Opera company announces 2008 season

Will offer training to young singers

By TOM KANE

NARROWSBURG, NY - Two bad boys of opera will reach the local opera stage this summer.

The Delaware Valley Opera, which is located in Narrowsburg, will present the Mozart opera “Don Giovanni” and Donizetti’s “Don Pasquale,” two classic operas about two classic womanizers.

A third production, called “Divas on the Delaware,” will also hit the boards and will feature singers who will attend a training program that DVO is holding for young promising divas and divos. Audiences will be entertained with highlights from favorite operas by Verdi, Puccini, Mozart and others.

“Don Giovanni,” based on the character Don Juan, dramatizes the most notorious womanizer in all literature. Many critics and music historians consider the Mozart opera to be the most perfect wedding of music and drama in a fine balance of the comic and the tragic aspects of love.

“Mozart’s character, Don Giovanni, comes alive as a person one cannot help but love and hate simultaneously,” said Jim Blanton, DVO Artistic Director.

In contrast is Don Pasquale, who is overweight, overconfident and over-the-hill and fancies himself as a romantic prize to every beautiful young woman. While pursuing an imagined marriage, Pasquale is thwarted by family, friends and even his servants, who all conspire to teach him a lesson about the true nature of love.

“Divas on the Delaware,” the training program, will provide performance opportunities according to the ability of the participants while offering them classes in vocal technique and interpretation, drama, stage movement and choreography to help them along the way.

The training sessions will take place from July 7 to August 17.

“Giovanni” will be performed on August 3 at 3:00 p.m. at the Tusten Theatre in Narrowsburg, on August 10 at 3:00 p.m. at the Sellig Theatre at Sullivan County Community College in Loch Sheldrake and on August 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Ritz Theatre in Hawley, PA.

“Pasquale” will be performed on August 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the Seelig Theatre, on August 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Tusten Theatre and on August 17 at 3:00 p.m. at the Tusten Theatre.

For more information on the performances, call 845/252-3136. For information on the training, call Carolyn Steinberg at 845/252-9980.