"The Medium" - Short Concert Opera

The Secret Opera, an innovative new opera company in New York City and New Jersey, will present Menotti’s The Medium on November 8th at Community Congregational Church in Short Hills. Described by New York Classical Review as “one of the small, imaginative opera companies rapidly proliferating in New York City,” The Secret Opera is dedicated to socially and politically relevant readings of new and classical vocal works.

Gian Carlo Menotti’s The Medium details the story of Madame Flora, a scheming con woman who capitalizes on the grief of parents who have lost their children. However, during one of their weekly séances, she begins to fear that her pretend communications with the dead have aroused a malevolent spirit. Her descent into madness begins to affect everyone around her, including her daughter, Monica, and the innocent boy, Toby, who lives with them.

Milica Nikcevic, who plays the leading role of Madame Flora, says, “I love diving into a score to determine how the music creates the atmosphere and colors the characters. Menotti leaves many of the details up to the artist. He gives bit of information about how the characters know one another, but Baba’s background is left to interpretation.”

The Secret Opera will reinterpret this classic 20th century one-act opera with a focus on mental illness, gun control, race, and more, through an intimate and emotionally charged performance.

Annie Lutz, the director of the production, says, “The Medium is a thrillingly haunted story, and the fact that is opening Halloween weekend is no accident. But it is also full of socially relevant themes that are begging to be examined. So while you’ll definitely have a good old fashioned thrill, I hope you’ll also leave asking questions about the world around you and what we can do to change it.”

This production of The Medium stars Chelsea Feltman, soprano and co-founder of The Secret Opera, as Monica, with mezzo-soprano Milica Nikcevic as Madame Flora. 15-year-old Kellan Cupid plays the part of Toby. Elise Brancheau sings Mrs. Gobineau, while Matthew Walsh sings the part of her husband, Mr. Gobineau. Melissa Serluco sings Mrs. Nolan.

The November 8th performance will be at Community Congregational Church located at 200 Hartshorn Drive in Short Hills, New Jersey. More information about tickets and reservations is available at http://www.thesecretopera.com.

Contact
To learn more about The Secret Opera and its upcoming concert, please contact
Alexis Rodda
451 W 44th Street #1 New York, NY 10036
201-790-3055
thesecretopera@gmail.com
Website: http://www.thesecretopera.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thesecretopera
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/thesecretopera

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The Secret Opera is an innovative and vibrant company committed to new politically and socially relevant readings of classic vocal works. Providing opportunities to emerging singers, conductors, directors, dancers, orchestra musicians, designers, and visual artists, The Secret Opera encourages multidisciplinary performances that unite artistic excellence with musical and literary analysis of traditional and contemporary compositions.