Portland Opera And OMSI To Expand “Opera On Screen” Film Series

AidaPortland Opera and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) will expand their collaborative “Opera on Screen” film series this fall. “Opera on Screen” began in September 2014 with high-definition screenings of four San Francisco Opera productions.

The 2015 series will include four new San Francisco Opera titles—Verdi’s Aida, the Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, Donizetti’s Lucrezia Borgia, and Mussorgsky’s Boris Godunov—as well as two bonus screenings—a Halloween weekend duo of The Phantom of the Opera with Lon Chaney and Brian De Palma’s cult classic, Phantom of the Paradise, a contemporary adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera.

“Opera on Screen” takes place at OMSI’s Empirical Theater, which features a four-story tall screen and a Dolby Atmos sound system, making it the most technologically advanced venue in the state. Each screening will be preceded by a special introduction given by a Portland Opera staff member.

Subscriptions to the four-opera series and choice of one bonus screening are now on sale through OMSI’s Events office, which may be reached by email at [email protected] or phone at 503-863-5611. Tickets for individual screenings are on sale via the OMSI website: www.omsi.edu. Portland Opera subscribers and OMSI members receive significant discounts on Opera on Screen subscriptions and single tickets.

The schedule of San Francisco Opera production screenings is:

Friday, October 2, 7pm, Aida
Sunday, October 4, 4pm, Porgy and Bess
Friday, October 16, 7pm, Lucrezia Borgia
Sunday, October 18, 4pm, Boris Godunov
Sunday, November 8, 4pm, Porgy and Bess
Sunday, November 15, 4pm, Aida

Ticket prices are:

Individual Opera Screening
General Public
Adult (14-63) $14, Youth (3-13) $8, Senior (64+) $12

OMSI Member/Opera Subscriber
Adult (14-63) $12, Youth (3-13) $6, Senior (64+) $10

Subscription (4 Operas)
General Public
Adult (14-63) $45, Youth (3-13) $26, Senior (64+) $39

OMSI Member/Opera Subscriber
Adult (14-63) $38, Youth (3-13) $19, Senior (64+) $32

The schedule and pricing for the bonus screenings is:

Phantom of the Paradise
Friday, October 30 at 8pm.
Tickets are $7 for adults and $6 for youth and seniors.

The Phantom of the Opera
Sunday, November 1 at 4pm.
All tickets are $5.

About the Films

Aida is the tale of a bitter love triangle centered on Radames, a captain of the Egyptian guard. He is in love with Aida, a slave girl with a secret—she is actually an Ethiopian princess and the daughter of Egypt’s most powerful enemy. Competing with Aida for his affection is Amneris, the Egyptian king’s daughter. Verdi’s score ranges from the epic “Triumphal March” to intimate scenes of haunting lyric beauty. The production stars Micaela Carosi in the title role and is sung in Italian with English subtitles.

Boris Godunov is Mussorgsky’s masterpiece about a Russian czar who is haunted by the political assassination through which he came to rule. As his enemies gather strength and his world crumbles around him, Boris desperately tries to cling to his throne and to his sanity. The title role is the most challenging and rewarding bass role in the repertory; here it features celebrated American basso Samuel Ramey. The opera is sung in Russian with English subtitles.

Porgy and Bess is the Gershwins’ miraculously melded work of classical music, popular song, jazz, blues and spirituals. This quintessentially American masterpiece tells the poignant story of a crippled beggar, the headstrong woman he loves, and the community that sustains them. Eric Owens and Laquita Mitchell star in the title roles. Porgy and Bess is sung in English with English subtitles.

Lucrezia Borgia is Donizetti’s tale of the femme fatale renowned for her ruthless pursuit of power who reveals an emotional vulnerability when she comes face to face with her long-lost son. The production features Renée Fleming in the title role and fast-rising young tenor Michael Fabiano as Gennaro, her son. The opera is sung in Italian with English subtitles.

The Phantom of the Opera is universally recognized as the quintessential horror film from the silent movie era, thanks in large part to Lon Chaney’s phenomenal performance (and self-designed make-up) in the title role. A horribly disfigured composer takes up residence in the labyrinthine Paris Opera House, where he falls in love with the understudy for the role of Marguerite in Faust. His machinations make her a star but she rejects his affection, so he kidnaps her and attempts a desperate escape.

Phantom of the Paradise is Brian De Palma’s homage to The Phantom of the Opera, with added elements of the Faust legend, Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” and 1970s glam-rock. An unscrupulous record producer steals a meek composer’s Faust rock opera. The composer tries to stop its release, but is horribly disfigured in a record pressing plant accident. He takes up residence in the producer’s new concert hall and starts to extract a spectacular revenge against the producer and his accomplices. The Rotten Tomatoes “Tomatometer” rating is 95% Fresh! The film is rated PG (parental guidance; some material may not be suitable for children).

 

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