Fri. September 13, 2024 7:30 PM
Sat. September 14, 2024 7:30 PM
Sun. September 15, 2024 7:30 PM
OUTDOORS at the Albuquerque Museum Amphitheater
Music / Carlo Coccia
Libretto / Giuseppe Foppa
Love, Laughter, Mix-ups
Prepare to be captivated under the stars at the Albuquerque Museum Amphitheater as Opera Southwest presents the American premiere of Matilde. Artistic Director and Conductor Anthony Barrese has unearthed this forgotten one-act opera, last performed in the early 1800’s. Experience the delightful mix of comedy and romance as you are drawn into the passionate love story of Federico and Matilde. Be enthralled as their romance encounters dramatic challenges, and mistaken identities, culminating in a heartwarming finale in a relaxed, outdoor setting. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to witness the resurrection of a lost opera performed for the very first time for modern audiences.
Tickets $39, $15 for students.
TAPAS ON THE TERRACE
For an additional charge, enjoy food and drinks before the event on the beautiful outdoor terrace overlooking the Amphitheater. Artistic Director Anthony Barrese will give a brief talk.
Doors for the pre-show event will open at 6:00 pm. Tapas will be served at 6:30 PM. The artist’s talk will be at 6:45 PM for Tapas on the Terrace guests.
Catering is provided by Slate at the museum.
All tickets are general admission; your email confirmation is your ticket, and no physical tickets will be issued. There will be several rows reserved for Tapas on the Terrace guests.
During the pandemic, with all our usual activities on hold, and curious to learn more about the historical context that launched Rossini’s career, I found myself diving deep into the history of the Teatro San Moise where his first five operas premiered. What was the repertoire they once produced? To my surprise, I discovered hundreds of pieces by composers I had never even heard of.
Among these was Pietro Generali’s “Pamela nubile,” inspired by the Samuel Richardson novel “Pamela.” I’d read “Pamela” but never heard of Generali before, but it turns out he was quite prominent in his time. Initially excited, I began transcribing the music, but soon found it somewhat underwhelming. Discovering an existing recording, I questioned the value of continuing my work on this piece.
Then I stumbled upon Carlo Coccia’s “Carlotta e Werther,” based on Goethe’s novel. Yes, that’s right—one of the earliest operatic adaptations of this famous story, better known in Massenet’s famous version, but with a twist: it has a happy ending and spans two acts. Curious, I decided to focus on the first act. To my delight, the music was beautiful—melodic, rhythmically engaging, and reminiscent of Rossini in its vibrancy.
My exploration didn’t stop there. I found another Coccia piece titled “Love or Duty,” also known as “A Fatal Supposition” or “Matilde”—coincidentally, my grandmother’s name. This opera, perfect for our apprentice program, features a one-act structure without a chorus, requires only a few singers, and needs just one set, accompanied by a delightfully silly plot.
Not only was the music more captivating than that in “Carlotta e Werther,” but it also enjoyed popularity in at least five cities outside Venice – Macerata, Naples, Padua, Rome, and Milan. Unusual, because these were practically in five different countries at the time. The opera consequently has a rich textual history, with different versions of tenor arias found in various manuscripts.
Which aria is better? Attend multiple performances, and you might just find out!
-Anthony Barrese
CAST
Dolibano / Wil Kellerman
Matilde / Alexandra Wiebe
Federico / Eric Botto
Fiammetta / Kim Stanish
Pantarotto / Joshua Hughes
CREATIVE TEAM
Conductor / Anthony Barrese
Director / Martha Collins
Costumes / Kaylee Silcocks
Wigs & Makeup / Jacqueline Chavez
Running Time:80 Minutes
-English translations are provided via LiveNote software directly to your smartphone or other device-
