Lastly, I like Shakespeare’s play, and I like Gounod’s opera; I usually discover that the Bard’s iambic pentameter creates its personal music. Shakespeare Opera Theatre’s mixture of scenes from each the play and opera labored properly in telling the lover’s tragic story and offering moments from each to take pleasure in; it was charming, enjoyable, and extremely entertaining. However as a grandfather talking, because the Prince of Verona is unavailable, let’s not permit the creative fantastic thing about a tragic love story trigger us to miss, ultimately, that it is a story of woe and that the reason for the premature deaths of a cherished daughter and a cherished son, two innocents, was enmity and feuding.
The Fan Expertise: Performances of Romeo & Juliet have been scheduled by Shakespeare Opera Theatre in St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Mclean for July 11, 12, 13, and 14, and in Grace Episcopal Church in The Plains on July 18, 19, and 20. The efficiency with one intermission lasted about 2 hours and 45 minutes. Some roles featured completely different singers in numerous venues.
Shakespeare Opera Theatre’s 2025-2026 season has been introduced, although dates for the opera performances are but to be firmly set. Along with the opera/theater productions of Hansel & Gretel, Tartuffe, and Susannah, two live shows will likely be supplied (“Oktoberfest” on October 12, 2025 and “Viva Las Vegas” on February 14 (Valentines Day), 2026.
The was my first go to to The Plains to attend an SOT efficiency. The Plains venue is analogous in dimension although not the identical because the Mclean venue. It has a fantastically formed wood ceiling. I believed that the dialog from the stage didn’t carry fairly as far for this venue, however that stated, the ensemble choral performances have been doubtless given extra texture by the partitions and ceiling there. The Grace Episcopal Church is a stupendous construction which has historic stained-glass home windows that may be seen as alternative permits.
The Plains venue had the identical celebration ambiance one finds within the Mclean location. I’ve discovered little pretense with SOT; they readily personal their limitations and nonetheless handle to have interaction us totally. Gown is “as you prefer it” and seating is at tables. Snacks and drinks are supplied on the market which could be consumed earlier than, throughout, or after performances. Attendance by youngsters is welcomed. Performers and workers are usually obtainable for questions, image taking, and mingling after performances.
This report, as is common, has benefited immensely from my spouse Debra serving as copy editor. My spouse writes a journey weblog known as fiammatravels.com for which I function the copy editor.
