PRESS RELEASE AND CALENDAR LISTING
Press Contact: Robert Boyd (510) 263.8060
boxoffice@islandcityopera.org
Island City Opera Performs “La Rondine”
By Giacomo Puccini
Calendar
Opening Night: Friday, March 8, 2019 at 7:30
Matinee: Sunday, March 10, 2019 at 2:00
Evening: Friday, March 15, 2019 at 7:30
Matinee: Sunday, March 17, 2019 at 2:00
Island City Opera proudly announces that it will present four performances of Giacomo Puccini’s “La Rondine” (the swallow), a comic operetta in three acts, March 8-17, 2019, at the Alameda Elks Lodge Ballroom, 2255 Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda, CA. The opera will be sung in the original Italian with English supertitles, fully staged and costumed, and will be performed with a complete orchestra led by music director Jonathan Khune, directed by Jane Hammett.
Background
Puccini was commissioned by the Carltheater in Vienna to compose a Viennese operetta in the style of Der Rosenkavalier. The planned premiere in Vienna was prevented by World War I and Italy’s alliance against Austria-Hungary; hence the premiere was held instead at the Opera de Monte-Carlo in 1917.
“La Rondine” is set in Paris and on the French Riviera. Rambaldo and his mistress Magda are entertaining their artistic, if jaded, friends when Prunier the poet declares that romantic love is back in fashion. Magda’s response is one of Puccini’s most beautiful – and difficult – arias, “Chi il bel sogno di Doretta”. Thus the scene is set for a love story in operetta form.
Prunier pursues his love (Lisette, Magda’s maid) and Magda falls in love with Ruggero, a student whom she meets at the party. The scene changes to Bullier’s, a restaurant alive with a crowd of artists, students, and young people. Mistaken identity, lush lyrical singing, and beautifully flowing music follow.
Performance Schedule
Friday Opening Night, March 8, 2019 at 7:30PM
Sunday Matinee, March 10, 2019 at 2:00PM
Friday Night, Friday, March 15, 2019 at 7:30PM
Sunday Matinee, March 17, 2019 at 2:00PM
Pre-Opera Lectures
You are invited to attend our free pre-performance lecture series with renowned music directors and critics, held one hour prior to curtain before each performance.
Venue
All performances will be held at the Alameda Elks Lodge Ballroom, 2255 Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda CA. This intimate setting seats up to 250 and offers warm acoustics and clear sight lines.
Calendar Listing
Who: Island City Opera
What: “La Rondine”, by Giacomo Puccini
Where: Alameda Elks Lodge Ballroom, 2255 Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda, CA
Why: Top quality performance of rarely performed opera masterpieces at an affordable price
Ticket Prices
- All Performances: Promotore Table Seats $60, General Admission $40 adult and $36 senior, Students 21 years and younger $10, Children 12 years and under always free.
Ticket Purchase: Online at www.islandcityopera.org or box office at (510) 263-8060. For special needs contact boxoffice@islandcityopera.org.
Special Seating:
- Promotore Table Seating and Café Seating are available at $60 for all ages, with wine and appetizers included. Please contact the box office for special arrangements.
- Family seating section on raised benches at the back of the house provides good sightlines and easy access to the exit.
Press Passes: Media contact: Robert Boyd (510) 263.8060, boxoffice@islandcityopera.org
