Star Trek Parody of Mozart Opera is Out of This World!

Venue: Valley Center for the Performing Arts, Holy Names University
Dates:
Fri August 5, 2016 8:00pm
Sat August 6, 2016 8:00pm
Mon August 8, 2016 8:00pm
Tue August 9, 2016 2:00pm

Price Range: $40-$85
Tickets: 510.444.0802 http://festivalopera.org/tickets.php

Festival Opera celebrates its 25th anniversary in the same year that the Star Trek franchise celebrates the 50th anniversary of its "five-year mission: to boldly go where no man has gone before."

In 1991, a new opera company took flight in Walnut Creek with an ambitious first production, Mozart's "Abduction From the Seraglio." Now it's 25 years later, and to celebrate we're returning to our roots and reaching for the stars. It's still Mozart all right, but with a slightly revised libretto — in English — by stage director Josh Shaw, and you won't want to miss any of the fun.

Follow the adventures of 'Captain' James T. Belmonte as he sets off on a mission to rescue his kidnapped crew members, 'Lieutenant' Constanza and 'Mister' Pedrillo, from an all-too-familiar set of villains. Please don't tell anyone, but rumor has it that there may even be a Gorn lurking in the wings.

For all the futuristic fun, this is still classic opera, and Festival Opera has assembled a troupe that rises to the occasion. Musically, Maestro Michael Morgan will conduct the Oakland Symphony Orchestra, supported by the Festival Opera Chorus, directed by Lynne Morrow. The ensemble of vocal artists features tenor Brian Cheney as Belmonte, soprano Shawnette Sulker as Constanza, tenor Robert Norman as Pedrillo, and soprano Sara Duchovnay as Blondie. Bass Kevin Thompson is Osmin, the grumpy overseer of the seraglio.

A special Opening Night Dinner will be held just steps from the theater. Cost for the dinner party is $100 per person; tickets for the performance are additional, and must be purchased separately through the Oakland Symphony box office. Menu includes choice of chicken, fish or a vegetarian entrée. Wines are included for those 21 and up. Diners may also join Festival Opera Sostenuto Society members for complimentary intermission refreshments (included in dinner ticket). Our special guest at the dinner will be Abduction From the Seraglio stage director Josh Shaw.