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Live opera will come to the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center for the first time on Sunday, November 12, when Southold Opera presents “La Bohème,” performed by Long Island Opera.
Italian composer Giacomo Puccini penned “La Bohème,” a love story between a poet and seamstress living in poverty in Paris, in 1895.
Anne-Julia Audray, the president and executive director of Long Island Opera Company and the owner and artistic director of the Southold Opera House, recently took a few questions about “La Bohème” and the groups behind this performance, in advance of the inaugural opera at WHBPAC.
27east: How did Southold Opera come into being, and what is its mission?
Two years ago, Anne-Julia Audray and her husband, Olivier Chazareix, transformed an abandoned church into a beautifully renovated performance venue. But a pretty stage was not enough for the quality of performance we wanted to present to you. After years of ongoing construction, we built improvements on our stages, studios for music lessons, studios for classical study of ballroom dance, and a reformed parsonage for our artists-in-residence, all while taking great care to keep the church’s original charm intact.
As a result of our alterations, we have become the cultural hub for Long Island’s East End and surrounding areas. Friends and families have come here to celebrate the performing arts. So far, we have produced 13 shows, all of which were lauded by our local audiences.
Southold Opera has served not only as an organization to present opera to the public outside of major cosmopolitan cities, but also help develop younger opera singers into the stars of tomorrow. We put together collaborations between the most well-known authorities in the field and our young artists. We provide coachings, lessons, master classes, studies in movement and vocal mechanics, and much more to help these budding professionals hone their skills as performance artists. Everything they learn here, they will take with them on the international stage.
Southold Opera also provides educational programs to the community. Every level and age of student is welcomed to find their own voice in the nurturing environment we provide. We strive to bring you year-round musical excellence.
Whether you are an opera lover or brand new to opera, we invite you to come explore what Southold Opera has to offer. We guarantee you will be transported into another world.
27east: Who are the Long Island Opera Company?
The Long Island Opera is Long Island’s oldest opera company in existence. The opera company, known today as Long Island Opera, began as a 1958 adult education course by a leading tenor of New York City Opera, Nino Luciano. Maestro Luciano, a resident of Long Island, had sung many leading tenor roles both at City Opera and abroad. Maestro Luciano presented opera performances which developed into an opera workshop with staged productions in costume.
Soon after, in 1961, Long Island Opera became incorporated as a 501(c)(3), and began performing operas such as “Madame Butterfly,” “La Traviata,” and “I Pagliacci” at various locales in Nassau County. Following Luciano’s leadership, Bernard Hart, another singer from New York City Opera became artistic director. Hart led Long Island Opera for 27 years, and it thrived under his direction.
By 1985 the Long Island Opera owned the props, sets, costumes, backdrops, and scores for 26 operas and operettas in its repertory. Since Hart’s successful management, Long Island Opera has had great success as an opera company under the direction of several talented directors: Susan Hart Rosselli, Charles Bezinover, Jon Morrel, Webster Young and Joy Berta.
In April 2014, Anne-Julia Audray became executive director, committing her talents, skills, and passion for opera to revive Long Island Opera after a period of inactivity. Ms. Audray believes the arts are a key role in building and strengthening a community, and knows how invaluable it is for the future of Long Island to experience the gift of opera. As an artist, she welcomes the challenging lead role as Long Island Opera executive director, and promises the community, “You will see some of the best performances you have ever experienced.” With the help of gifted conductors and her artistic team, she is confident in making this promise a reality to the community of Long Island.
27east: La Bohème is one of the most frequently performed operas. Why is it so popular?
“La Bohème” is so popular because of its combination of music, drama, and romance. These elements work hand in hand to make the audience feel like they are living the drama that is unfolding before them. The melodies are accessible. The characters are all relatable even so many years after it was first performed. Puccini even adds a few touches of humor that make us love all the different personalities that come to life in the middle of this tragedy. You find yourself rooting for their relationships to work out even when you know they can never be. Puccini also knew how to write for the voice and what would work on the stage. It is no wonder that it is performed everywhere and the inspiration for other shows, such as the popular Broadway musical “Rent.”
27east: What should people who have never seen an opera live before know?
Most people do not know that the singers of opera sing without any type of microphone or amplification. Their voices will surround you and make your body shake. The music is incredible and the sets are beautiful. Opera is the grandest of all live performing arts. It combines all the visual and performing arts into one big production.
27east: How does it feel to bring live opera to the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center for the first time?
It is such an honor for us to be at the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center. We cannot wait to bring our talented artists to your audience and hope it will be the first of many more performances to come.
“La Bohème” will be staged at the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center on Sunday, November 12, at 3 p.m. Tickets are $28 and $38. Call 631-288-1500 or visit whbpac.org.
on Nov 10, 2017