Opera Santa Barbara’s triumphant finale to their 2015 – 2016 Season was a two-punch knockout. Starting with more nuns than you could shake a censer at, and the heart-rending downfall of Sister Suor Angelica, transcendently sung by Maria Kanyova.
Opera Santa Barbara’s “Suor Angelica” 4/20/16 Granada Theatre
Opera Santa Barbara’s “Suor Angelica” 4/20/16 Granada Theatre
Soprano Maria Kanyova (Suor Angelica) & mezzo soprano Alissa Anderson (la Principessa) – Opera Santa Barbara 4/20/16 Granada Theatre
Soprano Maria Kanyova as “Suor Angelica” – Opera Santa Barbara 4/20/16 Granada Theatre
Opera Santa Barbara’s “Suor Angelica” 4/20/16 Granada Theatre
“Gianni Schicchi” lightened things up considerably after the intermission. It made for an emotional roller coaster, but there was wonderful singing and music, epic personal tragedy, and sophisticated farce with an underlying social message. Everyone was well sated by evening’s end, especially Buoso Donati, after he came to life again for the final bows.
Buoso Donati isn’t too concerned about the family’s mourning in Opera Santa Barbara’s Giannin Schicchi” 4/20/16 Granada Theatre
Buoso’s will disappoints. Opera Santa Barbara’s Giannin Schicchi” 4/20/16 Granada Theatre
Young lovers torn apart in Opera Santa Barbara’s Giannin Schicchi” 4/20/16 Granada Theatre
The big aria: Lauretta (Monica Yunus) pleads with father Giannin Schicchi (Stephano de Peppo) in Opera Santa Barbara’s Giannin Schicchi” 4/20/16 Granada Theatre
Gianni is acclaimed savior of the family fortune in Opera Santa Barbara’s Giannin Schicchi” 4/20/16 Granada Theatre
Gianni is flattered and cajoled in Opera Santa Barbara’s “Giannini Schicchi” 4/20/16 Granada Theatre
Out with the old and dead Buoso (Brooks Firestone) in Opera Santa Barbara’s “Giannini Schicchi” 4/20/16 Granada Theatre
In with the new Buoso who has his own ideas about the will. Opera Santa Barbara’s “Giannini Schicchi” 4/20/16 Granada Theatre
They’ve been outfoxed by a mere merchant from the “lower orders!” in Opera Santa Barbara’s Giannin Schicchi” 4/20/16 Granada Theatre
All’s well that ends well in Opera Santa Barbara’s Giannin Schicchi” 4/20/16 Granada Theatre
