By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

Hawaii Opera Theatre director Henry Akina pauses between during rehearsals for "La Traviata" at Blaisdell Concert Hall. The show opens tonight. Photos by Jeff Widener The Honolulu Advertiser

"My mom loved Pavarotti and Caruso and played their music all the time," Stafford said. "So I started going to opera alone, even if it's a little expensive for me. But it's a priority — I buy opera tickets instead of clothes."

Michael Nassir, 31, an instructor in physics and astronomy at UH-Manoa, has taken dates to the opera. He is not a subscriber — yet — but chooses performances carefully because he loves classical music, particularly music with storylines and pageantry. Opera offers him musical satisfaction and a good time.

"My first opera was in 1994, I think, when Hawaii Opera Theatre did 'La Traviata,'" Nassir said.

"I loved it. I was initially intimidated by the language, since I don't understand Italian, but the supertitles (translations) were surprisingly easy to follow. I just love the productions ... and it makes for a nice date."

Stafford and Nassir typify the "new generation" of HOT fans, who are exploring, supporting and attending opera.

Not surprisingly, HOT has been flexing its muscle and coming up with new ways to attract patrons such as Stafford and Nassir, who are in the coveted 18-to-34 demographic. As Henry Akina, HOT general and artistic director said, "We've been trying to open opera up to the younger generation, which may not have been committed in the past but who are beginning to see opera not only as entertainment but a discipline, one they're better understanding."

With the new season opening tonight with "La Traviata," HOT has been heralding its tri-show slate of "wanton women," "wicked wahine" and "bad girls" in print and broadcast media, embracing community notables Margery Bronster, Anne Namba, Carole Kai, Mazie Hirono and Linda Coble to entice patrons. The other two productions are "Salome" and "Carmen."

"We looked at the repertoire and considered ways to make opera packaging desirable, to make people aware that opera goes beyond the fact that people sing, and we thought the wanton women theme, as long as it wasn't mean to women, could work to help get people talking, perhaps shaking the audience a little bit, in a positive way."

For generations, opera has been thought of as upper-crust entertainment, attended by socialites and mostly the monied. Traditionally, the genre was starchy and exclusive.

But no more.

Opera America, which charts trends, said that in North America, opera attendance has increased 25 to 30 percent in the past decade, with one third of U.S. audiences now younger than 35.

In Hawai'i, HOT's research indicates 83 percent of its audience is younger than 55, with 42 percent 18 to 34.

"We have very committed younger patrons," said Akina. "But we've yet to see a trend among younger demographics. We try to make opera relevant to local people, and the question always is asked, do we serve the tourist market, too? Not really; that is a transient market. We're eager to entice the locals, to let them know that opera is not wrapped in the gauze of the Italian language with 19th-century classical music. ... It's as immediate as a musical or a rock concert."

Akina said that HOT's "Opera for Everyone" program, now in its 10th season, has helped widen the grasp and fuel interest among the youthful opera fans. Specifically, in-school programs are staged to introduce opera to the kids.

"The program has certainly increased awareness," Akina said. "It's somewhat amazing to see a high school student sitting quietly and enjoying a performance of 'Tristan and Isolde.' Anyone who thinks a high schooler is not ready or cannot appreciate opera is wrong."

HOT stages budget-priced "Opera for Everyone" performances — dress rehearsals, before opening night — for youths eager to whet their appetites.

Nassir loves the accessibility and informality of the opera scene here. "Last year, I had great seats to 'Cav/Pag' (full name, 'Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci') because it was the add-on fourth performance. It was interesting ... someone in black-tie tuxedo sat a few seats away; next to me was a guy in tank top and slippers. Only in Hawai'i. And quite a few young people on dates."

With a $2.7 million budget this year, Akina said HOT has to be prudent with its spending to remain afloat and efficient in these economic hard times.

"Our budget really hasn't grown," he said. Last year's budget was $2.65 million. "We haven't had the possibility of growing, so we've been looking at creative ways to expand the palette of services while being fiscally responsible."

There is a slight deficit, he said, declining to name a figure, because of investments that didn't fare well during the slump. "But the endowment is secure."

At the opera. cry or cheer – but don't chatter

Act 1 of "La Traviata," which opens tonight at the Blaisdell Concert Hall, includes a lively party at the home of the courtesan Violetta.

To best appreciate opera, you really should familiarize yourself with the genre and have a little prep session.

