Performing for only the second time after being founded early this year, Center Stage Opera delivered a beautiful and classic selection of operatic pieces during its August 20 performance at the Madrid Theatre in Canoga Park. As the new opera group continues to gain visibility, the organization's leadership is working to secure a permanent home in the north valley.
Under the masterful direction of Brian Onderdonk, the production featured the elegantly dressed and extremely talented Center Stage Opera Orchestra accompanying various singers through more than ten pieces.
The show opened with baritone Abdiel Gonzalez giving an amusing performance of "Largo al factotum" from Gioacchino Rossini's "Il barbiere di Siviglia". Gonzalez displayed great skill; his rich, deep, clear voice nicely matched the charming rhythms, and the amusing faces he made along with his gesticulation added a comic quality to the piece. Gonzalez was then joined on stage by the graceful Amber Erwin and performed the lovely "Pronto io son" from the same work.
The orchestra then flawlessly performed Franz Schubert's "Symphony No. 5," whose tones ranged from soft and peaceful to powerful and fiery.
After a brief intermission, the orchestra performed the beautiful, enrapturing "Prelude, Act I" from Giuseppe Verdi's "La Traviata". Center Stage Opera's General Directors Shira Renee Thomas and Dylan F. Thomas then delivered "E strano . . . sempre libera" from the same work. Dylan's voice enchantingly drifted in from offstage, and Shira stole the show with her stunning, rich, powerful voice.
Dylan then gave a strong and emotional rendition of "Che gelida manina" from Giacomo Puccini's "La Boheme".
The orchestra delivered a peaceful and pleasant "March of the Priests" from Mozart's "Die Zauberflote." Zachary Gordin then joined the orchestra on stage to execute an uplifting and intense version of "Der vogelfanger".
Shira reappeared on stage with mezzo soprano Cynthia Nitrini to perform a lovely version of "Belle nuit,nuit d'amour" from Jacques Offenbach's "Les contes d'Hoffman." The two women's voices nicely complimented each other, and Shira's sparkling, champagne-colored gown and Nitrini's exquisite white dress beautifully reflected the stage lamps, adding a light and magical quality to the performance.
Erwin reemerged to give a classy and deep rendition of "Seguidilla" from Georges Bizet's "Carmen," despite a distracting cellular phone ringing from the left side of the theater.
The show concluded with a wonderful ensemble number, "Chi mi frena in tal momento" from Gaetano Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor", performed by Shira, Franz Stary, Gordin, Gil Lipaz, Michael Foreman, and Nitrini. This piece was intended as a preview of the opera's performance of "Lucia" October 15, 16, 22, and 23 at Temple Ahavat Shalom in Northridge.
Though the pieces may have been difficult to understand for newcomers to opera, as there was no introduction to the songs or explanations as to their meanings in the program, all can appreciate the stunning voices of the singers and the great skill of the orchestra.