Harrisburg Opera Association presented "An Historically Accurate Version" of Giacomo Puccini's Madama Butterfly at the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts.
Featured artists included Tami Swartz as Butterfly, the Metropolitan Opera's Adam Klein as Pinkerton and Timothy Lafontaine
as Sharpless. Though Japonisme had gripped Europe for decades, not much was known to
Puccini and his librettists about the Japanese people or their culture; but they did their best to present an opera
set in Japan with what information they had. A century after the London premiere of Puccini's masterpiece Mr. Klein,
who also directed, researched the history of Japan during the Meiji Restoration Period to provide a fresh approach to this classic opera. Frances Haraguchi Swartz was
the historical and cultural consultant and added invaluable authenticity to the production.
Featured Artists:
Tami Swartz as Cho-Cho-san / Co-Director
Adam Klein as Pinkerton / Stage Director
Timothy Lafontaine as Sharpless
Lara Wilson as Suzuki
Edward Albert as Commissioner / Bonze / Prince Yamadori
Debbie Smith as Kate Pinkerton
Elizabeth Hastings - Music Director / Conductor
Concept by Adam Klein
Frances H. Swartz - Japanese History / Cultural Consultant
Set and Poster by Patricia Windrow
PAGANINI May 25th & 27th, 2006 - 7:30PM
Harrisburg Opera Association presented Franz Lehar's Paganini at the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts. This not so historically accurate romp through 1806 Italy took alook at the famous violinist's romance with the sister of Napoleon. Jon Robert Cart portrayed Paganni while Joseph Esmilla
portrayed the role of his violin. This operetta marks the first in six collaborations by the composer with the legendary tenor, Richard Tauber.
First performed in German at the Johann Strauss theatre, in Vienna, October 30, 1925, HOA used a more recent
English translation.
Featured Artists:
Paganini - Jon Robert Cart
Anna Elisa - Rebecca Carr
Bella Giretti - Kimberly Simmons
Pimpinelli - Christyan Seay
Prince Felice - Keith Brant
Bartucci - Rick Voight
Beppo - David O'Donnell
Music Director - Timothy Dixon
Stage Director - Anne Webber
Pianist - Steven Crawford
Paganini's Violin - Joseph Esmilla
Keely Thompson - Costume Design
PAGANINI