Emerald City Opera Presentation

Day and Time: Sunday Aug. 22, 3:00 pm
Where: Perry Mansfield Julie Harris Theater

About the Event: The Opera Artist Institute each year holds auditions to select about 20 aspiring professional singers for an intensive in-residence series of master classes, professional coaching, and performances.  They also have the opportunity to perform in a full-length Emerald City Opera production working with world-class professional artists from the NY Metropolitan and other major opera companies.

About the Preformance: Suor Angelica Synopsis:
This one-act opera opens with scenes showing typical aspects of life in the convent — all the sisters sing hymns, the Monitor scolds two lay-sisters, everyone gathers for recreation in the courtyard. The sisters rejoice because, as the Mistress of Novices explains, this is the first of three evenings that occur each year when the setting sun strikes the fountain to turn its water golden. This event causes the sisters to remember a sister who has died, Bianca Rosa. Sister Genevieve suggests they pour some of the golden water onto her tomb.

The Princess explains that Angelica's sister is to be married and that Angelica must sign a document renouncing her claim to her inheritance. Angelica replies that she has repented for her sin, but there is one thing she cannot offer in sacrifice to the Virgin — she cannot forget the memory of her illegitimate son who was taken from her seven years ago. The Princess refuses to speak, but finally informs Sister Angelica that her son died of fever two years ago. Sister Angelica, devastated, signs the document and collapses in tears. The Princess leaves.

Sister Angelica is seized by a heavenly vision — she believes she hears her son calling for her to meet him in paradise. She makes herself a poison and drinks it, but realizes that in committing suicide, she has committed a mortal sin and has damned herself to eternal separation from her son. She begs the Virgin Mary for mercy and, as she dies, she sees a miracle: the Virgin Mary appears, along with Sister Angelica's son, who runs to embrace her.The event will also feature highlights from Puccini's very popular opera La Boheme.

Admission: $20 Tickets can be purchased at www.Emeraldcityopera.com