BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP MAY 12 – MAY 18, 2017 43 A VIEW FROM THE CLIFF BY CLIFF KASDEN It’s the opening performance at Regina Opera’s venue on Sixth Avenue o 59th Street. Yes, Mother Nature is unleashing her wrath outside but the warm, friendly atmosphere inside is unmistakable. The troupe’s o ering is a good-natured jab at life and love entitled “L’Elisir Di Amore” (“The Love Potion”). This two-act operatic comedy unfolds in the 1850s. In it, a local beauty is wooed by a pompous sergeant and a humble peasant. Along the way, a snake oil salesman targets human weaknesses with hilarious results. The cast, as always, is wonderfully talented with an unbeatable orchestra and outstanding creative team. Stunning Sarah Moulton Faux returns to the Brooklyn stage as Adina. Her fl awless soprano voice and wonderful stage presence are not to be missed. Likable Nemorino (Heejae Kim), her humble peasant suitor, receives shouts of approval and hearty applause for his vulnerable, comical Lighthearted comedy from Regina Opera and very melodic tenor’s delivery. Villager Giannetta (Melissa Serluco) and the charlatan’s assistant (Sarah Barringer) are very competent supporting players who are joined by many strong performers in the ensemble. Swaggering Sergeant Belcore (Peter Hakjoon Kim) is a villainous baritone who is just too amiable to dislike. The quack doctor “Dulcamara” (Geeseop Kim), boasts a smooth talking style and a delightful bass vocal range. His cloak is fi lled with dozens of bottles guaranteed to cure your every ill. His presence onstage refl ects a humorous world created by 19th century composer Gaetano Donizetti and prominent librettists. Conductor Gregory Ortega returns with the orchestra. The woodwinds stand out in this production, especially in the fi rst act. But the strings, brass and percussion are never to be outdone. The set is brightly colored and inviting. The costumes (Marcia C. Kresge) and make-up (Sam Themer, Milan A scene from “L’Elisir Di Amore.” Rakic) are o en deliberately farcical, including bright orange moustaches that are constantly falling from the soldiers’ upper lips. The stage direction and set design are once again in the very competent hands of Linda Lehr. Producer Fran Garber-Cohen with her eagerly anticipated “money tree,” Linda Cantoni with vital supertitles, tech by Chris Photo courtesy of Regina Opera Kolwicz and assistant conductor Jon Nelson represent just a few of the many skilled and creative personnel that bring the troupe’s 47th year to successful fruition. For information on this and future productions, check www.ReginaOpera. org, call 718-259-2772 or “like” Regina Opera on Facebook. As always, save me a seat on the aisle.
BSR05182017
To see the actual publication please follow the link above