What happens in the next thirty days in the Covid-19 pandemic will be a determining factor in how and when Knoxville is able to re-open its art and music scene. How will re-opening affect the number and demographics of new infections? Will infections continue to increase or begin to show signs of easing? In this instance, though, all of the arts are not equal in how they fare in terms of safety of artists and audience. For example, viewing a painting while social distancing is much different than being in a closed space with casts of actors, singers, and musicians. While everyone—including this writer—is clearly anxious to return to public performances, we can’t push the unfortunate present reality to a backburner in our enthusiasm to make up for lost time and lost creative efforts.
Marble City Opera announced previously that they were moving their late-spring production, Leoncavallo’s I Pagliacci, to August 13-15, still at the Tennessee Amphitheater. Click here for MCO artistic director Kathryn Frady’s comments on this production and the schedule for 2020-21.
MARBLE CITY OPERA – UPCOMING PRODUCTIONS
I Pagliacci – Leoncavallo’s tale of jealousy, love, & murder! Audience size will be limited; orchestra and chorus has been cut to conform with City of Knoxville safety standards for re-opening.
August 13, 14, 15, 2020 — Tennessee Amphitheater in World’s Fair Park — 7:30pm
Winterreise (Winter Journey) Franz Schubert
Franz Schubert’s song cycle will be performed as a monodrama with staging and video projections.
November 6 & 7, 2020 — First Baptist Downtown Knoxville
Soldier’s Tale by Igor Stravinsky
A joint production between MCO and the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra as a part of their Chamber Classic Series.
The cautionary tale of a soldier who trades his fiddle to the devil for fame and fortune through narration, dance, and music. Tickets can be purchased through the Knoxville Symphony.
Sunday, February 7, 2021 — 2:30pm — The Bijou Theater
Royal Flush by Frank Pesci
The world premiere of a tale of five women playing poker and the nature of their relationships.
March 12, 13, & 14, 2021 — the Old City Performing Arts Center
Tosca by Giacomo Puccini
MCO returns to St. John’s Cathedral for a non-traditional staging of Puccini’s classic. Act I will begin in the cathedral, and the audience will follow the action to the great hall for Act II, and the courtyard for the dramatic finale in Act III.
June 4, 5 & 6, 2021 — St John’s Cathedral