It's not as foreign or distant as it may initially appear to be.

It helps if you're well rested, because the evenings are quite long.

You ought to make it an adventure, a challenge, a fun escapade.

Or go with someone in the know.

The point is, there are some "hows" and tips to ease your maiden voyage.

Dining in — and out

There's nothing worse than being hungry — your stomach will growl — at a lengthy opera.

So it's prudent to eat before curtain. After all, most productions run three hours (with intermission), and unless you're used to to dining late (11 p.m.), you'll be famished.

HOT has some options.

• Prix-fixe dining before Friday and Tuesday performances:

  For the 2002 season, a dozen Honolulu restaurants have agreed to offer patrons a quick menu that can be ordered and savored in an hour, with enough time to make the 8 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. curtain. Most restaurants are 5 to 15 minutes from the Blaisdell Concert Hall, and reservations (which are limited) should be by 6 p.m. Fridays or 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays.

  Participating eateries:

  • 3660 on the Rise, 737-1177.
  • Aaron's at the Ala Moana Hotel, 955-4466.
  • Brew Moon, 593-0088.
  • Cafe Sistina, 596-0061.
  • Chai's Island Bistro, Aloha Tower Marketplace, 585-0011.
  • Keo's Ward Centre, 596-0020.
  • Kincaid's Fish, Chop & Steakhouse, Ward Warehouse, 591-2005.
  • Palomino, 528-2400.
  • Ryan's Grill, 591-9132.
  • Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar, 536-6286.
  • Sarento's Top of the 'Ilikai, 955-5559.
  • Sunset Grill, 521-4409.
    
    

• Or there's the "Gourmet to Go" option: Dine under the stars at the concert hall, with menus prepared with an operatic flair. A prepaid meal by Elegant Catering is available for on-site, pre-curtain enjoyment ($15) on Tuesdays. Three-day advance reservations required. Call 594-4015.
• A champagne and chocolate reception takes place after Friday opening night performances ($11). Call 594-4015.
• A Divas & Desserts promotion, on Friday nights only, enables a ticket-stub holder to get a free decadent dessert at Cafe Sistina, Chai's Island Bistro or Indigo Eurasian Cuisine.

Happy talk

• Lanai lectures: An hour before curtain, a free 30-minute informational session is held on the Blaisdell lanai, with clues on what to expect, explanation of the story line and tips on how best to enjoy the performance.

• Opera preview lectures, sponsored by HOT's Education Committee, involve artists, directors and conductors before each production. The sessions for "La Traviata" have already been held, but the "Salome" preview will be at 10 a.m. Feb. 6 and 4 p.m. Feb. 9 (lecture only) at the Honolulu Academy of Arts; for "Carmen," at 10 a.m. Feb. 20 and 4 p.m. Feb. 23 (lecture only), at the Academy of Arts. Additional previews will be at Borders Ward Centre — "Salome" at 1 p.m. Feb. 10, "Carmen" at 1 p.m. Feb. 24. Jim Becker presides over "Salome," Terence Knapp over "Carmen."

• One-hour musical previews are also scheduled on KHPR Radio (88.1 FM): at 7 p.m. Feb. 7 for "Salome," 7 p.m. Feb. 21 for "Carmen." Gene Schiller and Jim Becker preside.

Clothes encounters

What to wear? Anything goes, it seems.

Opening-night audiences tend to dress up, Sunday matinee crowds opt for comfort. Both are suitable for any performance, says Henry Akina, HOT general and artistic director.

"I remember going to talk to a lawyer's club, at lunch, so I got all dressed up to go to a 12th-floor office at Ali'i Place, on Bishop Street, where I was asked, 'Can I wear my shorts and slippers?' You can wear anything you want; mostly, you should feel good in what you wear. I tell people, wear your best, or whatever you feel your best is, but we get some very interesting combinations of dress."

Indeed. Chilly, windy nights often bring out faux fur among women clad in floor-length gowns. Some gents insist on donning tuxedos.

A row away, there will be less-formal couple, he in aloha shirt, khakis and loafers, she in a mu'u mu'u.

Dos and don'ts

• It's OK to laugh, to cry, to cheer. Let the performers know you appreciate the performance with loud applause, even hurrahs and shouts of "bravo!" Yes, you can even hiss or boo the villain; opera is participatory, in this sense.

• