Opera lovers get new outlets

As it is becoming evident that Charleston has an increasing number of opera lovers, the Charleston County Public Library has arranged to simulcast eight operas from New York's Metropolitan Opera season, starting Dec. 15.

All simulcasts are free and open to the public.

It all started last summer when Sara Breibart, program director at the library, decided to test Charlestonians' interest in opera by showing various videos of operas at the library auditorium. "The result was so positive, with so many asking for more of this, that I felt the direct simulcast from the Metropolitan Opera might work at one of the movie theaters," says Breibart.

But when Breibart presented the idea to Tom Raines, deputy director of the library, he suggested that the simulcast be brought to the library itself, and he found the money for the proper equipment.

"This set my pulse racing as I thought of actually having such glorious music right here from the Met in New York to the Charleston Library," recalls Breibart.

Thus began five months of negotiating between Breibart and the Met and, finally, a contract was signed. "As far as we know, the Charleston County Public Library is the only public library known to offer this feature," says Breibart. "The simulcasts will make opera accessible to those who are unable to visit the Met, and also to those who have never seen an opera."

Kevin G. Crothers, media specialist and head of the library's department of media services, says that the library auditorium, which seats 200, has been upgraded to high-definition video with 7.1 Surround Sound. Also, the Met has installed a satellite dish and a remote-controlled (Internet) receiver for delivery of the performances. Crothers said the full upgrade cost the library around $20,000.

The following is a full roster of the operas to be shown in the Main Auditorium of the library, 68 Calhoun St. The operas last from two to five hours with intermissions.

For further information, call 805-6804.

--Dec. 15: "Romeo et Juliette," 1 p.m.

--Jan. 12: "Macbeth," 1:30 p.m.

--Jan. 19: "Hansel and Gretel" 1 p.m.

--Feb. 16: "Manon Lescaut," 1 p.m.

--March 15: "Peter Grimes," 1:30 p.m.

--March 22: "Tristan und Isolde" 12:30 p.m.

--April 5: "La Boheme" 1:30 p.m.

--April 26: "La Fille du Regiment" 1:30 p.m.

Also bringing culture to the area will be "Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD" to be simulcast to the Movies at Azalea Square in Summerville. It opens with Gounod's "Romeo et Juliette" starring Anna Netrebko and Roberto Alagna, conducted by Placido Domingo, just as the library series will feature. The only difference is that Humperdinck's "Hansel and Gretel," will be broadcast live Jan. 1, and the library will have a taped version Jan. 19, since it will be closed New Year's Day.

Tickets to the opera simulcasts at the Movies at Azalea Square are $22 for adults, $20 for senior citizens and $15 for children. Tickets may be purchased at the door.

'Messiah'

It wouldn't be Christmas without a first-class performance of "The Messiah," and the Charleston Symphony Orchestra is staging three performances of Handel's masterpiece to give more residents a chance enjoy it.

CSO Resident Conductor Scott Terrell will lead the orchestra, which will feature four guest soloists and the CSO Chamber Chorus. Soloists will be soprano Margaret Kelly Cook, countertenor Ricard Bordas, tenor Jeffrey Picon and baritone Ryan Taylor.

George Frederic Handel's oratorio, "The Messiah," was composed in 1741 and premiered in Dublin, Ireland, in 1742. Handel's most famous composition, it is one of the most popular works in Western choral literature and is associated with the seasons of Advent and Christmas around the world.

Cook has performed in diverse operatic roles throughout Europe and North America, including soloing with the City of London Choir and the Musica Dilecta of Barcelona. Bordas has soloed in 14 countries in both concert and opera. Cook and Bordas, who are married, live in Mount Pleasant.

Picon has performed with the New York City Opera , San Francisco Opera and many others.

Taylor lives in Pittsfield, Mass., and Atlanta, where he serves as general director of the Southeastern Festival of Song. He is general director of the Berkshire Opera.

Performances of "The Messiah" are at 8 p.m. Thursday at The Citadel's Summerall Chapel; 8 p.m. Friday at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 2545 Bohicket Road, Johns Island; and 3 p.m. Dec. 9 at St. Theresa the Little Flower Catholic Church, 11001 Dorchester Road, Summerville.

Tickets are $15 and $5 for students with ID, and may be purchased by visiting the Gaillard Auditorium box office, through Ticketmaster at 554-6060 and at www.charlestonsymphony.com.

Sinatra and playwrights

The College of Charleston's Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art and department of theater will present "Playwrights Tonight," an evening of new plays written and performed by students in playwriting classes.

Titled "Sinatra Scenes," the theatrical performance is a tribute to Frank Sinatra's music by using five of his classics as inspiration for creating original student-written material. Featured Sinatra songs are "The Lady Is a Tramp," "I've Got You Under My Skin," "Fly Me to the Moon," "The Best Is Yet to Come" and "The Way You Look Tonight."

This is the 14th season for Playwrights Tonight. The event will take place at 7 p.m. Monday at the Halsey Institute in the Simons Center for the Arts, 54 St. Philip St. It is free and open to the public.

Center for Women

A Lowcountry Women Authors Holiday Book Signing will be presented by the Center for Women and Mount Pleasant's Barnes & Noble 2-5 p.m. today at The Citadel's Holliday Alumni House on the campus. More than 30 authors will sign their books, with 20 percent of book sales benefitting the Center for Women. Admission is $10.

Reach Dottie Ashley at 937-5704 or dashley@postandcourier.com.

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