Roving Pittsburgher Report: Dandy Dreams - A Review of Paul’s Case, Feb. 22nd 2014 Performance

Dandy Dreams
A Review of Paul’s Case, Feb. 22nd 2014 Performance

From: Roving Pittsburgher Report and PositivePittsburghLiveMagazine.com
Written By: Stephanie Curtice | Feb. 23, 2014

Some things have not changed since 1906. Times are tough, but America still is the land of opportunity. In school, society encourages kids to dream big and work hard to be successful. But young, starry eyed Paul went off the rails at the work hard part. When the young and dumb blaze their own trail and buck the system, there can be stark consequences to pay.

Last night Paul’s Case fittingly made its local debut at the Pittsburgh Opera. The 2013 American opera is half set in Pittsburgh, including the Carnegie Music Hall. Based on the like-titled 1905 story by Willa Cather, composer Gregory Spears and co-libretist Kathryn Walat bring together minimalistic and baroque musical elements to depict Paul’s self-centered life.

Paul's Case at the Pittsburgh Opera
(photo courtesy: David Bachman)

Paul is a polite, but smart-alecky high school student who wants to break free of the working class life of Pittsburgh and enjoy the glitz and glam of New York City’s easy street. The allure of the shiny stage lights and fame are fed by his part-time job as an usher at the Carnegie Music Hall. After getting expelled from school his father shows Paul some tough love by forcing him to work a “real” job.

After stealing a hefty sum from his new employer Paul a makes run of it in New York City. He uses his stolen funds to bankroll a lavish up-scale life with new dapper duds and residency at the Waldorff Astoria. With one poor decision after another, he spends a drunken night on the town, only to find himself waking to more than a hangover. He is found out and his actions begin to catch up with him. Revolver in hand and no further dreams than living the high life, young Paul goes into a tailspin.

The cautionary tale is chock-full of hopes and dreams, disappointment and failure, depicted with dissonant tonal clusters, large oscillating jumps, and repetitive melodic snip-its. The performance featured fine singing, a small chamber orchestra, and very minimalistic production. Of the small 7 person cast, Daniel Curran (Paul) and Alex DeSocio (Father) were my favorites with clear and beautiful singing that was easy to understand. The intimacy of the Pittsburgh Opera in the Strip District was the perfect setting for this opera. The engaging performance will leave you feeling truly connected to Paul and his father, and bewildered by the tragic ending.

Additional Performances:

Friday, Feb 25th  |  7 PM  |  Pittsburgh Opera
Friday, Feb 28th  |  8 PM  |  Pittsburgh Opera
Sunday, Mar 2nd  |  2 PM  |  Pittsburgh Opera

By: Stephanie Curtice

Good News and Cultural Reporter

PositivelyPittsburghLiveMagazine.com

RovingPittsburgher.blogspot.com
TheNewGirlintheBurgh.blogspot.com

(c) PositivelyPittsburghLiveMagazine.com 2014

Don Giovanni, Plot After Plot

Reviewed by Good News Reporter

Joanne Quinn-Smith

First of all I have to say for having been written in the seventeen hundreds, the modern daytime soaps could not have done it better.  From Olympian numbers of sexual partners to blatant anti-social behavior Don Giovanni was the stuff of dark serial soaps.  One could not help but get caught up in the story, the musicality and the character development.  Even if you do not understand Italian, you could not escape any of this.

I read that one reviewer was distracted by the movable blockades or banisters used for exits and entries of characters. I have to say that was not a challenge for me.  Actually I was rather impressed with the changing of scenes without moving scenery.  I found it very subtle and not distracting.  I was too busy with the opera and its many subplots to worry about the scenery.  However I did love the changing of the lighting colors on the chair in the balcony.  That was symbolically impressive. 

Don Giovanni and Zerlina David Bachman Photography

My favorite male character however was the servant Leporello(Wayne Tigges) who although he rants and rails about his master, really wants to be him as most of the men in the drama do. Mr Tigges wonderful body language was only surpassed by his voice.  Also I was absolutely enthralled by the wily and suggestive young maiden. Zerlina (Sari Gruber), who leavers her husband on their wedding night to spend time with Don Giovanni. Again her playful antics matched her playful voice.  Developed better she was probably Don Giovanni’s moral or amoral counterpart.

The cast was strong, the plot was stronger and just like so many Titan classics, the story and the presentation left you wondering what happened to the other characters when they no longer had Don Giovanni to color their lives.

