Page 5 - The Islander - May '24

The Islander, Page 5

thEatrE happEnings Fundraising EvEnt from page 1

to $8.3 million since the foundation was formed in 2011.
The need is so very great in Palm Beach County, therefore
our work will continue.”
Rex Recommends In addition to monetary donations, through the
BallenIsles Community Service Committee, BallenIsles’
residents volunteer at local organizations – from feeding
By Rex Hearn the hungry, building homes with Habitat for Humanity
and donating household goods and medical supplies, to
Palm Beach Opera’s does not need such massive forces, 36 players would wrapping presents for children during the holiday season.
Norma which I heard on be sufficient. Director Keturah Stickann moved people For more information on The BallenIsles Charities
April 7, had great voices around expertly, I counted at least 50 supernumeraries Foundation, visit www.BallenIslesCharitiesFoundation.
singing Bellini’s music. on stage. Their comings and goings were seamless drills org. For more information on BallenIsles Country Club,
Soprano Angela Meade, worthy of a guards regiment. visit www.BallenIsles.org.
perhaps the leading, living Chorus Master Gregory Ritchey trained his members
interpreter of this most so well they delivered some brilliant work. Intelligent in
demanding 19th century their approach, often key and central to the action around
Bel Canto role was in them. Bravo chorus.
fine form. Moving from Ashley Dixon’s “Adalgisa” was superb, her soaring
softer passages to dramatic soprano equal to that of Meade’s “Norma.” Dixon is
crescendos with absolute surely one to watch, the next Renee Fleming, one would
command, she kept the audience spellbound as “Norma.” guess. Tenor Paolo Fanale, making his debut, was a
A last-minute substitute for the ailing Jessica Pratt, fine “Pollione.” Nicolas Teste, bass baritone, was a
Meade did not disappoint as the High Priestess. Bellini brilliant “Oroveso” in a commanding and memorable
became the premier exponent of Bel Canto, singing on the performance. He kept the action lively and sang with
breath using the diaphragm to its maximum. Along with ringing steely tones; we will hear more of him, I hope.
contemporaries Verdi, Donizetti and Rossini they were Maria Vasilevskaya’s “Clothilde” was very good and
the leading composers of 19th century Romantic Italian Devin Eatmon’s “Flavio” was perfection. Alas the English
operas. Writing just seven operas, Bellini died young supertitles were dated and needed revision. Hair and wig
at 34. But his close friendship with Rossini saw to it he design by Anika Seitu needed no improvement.
would be remembered. He died in Paris in 1835, miles Ali Pohanka’s makeup designs were also good. John
away from his beloved home, Catania in Sicily. Three of Conklin’s set designs were desultory. Lighting design by
his operas remain in the repertory today: La Sonambula, Mary Shabatura was adequate. A full house treated the
I Puritani and Norma. artists to a standing ovation at the end. The 2025 season
Conductor Carlo Montenaro kept the 85-member pit includes Romeo & Juliet, La Traviata and The Marriage
orchestra nicely nuanced and light. A work of this nature of Figaro. Support the arts!

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