The Opera Tattler

* Notes *

Festival Opera held a Spring Soirée at Piedmont Center for the Arts last Sunday, March 29. The weather was splendidly warm, and as the venue does not have air conditioning, I was glad I was wearing a light, fluffy gown.

The afternoon included a silent auction, a paddle raise Fund A Need, and a couple of interspersed musical performances, which were, of course, the best part.

The first bit of music came from soprano Carrie Hennessey accompanied by pianist Daniel Lockert. We heard a vibrant “Voici que le printemps” by Debussy and a powerful “Depuis le jour” from Carpentier’s Louise. Hennessey’s voice is strong.

The second half was billed as a Salon Concert, and again we heard songs of Spring from Hennessey. There was a bright and cheery “Au printemps” by Gounod to a funny “Screw Spring” by Richard Hundley.

I noticed that the program included a duet from Pagliacci and was befuddled by who the baritone might be, but I should have known that the General Director himself. We had recently heard him in Ars Minerva’s Ercole amante, afterall.

They ended with Fauré’s “Pleurs d’or,” which is also a duet. They sang very prettily and were matched nicely. The room was intimate and it was lovely to hear these voices at close quarters.

* Tattling *

A cellular phone rang near the end of the Pagliacci.

There was a very well-behaved and tiny service dog at this performance that never made a sound the whole 2 hours we were there.

I am really looking forward to Festival Opera’s next production, Alcina, which opens on June 19 in Walnut Creek.