Don Giovanni-Hell!  David Bachman Photography

Unlike many operas which leave you humming an aria or tune this was truly a story or many stories woven into one with drama, intrigue, intense character development and true entertainment value.  I especially like that there really was no triumph of good over evil as the vengeful goals of many of the characters actually pulled them down to Don Giovanni’s level.  There was actually a lot of grey area as to the morality of the play.  But true to the times, morality was very pragmatic at the time.  Even though written two hundred years after The Prince, the Machiavellian spirit has prevailed on the story line of this opera.

Don Giovanni runs through Sunday, November 11, 2012 Additional information at:  http://www.pittsburghopera.org/shows/view/30

Radio Host and Serial Blogger, Joanne Quinn-Smith is the host of PositivelyPittsburghLive™ Internet Talkcast and TechnoGrannyShow™  On her shows, Joanne has interviewed over 1800 guests.  As an advocate for small Business, she was awarded the National Small Business Administration Journalist of the Year Award.  She is also the publisher of PositivelyPittsburghLiveMagazine.com which is a 2010 National Stevie Award finalist for best Media Website or Blog. PPL Mag features the GOOD NEWS, about Pittsburgh  and is  Pittsburgh’s First internet radio and TV network. PPL Mag attracted 2.25 million visitors last year.  Her radio network has accumulated over one million listeners. The Creative Energy Officer of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates, Joanne also teaches her online media platform building to small businesses in a client personalized, “Web2.0 Gorilla Branding Training™”.  Connect with Joanne at:  http://joannequinnsmith.com

Rigoletto at Pittsburgh Opera, Revenge the Italian Renaissance Way

Rigoletto at Pittsburgh Opera

VERDI’S RIGOLETTO

Pittsburgh Symphony 

October 6, 9, 12, 14 2012

REVIEW by JoAnn R. Forrester

RIGOLETTO…REVENGE…THE ITALIAN RENNAISANCE WAY!

 The prime time soap Revenge, that so many are loving to watch with its sex, vengeance, murder, betrayal, dastardly people, sexual conquests and scandals has met its match and MUCH more in Verdi’s opera RIGOLETT0.  We think, today, we live in immoral and scandalous times…hah! It is nothing compared to the Italian Renaissance where excess was the rule.  Fabulous amazing art was created and flourished during that period … but the morals of the time were centered on the pleasure and revenge principal. Life for the rich, powerful and nobility was one constant hunt for pleasure and relief from boredom.

I love the opera for many reasons.  First let me explain I am not musically trained.  I do not have the ear of a music coach.  I am lucky that I know  women sing alto, soprano, mezzo soprano, contralto, men think bass, tenor  and baritone (I hope this is right).  What I love about the opera is how the drama and foibles of life are portrayed.  I find myself engulfed in the drama and music.  I lose myself and I am transported to that time and period. 

Rigoletto was filled with performances I enjoyed.  The singing, the dramatic acting, the costumes (on and off stage) the scenery, all conveyed this mesmerizing and yet dangerous age.  The search for pleasure rules the day.  The wealthy and powerful seek relief from boredom by affairs, intrigues while maintaining their power by political manipulation, cruelty, power and assassinations.

The story centers around Rigoletto, the court jester, a hunch back, who wields his personal bitterness into a sharp tongue to amuse, jab and make fools of all those involved in Duke Mantua’s court.  While he amuses the Duke he antagonizes many of his “followers” and they look for ways to make a “fool” out of him.

Photos by David Bachman for Pittsburgh Opera

Rigoletto has a secret….he has a daughter.  Gilda, young, beautiful, terribly naïve, and longing for romance. He loves her and wants to protect her from all harm. And of course that cannot happen.  His love for her and desire for vengeance after the Dukes betrayal becomes the source of his downfall and ultimate tragedy.

I invite you go see this fabulous Italian opera.Rigoletto.  You will enjoy the experience of the sights, sounds and ambiance of it.   Go and have a wonderful time indulging your secret soap opera fantasies.

Also for those classic opera fans my Italian, opera loving companion tells me you will not be disappointed by Michael W. Lee’s Rendition of “La Donna e Mobile”.  TechnoGranny says the aria was an instant success as soon as this opera hit its original stage in Venice and a classic hit today.   She remembers her Italian uncle Si Pepe, singing it repeatedly around their home when she was a young girl.

  

JoAnn Forrester is the Host of Empress of Biz, Reinvent in Rugged Times, a business Talkcast syndicated on PPLMag, Pittsburgh's First Internet Radio and TV Network.  You can hear JoAnn at Business friends every Thursday at 9 AM on the TalkShoe network or archived later at:  http://pplmag.com