In Act 2 of Gian Carlo Menotti’s “The Consul,” the magician Nika Magadoff (Alex Mansoori) hypnotizes everyone in the consulate and makes them dance: 
Oh, what a lovely ballroom this is...
the floor shines with precious marble.
Look how the light falls bright and clear 
from twenty crystal chandeliers.
Look at the crimson walls, hung with golden mirrors. 
Ah, listen:  the music has begun.
Ah! How you'd love to dance with your loved one...
But where is he? But where is she?
There, there he is!  He's bowing to you.
Look, there she is...bow to her.
What are you waiting for?
The floor is empty, the music sweet...
the dance is on.
Carlo Montanaro conducts the orchestra of Seattle Opera. Elise Bakketun, photo
Seattle Opera, The Consul, Menotti, Carlo Montanaro, Alex Mansoori


THE CONSUL: ALEX MANSOORI as Nika Magadoff

In Act Two of Gilbert & Sullivan’s THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE the pirates plan to storm Major-General Stanley’s house in the middle of the night, unaware that a crowd of policemen, relentlessly imitating trumpets to embolden themselves, are waiting to ambush and arrest them. After failing to be as quiet as they claim, the pirates sing one of Sullivan’s most beloved tunes—actually, Sullivan’s copyright piracy of Verdi’s “Anvil Chorus” from IL TROVATORE. Francesco Milioto conducted the chorus & orchestra of The Atlanta Opera in Atlanta in 2021. Music provided by The Atlanta Opera Film Studio.

PIRATES: With cat-like tread,
Upon our prey we steal; 
In silence dread,
Our cautious way we feel.
No sound at all,
We never speak a word, 
A fly’s foot-fall
Would be distinctly heard.
POLICE: (Tarantara, tarantara!)
PIRATES: So stealthily the pirate creeps,
While all the household soundly sleeps. 
Come, friends, who plough the sea,
Truce to navigation; 
Take another station;
Let’s vary piracee 
With a little burglaree!

PIRATES: “With cat-like tread”

Norma, priestess of the ancient Druids, may not look much like your typical Halloween witch; but she certainly casts a spell over everyone onstage and in the audience when she sings her prayer to the chaste goddess of the moon, “Casta diva.” Jane Eaglen made her Seattle Opera debut and won her first Seattle Opera Artist of the Year Award singing this challenging music in our 1994 production of Bellini’s NORMA, under the baton of Edoardo Mueller. 

PHOTO: Gary Smith

JANE EAGLEN sings “Casta diva” - from NORMA

Join me as I sit down with Emily Cabiness, librarian and archivist for the Seattle Opera. We discuss the art of opera, through both process and product. How does it stay relevant in contemporary life? What kind of collaborative work does it take to put on a production? What does a librarian do for an opera company? How does music help us express the otherwise ineffable? 

A funny, engaging, and emotional chat with a good friend of the show.

(Disclaimer: Emily participated in this discussion outside of her official duties with the Seattle Opera. As such, all of her opinions are her own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Seattle Opera or any affiliated staff or artists!)

For more information about the Seattle Opera, including upcoming shows and events, visit https://www.seattleopera.org/ 

For those interested in listening to Emily’s scene selections further, please see the recorded versions below:

Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro - “Pace Pace Mio Dolce Tesoro” - https://open.spotify.com/track/3EQrqvdRO7VMWSPKSlCdSe

Wager’s The Valkyrie - “War Es So Schmählich”
https://open.spotify.com/track/68CZHU1J4F89quxGwQOQGn

All clips and music used under Creative Commons and Fair Use policies.

Ping: Opera With Emily

Founded in 1963, Seattle Opera is a leading American opera company. The company presents the classics of the European repertoire as well as new works of American opera. Frequent productions of Wagner's RING, beginning in 1975, established the company's worldwide reputation. Seattle Opera usually presents five opera productions each year.

JANE EAGLEN sings “Casta diva” - from NORMA

Seattle Opera

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