I went to an double feature tonight. The first of which was Suor Angelica by Giacomo Puccini. The story is about a nun who was sent to the convent as punishment for having a child out of wedlock. All is well at the convent but there seems to always be a dark theme of death for the mood. They are having a celebration. That night, a elegant carriage drives up to the convent. Sister Angelica's aunt, who is a princess, asks her to sign a paper signing over her dowry and all inheritances to her sister who is getting married. Because she hasn't seen any family for seven years she asks about her son. Her Aunt informs her that her has been dead for two years.
I thought that this was a defining moment of the opera. The lady playing the part, Rachel Willis-Sorensen, gave an amazing emotional performance. Five Stars. The second defining moment happens when she is praying the the Mother Mary because after trying to kill herself with poison and realizing that suicide damns you. She has a vision where the Mother Mary blesses her and her little boy, dressed in white, joins her.
*I also enjoyed the BYUesqueness of the opera. The lady who acted The Monitor, or leader of the nuns, was pregnant. The "bible" she was holding was actually a book of LDS Hymns, and the little boy was wearing baptism clothing. Awesome
The performance does not receive five stars only because the scenery and ambiance was lacking. However Sorensen does get best Actress.
1 comments:
Wish I could have gone with you! I love cultural stuff like that, plus the hymn book and baptismal clothing, so funny!
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