
Sunday
WINTERSONGS AT THE BOWIE MANSION Bowie Mansion 5-8pm
Evening of Opera, Operetta and Musical
Theatre arias and duets
Featuring winners of the Marie Crump Vocal Competitions.
Reception to meet the artists, including a light repast.
Donation $60 per person (Limited to
60 participants)
For information and reservations call
301-262-0842 or 240-206-8345
March 15
Sunday
Annual Bus Trip to Area Opera Production
March 15, 2009
Cavalleria Rusticana & Pagliacci
Bus trip includes Dinner
Details to be announced
Tickets $100 per person
For additional information, call 301-262 0842
or 240-206-8345
April/May
Dates to be announced: Opera Production:
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST by Vittorio Giannini
GIANNI SCHICCHI by Giacomo Puccini
June 19 & 21
Tenth Annual MARIE CRUMP VOCAL COMPETITION
Friday, June 19, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Bowie Center for the Performing Arts
Friday: Semi-Finals
1-5 pm
Sunday: Finals
3-4:30 pm Reception to meet the winners.
Both events are free and open to the public.
For additional information call 301-441-1841
*** REVIEW ***
Gingerbread and Witchcraft at the Opera
The Maryland Opera Society unveiled an enchanting “fairy tale” presentation of the beloved family classic Hansel and Gretel this past week at the Bowie Center for the Performing Arts. Performances were given the evenings of January 17, 18, and 19, and a Sunday afternoon matinee on January 20. Hansel and Gretel was written by the 19th German composer Englebert Humperdinck (not to be confused with the popular British crooner of the 1960’s and 70’s) and has become a standard Holiday favorite on a par with Tchaikovsly’s Nutcracker ballet. This production employed the use of traditional painted backdrops, flats, and set pieces, which allowed the colorful tale to unfold like a children’s storybook. It was captivating to the eye and transported the audience to the imaginary land of a child’s fancy, replete with gingerbread, sugarplums, fairies, angels, and witches! The cast was comprised of a judicious mix of young, upcoming voices intermingled with those of mature and seasoned professionals, which permitted the proper vocal weight and color to the various ages of the opera’s characters.
The decision to cast the title roles with young singers was indeed a happy choice. Waka Osifchin’s soaring and lyric soprano was ideal as the young Gretel. Mezzo Beth Stewart, who sang as her brother Hansel, also possessed a light-timbered voice, which convincingly portrayed the sound of a young boy. Not only did they sing and act well but they also danced well, and director/choreographer Roger Riggle certainly gave them many light-footed steps and antics, which provided a most animated characterization of the sibling duo.
The role of the Mother was sung by soprano Joyce Lundy. In the Humperdinck version of this story the mother is not the “hard-hearted” and cruel woman envisioned in the original Grimm’s fairy tale, but rather a woman distraught by her family’s meager circumstances. Ms. Lundy delivered an excellent portrayal of a mother driven to the edge by poverty and woe. Her voice, lush and full, conveyed great pathos and was easily the most exciting singing in the performance.
Baritone Jose Sacin did not sound comfortable in the role of the Father. A former tenor, it was puzzling to hear him omit the written High A. In fact his entire voice sounded like a tenor pushed down into a baritone range. It must be said however, that he is a convincing actor and delivered his part with impeccably clear diction.
The small but important roles of the Sandman and the Dew Fairy were charmingly captured by soprano Maura Welsh. Her characterizations enhanced by a well-choreographed delivery.
Needless to say, the star of the show (Humperdinck wrote it that way) was contralto Susan Sevier as the Witch Rosina Daintymouth. Her snarling and highly colored voice was simply perfect for this role. Outrageously costumed and “made-up,” she was a fright to behold. The insidious cackle she produced even scared me! The audience roared with delight when she was pulled from her oven, baked into an enormous gingerbread.
The corps de ballet and children’s chorus were a highlight of the show and the icing on the cake of this delightful confection. It would be hard to imagine a better costumed or danced ballet, even in a major opera house. The children of the chorus, who had been transformed into gingerbreads by the evil witch, appear only at the very end when Hansel breaks their spell with a wave of the dead witch’s wand. The joyous singing and dancing of these “kids” completely upstaged everyone in the show. Children have a way of doing that and the packed audience rewarded them vociferously.
Stage Director/Choreographer Roger Bennett Riggle, Jr. showed great imagination in his concept of this opera and demonstrated a finely tuned sensitivity in the direction of opera singers, as well as an understanding of operatic conventions. The focal points were always delineated and the characterizations well developed. His work is most impressive.
At the helm of the production was the Maryland Opera Society’s Artistic Director, composer/conductor Gerald F. Muller. He led a very tight performance, producing a rich and warm sound from the large orchestra that never overwhelmed the singers. He seemed to take great pleasure in articulating the many leit-motifs in this work, poking fun in particular at the motif of the giants Fasolt and Fafner, “borrowed” by Humperdinck from Wagner’s Das Rheingold to express the dangers that lie hidden to the children in the deep, dark forest. Maestro Muller is a seasoned opera conductor who understands the art of accompanying. He gives his singer’s plenty of room for breathing and expression without ever letting the music become flabby. This is a finely developed technique that somehow escapes many conductors. It was joy to watch him in action.
Hansel and Gretel was an ambitious first production for the Maryland Opera Society. It was well conceived, well cast, and well performed. I applaud their decision to mount the opera in English (which was easily understood) and forgo the use of super-titles. It kept the focus where it should be: on the stage! This type of production develops new audiences of all ages for opera in a most positive fashion. I wish them ongoing success and can only hope they will continue in this manner.
James Sparacino
Special the Bowie Blade-News
Educational Programs
The Educational Programs have included Sunday evening lectures and dinners. The lectures that discuss such topcs as opera history, composers and the operatic voice, are presented by professors from local universities, active teachers, and opera organization luminaries.
Opera Appreciation
Semi-staged scenes and productions are performed throughout the year when appropriate to foster young professionals. These performances encourage young opera singers in the region to pursue their dreams.
The Annual Gala is one of the most popular events. It includes operatic entertainment and dinner, and serves as an annual fund-raiser for the Maryland Opera Society.
The Holiday concert is held in December each year. Whenever possible, the Marie E. Crump Vocal Competition winners are encouraged to return and perform arias and holiday favorites. The evening includes holiday cheer and a wonderful meal.
The Society sponsors an annual bus trip to the
Baltimore Opera for a Sunday afternoon matinee. The day's excursion concludes with dinner at a local establishment.
Tickets are available for these events by contacting the MOS.
CONTACT US!
The Maryland Opera Society, Inc.
P.O. Box 36
Bowie, Maryland 20719
301-262-0842
301-441-1841
a non-profit, tax-exempt, ethnically diverse organization
Board Members
Board of Directors
Mrs. Marie E. Crump, Founder (1914-2005)
Mr. Stephen Cone, Interim President
Mrs. Sally Guaragna, First Vice President
Mr. William Amatruda, Treasurer
Mrs. Shirley Kerchner, Secretary
Dr. Gerald F. Muller, DMA, Artistic Director and General Manager
Board Members
Mr. John Arslanian
Ms. Ann Burt
Mr. Stephen Campanella
Ms. Margaret Gregory
Ms. Milly Hall
Ms. Pat Houck
Ms. Helen W. Meagher
Mrs. Myrtle Porter
Ms. Lorraine Whipple
