ART JOURNEY: Spring-Summer 2016 Season Opera in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia

ART JOURNEY: Spring 2016 Season Opera in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia

By Jorge Jefferds March 28, 2016

April is the right time to consider buying tickets for the opera in two of the most important theaters in Pennsylvania. The Pittsburgh Opera (located at 2425 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222) presents three outstanding performances you can’t miss this year: 

The Barber of Seville by Gioachino Rossini will take place soon, on the following dates: April 2, 5, 8, and 10, 2016. Rossini’s madcap comedy is guaranteed to send you out laughing and humming a tune. Count Almaviva is in love with the beautiful Rosina. Rosina is essentially being held captive by the slimy Bartolo, who wants to marry her himself. With the help of the barber Figaro, Almaviva and Rosina attempt to outwit Bartolo and live happily ever after. The Barber of Seville is the perfect introductory opera. It features recognizable music, comedic staging, fun costumes and a happy ending. You will love the amazing ensemble cast – which includes two former Resident Artists with tremendous personalities, Kevin Glavin and Jonathan Beyer – and the Pittsburgh debut of Michele Angelini, who has received superlative reviews around the world in his role. Antony Walker conducts. This performance is sung in the original Italian language with projected English titles, and presented at the Benedum Center.

The Rake's Progress by Igor Stravinsky (April 30; May 3, 6, and 8, 2016) is about Tom Rakewell's journey from fortunate heir, to gambler, to inmate at Bedlam. This is a Pittsburgh premiere and a cautionary tale you'll remember with amazement. It seems to be a simple fable, but the combination of Stravinsky's electrifying score, Chester Kallman and W.H. Auden's libretto, David Hockney's sets and costumes, and a superlative cast promise a larger than life’s experience for you in this production of The Rake’s Progress. Sung in the original English with projected English titles, this production is presented at the Benedum Center.

The Rake's Progress

Salome is a composition and libretto by Richard Strauss (November 5, 8, 11, and 13, 2016). Originally censored in Vienna, banned in London, and even protested in New York, Salome is now considered a classic. Salome helped reinforce Strauss’s reputation as “the greatest genius of the age”. Based on the play by the one-and-only Oscar Wilde, Salome recreates the biblical story of King Herod, his daughter Salome and John the Baptist - Jochanaan. The title role of Salome will be sung by Patricia Racette, who sang the role to critical acclaim last year, including the famous, seductive “Dance of the Seven Veils”. Robert Brubaker plays King Herod, and Michaele Martens is Herodias. Music Director Antony Walker conducts.

Salomé

Philadelphia proudly presents its own lyrical performances at the Opera Philadelphia House (located at 1420 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102).

The Elixir of Love (L’elisir d’amore), will take place on the following dates: April 29; May 1, 4, 6, and 8, 2016). Set in the 1940s Italian countryside in this charming production from The Santa Fe Opera, it is a delight for all lovers of 19th-century Italian bel canto. Poor, oil-soaked auto-mechanic Nemorino is in love with the wealthy Adina, but she only has eyes for the striking Sergeant Belcore. Enter pinstriped Dr. Dulcamara, a quack who woos Nemorino with a promise: drink the elixir and Adina will fall in love with Nemorino within a day. But, does this strange tincture really work?

The Elixir of Love

Macbeth (September 24, and 25, 2016, at the Prince Theater) is a production co-presented with FringeArts as part of the Curated 2016 Fringe Festival. This radical take on Verdi’s Macbeth is set in the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, amongst war and ruthless exploitation. With his ambitious wife, General Macbeth—a Congolese warlord—murders the king and unleashes brutal atrocities on the crumbling province. Seen through South African theater maker Brett Bailey’s signature post-colonial lens, a milieu of multinational corporations and corrupt regional governments fuel the ongoing conflict with their insatiable greed for the natural resources that swell their pockets.

Turandot (September 23, 25, 28, and 30, 2016; October 2). In ancient China, the beautiful Princess Turandot reigns with an iron fist and an ice-cold heart. To her wooers, she has issued a decree: he who can answer her riddles will win her hand—all others will face beheading. When a mysterious man passes her test, will she finally open her heart to love? Puccini’s final work is one of his grandest, featuring forbidden romance and gorgeous melodies, including the rousing anthem “Nessun Dorma.” This kaleidoscopic co-production, called “miraculous” by Opera News, features stunning sets, costumes, and choreography.

Turandot

There will be an opening night Gala for this opera. You will be able to celebrate the start of Opera Philadelphia's 42nd Season with a spectacular black-tie Opening Night Gala. Discover more and add this special event to your Turandot experience!

