The 1891 Fredonia Opera House continues the 2011-12 season of Live at the Met high definition opera broadcasts with Philip Glass' inspirational opera of social change, Satyagraha, on Saturday at 1 p.m.
"We're very excited to be presenting our first full season of live opera transmissions; there's something very exhilarating about presenting the live broadcasts as they are being performed at the Met," says Opera House Executive Director Rick Davis. "And this week's opera, Satyagraha, not only features a very interesting score by Philip Glass, but visually, it's absolutely stunning!"
Philip Glass' 20th-century masterpiece, Satyagraha, is an inspirational retelling of Mohandas K. Gandhi's formative philosophical experiences as a young man in South Africa. The minimalist score, sung in Sanskrit, features lyrics drawn from the sacred Hindu text, the Bhagavad Gita. Phelim McDermott's visually extravagant production uses large-scale puppetry, acrobatics and supertitles to create a moving, life-affirming theatrical experience.
Article Photos
Submitted photo
Richard Croft stars as Gandhi in the Met’s production of Philip Glass’ inspirational contemporary opera Satyagraha. The opera will be screened live in high definition at the 1891 Fredonia Opera House on Saturday starting at 1 p.m.
Richard Croft portrays Gandhi, a role he first sang to critical acclaim in the 2008 Met premiere of the work. The cast also includes Rachelle Durkin as Miss Schlesen, Kim Josephson as Mr. Kallenbach, and Alfred Walker as Parsi Rustomji. Contemporary music specialist Dante Anzolini conducts.
The Washington Post calls Satyagraha "a profound and beautiful work of theatre." The Los Angeles Times calls it "a work of genius."
The broadcast lasts three hours 45 minutes, notes Davis. "There are two intermissions," he adds, "during which the Opera House will have snacks, beverages and box lunches available for purchase in the trustees room on the second floor of Village Hall. (No food or beverage is allowed inside the theatre.)"
Live at the Met opera broadcasts are made possible by Dr. James M. and Marcia Merrins, who funded the purchase of the satellite transmission and projection equipment used in the series. Additional support comes from Bob and Shirley Coon, Bob and Susan Dilks, Steve and Mary Rees and DFT Communications.
Tickets to Satyagraha are $20 ($18 for Opera House and Met members, $15 for students) and are available in advance by calling or visiting the Box Office at 679-1891 Tuesday Friday, 1 to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 2 to 5 p.m. They also may be purchased online anytime at www.fredopera.org.
Chautauqua County's only performing arts center presenting its own programming year-round, the 1891 Fredonia Opera House is a member-supported not-for-profit organization located in Village Hall in downtown Fredonia. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.fredopera.org.
