559
(1 vote, average 5.00 out of 5)
Written by Harry Cherkinian, Contributing writer
Mar 11, 2010
The term “camerata” in the late 16th century referred to an informal group of writers, artists and musicians who met regularly to discuss trends in art.
Today Milwaukee has its own camerata. The Florentine Opera Camerata brings together men and women from the LGBT community to discuss and preview upcoming Florentine productions. On March 14, the group’s members – numbering 75 to 100 – will get an exclusive sneak preview of selections from the company’s upcoming production of “Elmer Gantry.”
“This is a good way for members to get a feel for the opera and see if this is the one they want to go to,” says Scott Stewart, Florentine’s chorus master and associate conductor. Stewart’s been with the Florentine for 32 years.
Based on the classic novel by Sinclair Lewis, the opera tells the story of a corrupt evangelical preacher’s rise and fall. The novel was turned into an Academy Award-winning 1960 movie starring Burt Lancaster and Shirley Jones (who won an Oscar for her performance).
“I love the text of this opera,” Stewart says. “It really tells a good story.”
The camerata formed in February 2007, the brainchild of Florentine’s general director William Florescu. For an annual $25 membership fee, members of the affinity group can attend events previewing upcoming operas. The events include complimentary hors d’oeuvre and a cash bar. Sponsoring bars and restaurants also provide members with special patron discounts.
“The receptions are like a meet-and-greet,” Stewart says. “(They) give the performers a chance to interact with the public when they’re not on stage.”
At the Camerata’s March 14 Sunday Artist Social, cast members Sarah Lewis Jones, Julia Elise Hardin, Aaron Blankfield and Scott Johnson will perform selections from the work.
Like many well-established arts organizations across the country, Florentine Opera has watched with concern as its audiences have grown older. The camerata provides an opportunity to recruit new and younger audiences, Stewart says. It’s attracting people in their early 30s, helping to turn them into opera fans.
“Elmer Gantry,” which is billed as a “new American opera,” speaks to a new generation of opera-goers. Unlike the classical operas that are usually sung in their native Italian, French and German, “Gantry” is written in English. Its storyline is quintessentially American and of particular interest to the LGBT community, whose civil rights struggle has long been embattled with the Christian right.
Written by Robert Aldridge and Herschel Garfein, “Gantry” debuted in 2007 at the Nashville Opera.
The Florentine’s production marks its second-ever full staging. A number of artists from the Nashville world premiere are slated to perform in Milwaukee, including: Keith Phares as Elmer Gantry; Patricia Risley as evangelist Sharon Falconer; and Hardin as Mrs. Baines.
John Hoomes, who last directed at the Florentine with 2008’s “Salome,” will oversee the production.
The Florentine Opera Camerata previews selections from its upcoming opera “Elmer Gantry” at 7 p.m., Sun., March 14, at The Room, 623 S. Second St., in Milwaukee.
“Elmer Gantry” performs Fri., March 19, and Sun., March 21, at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water St. For more information, call the Florentine Opera at 414-291-5700, ext. 224, or visit www.florentineopera.org.
