Independent Opera Company concludes its first season with Giuseppe Verdi’s Macbeth, an operatic representation of Shakespeare’s epic drama of mysticism and tyranny starring acclaimed baritones, Jay Stephenson and Michael Blinco double-cast in the title role of Macbeth. There will be 5 performances only, Saturday June 15 – Sunday June 30.
Verdi brings the audience into a piece that is beautiful in its eeriness. Macbeth is a very sophisticated work with many surprising and unexpected harmonies and rhythms. It seems very unconventional and predicts a lot of musical solutions presented at Verdi’s more familiar later works, such as La Traviata, plus it leads to his most mature works like Otello and Falstaff (also based on Shakespeare plays).
What makes Macbeth so appealing as an opera is that although it is a very dark story, it has catharsis which provides great emotional relief and healing. The plot and the music give the widest range of human emotions from pride to betrayal to despair to justice. It tells us a story of temptation and ambitions gone awry and reminds us that “goals never justify means”. In the end, justice prevails, but the price paid by suffering and precious human lives cannot be redeemed.
MACBETH
Music by Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto by Francesco Maria Pave
Galina Barskaya, Music Director
Scott Blois, Stage Director
Conor Karrel, Assistant Stage Director
June 15 & 16
St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church
11555 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064
Tickets: http://macbeth1.brownpapertickets.com/
June 22 & 23
Lutheran Church of the Master
10931 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Tickets: http://macbeth2.brownpapertickets.com/
June 30
Mt. Olive Lutheran Church (6/30)
1343 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Tickets: http://macbeth3.brownpapertickets.com/
Cast:
Macbeth – Jay Stephenson/Michael Blinco
Lady Macbeth – Erica Lazerow/Natalie Mann
Banco – Herve Blanquart/Patrick Blackwell/Terry James Welborn
Dama di Lady – Victoria Graves/Cynthia Leigh
Macduff – James Salazar
Malcolm – Andrew Bennett/Conor Karrel
Medico/Domestico – Tu Nguyen
Witches: Christa Stevens, Jennifer Lindsay, Ali Borboa, Christie Lynn Lawrence, Jessica Gonzalez-Rodriguez, Belinda Wilkins
Created in the spring of 2012, Independent Opera Company is committed to presenting the highest quality performances at affordable prices. IOC explores a wide range of operas from different styles, periods, and countries. Young and seasoned singers work together in harmony to give audiences a chance to experience the magical and transforming power of opera. Macbeth will conclude Independent Opera Company’s first season which consisted of 4 full length opera. For more information about the company visit www.independentoperacompany.com.
Shakespeare in LA 