The beginnings of a great opera company?
“The Love Potion” marks two important firsts for the 7-year-old company: It’s Elgin Opera’s Hemmens Cultural Center debut and it’s also the first time the company performs a complete opera with a full orchestra.
New Millennium Orchestra music director Francesco Milioto previously conducted Elgin Opera’s productions of “La Traviata” and “Madama Butterfly,” but in drastically reduced orchestral arrangements he made for piano and string quartet. Elgin Opera’s previous venues like Larkin High School and various churches also didn’t have orchestra pits.
“This is definitely a step up for us all,” said Milioto, proud about the New Millenium’s 40 musicians that will accompany the Elgin performances. (Daily Herald 2/8/08)
Does the Hemmens really have an orchestra pit?
The Love Potion, that’s funny. I’d thought L’Elisir d’Amore was a pretty famous opera, if only for the aria Una Furtiva Lagrima, which in many Elgin households, I’m told, is sung in the shower every morning…
L’Elisir d’Amore runs this weekend at the Hemmens, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9 and 3 p.m. Feb. 10.
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The Hemmens does indeed have a pit, and much of this week has been about getting used to seeing Maestro’s head and hands down where they’re supposed to be!
Elisir is a pretty famous opera among those who know opera, but I think the hope is that the English title will pique the interest of those who don’t. Which doesn’t make those who do any less welcome. We look forward to faces of both varieties in the house tonight.
This chorus member thanks you for the mention!
Your welcome, Valerie.
I hope the show went well?
It did indeed, and we’re looking forward to more!