Late spring has always been a busy time for Marble City Opera and this year is no exception. Last Saturday evening found them in Oak Ridge at the Grove Theatre in a performance of Tom Cipullo’s Josephine, a monodrama focused on the legendary and complex entertainer and civil rights advocate, Josephine Baker. Directed by MCO’s Kathryn Frady and featuring soprano Manna K. Jones as Josephine, the one-act opera is set in Baker’s dressing room in a theatre in Paris, where she she is being interviewed prior to an attempt at a comeback shortly before her death.
While Jones’ vocal performance as Josephine covered the character with both the softness of silk and the strength of steel, her dramatic take on Baker held even greater contrasts, bubbling with outbursts of satisfaction, bitterness, and pride, all the while compressing or expanding each emotion rhythmically. Jones’ ability to succeed with both sides of a complex personality was masterful.
The rather complex score was handled brilliantly by keyboardist Brandon Coffer.
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And June continues…
Marble City Opera’s month of June continues this weekend as it presents Opera in the Park, at Marble Hall in Knoxville’s Lakeshore Park at 7:00 PM. This program features local singers in an eclectic mix of opera and Broadway selections. The concert is free.
June concludes with two performances at the Grove Theatre in Oak Ridge of The Tragedy of Carmen, an adaptation of the original Prosper Mérimée novella and Georges Bizet’s blockbuster opera Carmen. This adaptation by The Tragedy of Carmen lovingly condenses the story into approximately 90 minutes, focusing on the darker elements of the original novella that offer a more intimate and grittier storyline.
The score was adapted by Marius Constant and orchestrated for a 15-piece chamber ensemble. Traditionalists should not despair as it still contains the familiar melodies of the “Habanera,” “Seguidilla,” and Don José’s “Flower Song”, but in an adaption that pairs well with the more condensed narrative.
Returning to MCO from their previous productions of Susannah and Pagliacci is conductor Andy Anderson. Also returning is Edward Brennan singing the role of Don Jose with MCO Artistic Director Kathryn Frady singing the role of Carmen. Geoffrey Peterson will be heard as Escamillo, Jacquie Reynolds as Micaela, and Maurice Hendricks as Zuniga.
Marya Barry Christoffel and Frady are directing.
Performances are Thursday and Saturday, June 18 and 20, 7:30PM, at the Grove Theatre in downtown Oak Ridge.
