Preview: ‘Postcard From Morocco’ On Its Way From Marble City Opera

Guessing in which intriguing, non-theatrical location Marble City Opera will stage their next chamber opera production has become something of a game in the Knoxville music scene. Following last season’s finale of La Traviata staged at Historic Westwood, this season has found them at the Square Room, the nave of St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral, and the bar at the Holiday Inn. What’s next, a former train station? Exactly.

For its next production, MCO is venturing to the recently refurbished Jackson Terminal and has selected the one-act Postcard from Morocco composed by Dominick Argento with a libretto by John Donahue. The 1971 work was commissioned by the predecessor company to the Minnesota Opera and given a premiere in October of that year. In the ensuing 47 years, the work has received numerous productions and quite a lot of critical claim for its composer.

Postcard from Morocco revolves around seven travelers waiting in a train station. From MCO’s synopsis —

“…each of the travelers carries with them a piece of luggage that not only defines their character but also reveals something about their personality. By detailing what they carry in arias scattered throughout the show, each character anchors a vignette that answers a question about their “raison d’etre” and motivates the audience to question their own.”

The singers are—

Mr. Owen: Brandon Evans
Lady with a Hat Box: Ryan Colbert
Foreign Singer: Jennifer Barsamian
Lady with a Hand Mirror: Cat Richmond
Man with Old Luggage: Ryan Ford
Shoe Salesman: Colin Levin
Man with a Cornet Case/Puppet Maker: Daniel Berry

James Marvel is directing; Peter Leonard is conducting. The pianist is Brandon Coffer.