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An epic about war, love and vengeance...Two brothers separated in infancy are brought up to be rivals...A secret only to be revealed at the price of death...
It is all about the forthcoming "Il Trovatore", an opera in four acts to be presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department as a centenary commemoration of the death of Giuseppe Verdi, the reputable Italian opera legend. The opera will be staged at 7.30 pm on September 28 to 30 and October 2 to 3 (Friday to Wednesday, except Monday), and 2.30pm on October 1 (Monday) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre.
Libretto by Salvatore Cammarano based on the original play of Garcia Gutierrez,ˇ§Il Trovatoreˇ¨is an opera of immense verse. There is sweeping terseness and a latent energy that drives the rhythm forward onto the powerful climax of each scene. Such climatic moments contrast with lyrical passages of extreme beauty.
The story describes the complicated relationships between two families and involves two generations: The Count's father burned a gypsy woman, who was said to be a witch. The witch's daughter, Azucena, abducted one of his sons in revenge and brought him up. The little boy was re-named as Manrico and he became a troubadour. Leonora fell in love with Manrico, yet the Count Di Luna also adored the pretty lady... The two brothers fought against each other for Leonora and she committed suicide to rescue Manrico but failed. The Count had Manrico executed - and Azucena revealed that he has killed his own brother. Her mother was finally avenged!
Music in "Il Trovatore" captures the distinctive personality and unfolds the intense emotion of each character. Among the outstanding set pieces in the opera, there are the famous "Anvil" and soldiers' choruses; the heroine's aria "Tacea la notte placida" and her great scena "D'amor sull'ali rosee"; the hero's expressive pledge of love "Ah si, ben mio" and his rousing war-cry "Di quella pira"; the baritone's lyrical love-song "Il balen del suo sorriso"; the gypsy's dramatic "Stride la vampa"; the bass' scary narrative "Abbietta zingara"; the exciting trio before the duel and the deeply moving duets between mother and son. All these contribute to the everlasting attraction and indeed the artistic immortality of Verdi's "Il Trovatore".
Giuseppe Verdi was born into a poor family of small landowners in 1813. He started studying with the organist at the main church in nearby Busseto when he was 12. He was later sent to Milan to have formal training and became an opera giant. Major productions among his 28 works include "Nabucco", "Rigoletto", "La Traviata", "Aida", Shakespeare works "Otello" and "Falstaff", etc.
Professionals involved in "Il Trovatore" include Prof. Lo King-man (Producer/Director), David Stern (Conductor) who is the son of the great violinist Isaac Stern, Raymond Fu (Chorus Master) and Susan Street (Choreographer), together with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, the Hong Kong Opera Society Chorus and the Hong Kong Academy Dancers. Cast for "Il Trovatore" are also brilliant, which includes tenors Piero Giuliacci and Scott Flaherty as Manrico, sopranos Joanna Porackova and Manhua Gao as Leonora, mezzo-soprano Barbara McAlister and Ning Liang as Azucena, baritone Ping Yu and Mario di Marco as Luna and bass Michael Rippon as Ferrando.
Performed in Italian with Chinese and English surtitles, tickets of "Il Trovatore" priced at $680, $540, $390, $250 and $120 for the evening performances and $590, $480, $350, $220 and $100 for the matinee are now available at all URBTIX outlets. Half price concessions will be granted to senior citizens, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistant Recipients (Limited student and CSSA tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis). A 10% discount is also available for Friends of LCSD performing venues. There will also be a 10% discount for every purchase of 4 to 9 tickets, 15% for 10 to 19 tickets and 20% for 20 tickets or more.
Programme enquiries can be made on 2734 2935 while ticketing enquiries and reservation on 2734 9009.
End/ Thursday, August 16, 2001
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