 

SHOPPING DESTINATION: March is for Trade Shows in Germany

SHOPPING DESTINATION: March is for Trade Shows in Germany

By Jorge Jefferds March 4, 2016

Germany has always been a country with a rich cultural diversity, and March is the time, when many important German metropolitan areas get dressed for spring and several important international trade shows.

Actually, there is a calendar portraying a list of continuous events all through the year, but here you have the ones that currently are taking place, if you travel to this part of Europe for the most part of March.

If your arrival occurs between today and no later than Saturday in Düsseldorf, you might be interested in starting your shopping in the BEAUTY INTERNATIONAL DÜSSELDORF 2016. This event displays the latest in cosmetics, wellness, and spa. At a glance, the exhibition ranges preparative, decorative cosmetics, cosmetic apparatuses, body care, pedicure products and apparatuses, nail design, manicure, wellness, perfumes, solar cosmetics, services, permanent make-up, color/style advice service, fittings, accessories, and spa. There will be around 1,400 exhibitors and brands. The event announcement, however, suggests that the trade fair is only open to visitors with credentials.  For information, please, call +49(0)211/4560 or 61, or visit www.beauty.de. 

Stands in Beauty Düsseldorf

The next possible stop could be in Berlin, where the ITB Show will take place. It is a moment to celebrate the world’s leading travel trade show. More than 180 countries will be present between March 9 and March 13, displaying and promoting millions of miles of tourism in the five continents. Visitors will be able to find everything they need to cross the city without missing a single piece of interesting spots. Everything they need to know about Berlin Highlights will be possible thanks to the MEIN BERLIN GUIDE. Extensive maps, written in two languages, free of charge, and even bonus cards are among the many features this guide offers. Visitors interested in getting the copy will have to go to the stand called with the same name. Robots, pirate ships, igloos, a replica of the new Museum of Modern Art in Liege, Belgium, and a stand featuring design elements of the Hamad International Airport presented by Qatar Airways, will be among the many attractions of the fair.

ITB Berlin 2015

Hamburg has its turn between March 11 and March 16. INTERNORGA is the leading international trade fair for the out-of-home market. Every year, it is the must-attend event for restaurateurs, caterers, planners, traders, hoteliers, bakers, and confectioners. The overview of topics includes bakery and confectionery supplies, shop fitting, IT, cash register systems and communications, equipment and fitting, kitchen equipment and systems, food and beverages from more than 1,300 exhibitors. INTERNORGA is the place for first-class contacts with around 100.000 established trade visitors from Germany, and abroad. If your passion is the beer, don’t this opportunity to visit the CRAFT BEER Arena-a uniqueness for unique beers. It is the ultimate location for hand-brewed beer, a meeting point for experts and interested beer sommeliers, buyers, and specialist dealers. There will be workshops, tasting sessions and podium discussions.

Craft Beer in Internorga 2015

Hanover goes for the digital world between March 14 and March 18 with CeBIT, the largest and most internationally represented digital business event. In the fair, there will be a Dronemasters Summit with a combination of exhibition, conference, flight shows, and racing. It will connect drone professionals from all background-manufacturers, solution providers and users, service companies, investors, creative minds, and forward thinkers. A sales force world tour will be another interesting attraction in the show. Welcome to the Age of the Costumer is what the slogan promotes. Discover how you can connect with your customers in a whole new way. Guest speakers from ABB, Commerzbank and Interplast will take you on a journey to get inspired how you can make your customers love you, get smarter and more predictive, no matter if you are a start-up or a global enterprise.

CeBIT 2015

Leipzig will become the center of the writing between March 17 and March 20 with its traditional Buchmesse. This month is in the city characterized by reading. The Leipzig book fair and the festival Leipzig read are the spring events of the book and media sectors. Authors, readers, and publishing companies meet to collect information, to engage in exchange and discover what is new. Look forward to diving deeply into the divers theme areas. Experience new trends; strike up conversations with authors, publishers and other book people from throughout Germany.  Are you or your kids into comics? Then, welcome yourself to the Manga-Comic-Con 2016. In Leipzig, it is the first meeting place for all comic book, manga, cosplay, Japan and gaming aficionados. The Leipzig Book Fair will provide you with your own exhibition hall where you can unleash your fantasy and imagination.

Everything is possible to be found in the Leipziger Messe

There are so many things to do in these trade shows. As a suggestion, make sure to visit the official pages for information about tickets and how to buy them in advance. You might be surprised about discounts, special hours, and incredible presentations.