* Notes *
Opera Parallèle gave a splendid efficiency of two comedic one-act operas yesterday at SFJAZZ. Executed in a single go, the night started with David T. Little's Vinkensport, or The Finch Opera (pictured, {photograph} by Kristen Loken), which was adopted by Laura Karpman's Balls. It was spectacular how cohesively these works had been offered collectively, each visually and musically.
Director Brian Staufenbiel put us in a 70s telecast of those two very disparate sporting occasions, with Mark Hernandez as sports activities announcer Howard Cosell participating the viewers and even the conductor. There have been projections surrounding us, and the live-image seize was particularly efficient. As all the time, Maestra Nicole Paiement deftly held the orchestra and singers collectively. It was enjoyable to listen to her conduct a little bit of Verdi's Triumpal March from Aida in Balls, when Billie Jean King enters. At one level on this opera practically all of the musicians stopped enjoying their devices and clapped beats with their palms, they had been all very a lot synchronized, Paiement retains the whole lot very exact.
Vinkensport is about Flemish folks sport of Finch-Sitting, during which skilled finches attempt to sing essentially the most "susk-e-wiets" in an hour as attainable. On this opera there are six rivals, all of the finches have very amusing names. Soprano Jamie Chamberlin gave a really weak and human efficiency as Holy St. Francis's Coach, she's had rather a lot happening in her private life, whereas soprano Chelsea Hole's character of who trains Farinelli is definitely simply utilizing a tape recorder, since her hen is deceased. Hole's voice is crystalline and really lovely. Soprano Shawnette Sulker as Sir Elton John’s Coach drinks many martinis and could be very humorous, her bird-like voice appears very apropos. Tenor Nathan Granner is likewise entertaining as Han Sach’s Coach, his good mild sound could be very fairly. Wealthy-toned bass-baritone Chung-Wai Soong is extra somber as Prince Gabriel III of Belgium’s Coach, we study he inherited his position as coach from his father. Baritone Daniel Cilli as Atticus Finch’s Coach can also be critical, setting his hen free in the long run.
Balls (pictured, {photograph} by Kristen Loken) tells the story of "The Battle of the Sexes" tennis recreation between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs in 1973 with a surrealist bent, Susan B. Anthony is a personality, and at one level Billie Jean King dons a tricorn hat.
Most of the singers within the first opera had been additionally within the second, however Balls has the jazz singer Tiffany Austin as King's secretary, Marilyn. Austin has a stunning voice that stood out. Tenor Nathan Granner is once more very humorous as Bobby Riggs. Mezzo-soprano Nikola Printz was compelling as Billie Jean King, their sound is resonant and highly effective.
* Tattling *
The viewers was largely quiet, however as Billie Jean King sang concerning the stress of tennis, somebody dropped some plastic cups within the Left Terrace, Row TJ.