Our final opera for this season was "The Marriage of Figaro" by WA Mozart. It is a classic comic opera in the Italian style, despite taking place in Spain and being composed by an Austrian! The performance, like all performances at Santa Fe Opera, was pretty much flawless. The singers were excellent and well cast. I was a little put off by the voice and physical appearance of Figaro, but I quickly warmed to his energy and commitment to the role. I was looking forward to the appearance of Dr. Bartolo, played by Maurizio Muraro who came on Tuesday to talk with our group. He was perfect!
The compelling aspect of the production was the set which consisted of a central structure which expanded and contracted to accommodate the libretto. It was constructed on the turntable which rotated as needed, and it was all framed by sprockets suggesting a watch works, symbolizing the time frame of the opera which is a single day. It proved to be very effective and added a great deal to the action.
It was only a little shorter that "Die Walkure", finishing up at 11:45. Another late night and a short sleep!
This morning, I went to early church at Church of the Holy Faith, just a short walk from the hotel. This was my second visit and, while is checked all the boxes, I made me appreciate Church of the Ascension all the more. The liturgy was in Rite I, and it took the most old fashioned language available in that rite. The celebrant by nature seems to be on the sanctimonious style, of which I am less and less tolerant . Nevertheless, I was able to get back to the hotel and grab some breakfast before our final session with Oliver.
I have to admire Oliver's skill set at engaging a diverse crowd in conversation while still imparting some significant music education and active engagement while also providing a bit of entertainment and humor. I came away liking him better this year than last. His final assignment for the groups was to write an aria for Dr. Bartolo that reflected his sudden assumption as father and husband. It was a fun exercise of no real consequence and a good way to end out time here.
Our schedule for today has been amended. We have lunch and the afternoon to ourselves, and the final dinner has been moved to 6:00 pm. I'm going to venture out again this afternoon and hope my knee will take me to the New Mexico Contemporary Art Museum on Palace Street.
I'll be leaving the hotel at 8:00 am, via Rob Rides and taking off at 10:45 for Denver and finally Chicago at 5:05 pm. Of course there is a time change involved, but it will still be a long day!
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