For the week of January 22 - 28, 2003

‘Butterfly and Beyond’ alights in Ketchum

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By ADAM TANOUS
Express Arts Editor

The cultural evolution of the Wood River Valley continues at an ever-increasing pace. It wasn’t that long ago that Ketchum and environs was a cowboy and mining center. Then came the resort and the mountain resort era. Now, it seems, we have entered into a time of arts and culture.

Perhaps no better evidence of that trend is the advent of world class opera being performed in the Wood River Valley. Who would have imagined, even 10 years ago, Puccini’s "One Fine Day" ringing through the lovely space of the Presbyterian Church of the Bigwood? Imagine no more, for Sun Valley Opera is presenting "Butterfly and Beyond" in the Ketchum church Saturday at 8 p.m. Following the show, the audience is invited to a reception at the church with the artists.

Anna Singer stars in “Butterfly and Beyond.” Courtesy photo

The production features songs from opera and Broadway, including the aria "E Lucevan le Stelle" from "Tosca," hits from "Showboat" and "Porgy and Bess," and "Memory" from Andrew Lord Weber’s "Cats."

The Board of Directors of Sun Valley Opera have lined up a dynamic cast of opera stars for "Broadway and Beyond." Anna Singer, who has performed with the New York City Opera, Virginia Opera and Fort Worth Opera, will sing soprano. In the past Singer has won critical acclaim for her performance in the title role of "Madame Butterfly," a part she will revise in an upcoming production by Opera Idaho.

Singing tenor is Kenneth Gayle. The Chicago Tribune referred to Gayle’s voice as a "nearly flawless instrument." Gayle is a Seattle native who recently moved to Chicago for his operatic debut with Chicago Lyric Opera.

Mezzo soprano Michelle Berger has performed in Austria, Switzerland and Spain and recently performed the part of "Carmen" in Billings, Mont.

Rounding out the cast is baritone Jim Preston, a veteran of both opera and musical theater.

Sandi Rabas will be the pianist for the production.

Sun Valley Opera vice president Frank Meyer said of the upcoming show, "Hearing the opera trained voice in a fairly intimate setting with no microphone allows the audience to get the true emotion of the singer and song."

Tickets for "Broadway and Beyond" are available at Chapter One Bookstore in Ketchum. General admission costs $25, reserved seating is $35 and student tickets are $22.

 

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