November 25, 2009, Featured Articles, Classical
"The Wise Women" cometh
The Civic Opera Theater of Kansas City is reprising Conrad Susa’s contemporary holiday opera "The Wise Women." The opera tells the story of the Christ child’s birth and the travels of the Three Wise Men, but from the perspective of important women in their lives.
The Civic Opera Theater of Kansas City is reprising Conrad Susa's contemporary holiday opera The Wise Women next weekend.
The Civic Opera previously performed it for eight years running from 1995 through 2003 and often drew capacity crowds. The opera tells the story of the Christ child's birth and the travels of the Three Wise Men, but from the perspective of important women in their lives.
Conrad Susa (not to be confused with the 19th century March king John Phillip Sousa) is one of today's best known composers, and this opera is among his most popular compositions. The libretto is by Phillip Littell, whose also wrote the words from two later and very popular operas, Susa's Dangerous Liaisons and A Streetcar Named Desire by Andre Previn.
As the opera opens, the Three Wise Men, accompanied by their women, rest at an oasis. The men feel that they are traveling to find an adult king, while the women are certain that the monarch will be a baby. Impatient, the men abandon the women behind and journey on, but the women, remaining behind, are visited by a vision of the Holy Mother and her divine child.
The men, approaching Bethlehem, are addressed by a host of angels in the "Gloria,"
a beautiful choral passage telling of the angels' message. Shepherds spread the message of the baby's birth, and the Holy Family is transported to the oasis so that the Wise Women, despite being abandoned, can witness the miracle.
The Wise Men are confused by what has happened, but the Wise Women help them understand that the best gift for the King is not a material possession, but love, the kind that recognizes the divinity in every child.
The Civic Opera Theater has not performed The Wise Women for six years, but new producing artistic director, David Adams, felt that the work is an important part of the company's history and should be reintroduced to Kansas City audiences.
The Wise Women, Adams says, is "one of the works that made Civic Opera Theater of Kansas City a landmark arts institution. It is a piece that is fun for the whole family."
"For those of you who have seen this performed in the past," says Adams, "you may recognize some familiar faces. I guarantee that you will not only be thrilled by their return, but also by the sparkling new talent that will be featured. This piece is a treat not only to the ears and eyes, but truly speaks to the heart of the holiday season."
PREVIEW
Civic Opera Theater of Kansas City
The Wise Women by Conrad Susa
Friday, December 4 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 5 at 2:00 p.m. and at 7:30 p.m.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
40th and Main Streets, Kansas City, MO
For tickets call 816-235-1000 or visit www.kccivicopera.org for more information
Top Photo: Conrad Sousa
City Classics Music and Dance Columnist; Classical Contributor
A lifelong classical music fan, Don Dagenais is a frequent preview speaker for the Lyric Opera of Kansas City and has taught classical music and opera courses at several Kansas City venues. He has served on the boards of directors of a number of performing arts organizations including the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, the Lyric Opera Guild, UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance, Opera Volunteers International, the Civic Opera Theater of Kansas City, Inspiration Point Fine Arts Colony, Octarium, and the Friends of the Symphony. He has been the past president of most of these organizations and is current the president of the Friends of the Symphony.
Dagenais co-authored a history of the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, published on the occasion of its 50th anniversary (2007) and has written books on the histories of both the Lyric Opera Guild and Opera Volunteers International, as well as an introductory book for opera novices (Your Passport to the Opera). He has received several local and national awards for outstanding volunteer work for the arts, including a lifetime achievement award from The Coterie Theatre in 2000, the Kansas City Musical Club's annual award in 2001, a Partners in Excellence Award from Opera Volunteers International in 2002, a Bravo Award from Opera Volunteers International in 2004 and a community service award from the Daughter of the American Revolution in 2008 honoring him for his community service to the arts.
In addition to his music interests, Don is president of the board of directors for the Metropolitan Ensemble Theater and has served on the boards of The Coterie Theatre and the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, serving as president of each organization. He publishes newsletters for seven arts organizations. When not involved in the performing arts, Don is a senior real estate attorney with Lathrop & Gage LLP in Kansas City, Missouri, where he has practiced law since 1976 after graduating from the Cornell Law School.
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KC Events this week and beyond
Looking for something to do this weekend? Click here for the KC Events calendar of theatre, classical music, dance and jazz events through 2011. Highlights of this week's classical music and dance offerings are in Don Dagenais' "City Classics." For current Theatre listings visit Victor Wishna's "City Stage." Enjoy!
KC Events this week and beyond
LOTS of theatre featured this week: “Christmas in Song,” “A Taffeta Christmas,” “A Christmas Story. The Musical!,” “Little House on the Prairie,” “The Time of Your Life.” Music offerings included student recitals at UMKC and that grandfather of all Holidays programs – Handel’s “Messiah” with the Kansas City Symphony and Chorus and the Independence Messiah Chorus at Community of Christ Temple. Check it out and the many upcoming concerts over the next few weeks.
Giving thanks for small blessings
In the Coterie Theatre's new production of "Little House on the Prairie," big questions are asked.
My heart finds Christmas
"This show is about light," says director J. Kent Barnhart. "And about Christmas, about all of the different meanings it has for each one of us."
Christmas is "On the Air" at AHT
Christmas lights and garland decorate the American Heartland Theatre lobby, leaving no doubt of the impending Holidays despite the warm November evening.
"Revanche" is a slow-paced drama worth the patience
Revenge is a dish best served cold. While the merits of that proverb have been debated ad nauseam, there is nothing cold about the devastatingly tragic tale depicted with raw emotion and brutal honesty in the 2008-released Austrian film, "Revanche."
Taffeta for the Holidays
The Chestnut Fine Arts Center is presenting "A Taffeta Christmas." a musical revue that features Christmas songs and golden oldies.
Flog the dog
The 1997 Barry Levinson film "Wag the Dog" took the idea that politics is 1% decision-making and 99% show biz, and turned it into a satire of Shavian, if not Shakespearean, proportions. In Beau Willimon's savage comedy "Farragut North," the spin-doctor gets spun--it is a case of the dog getting flogged.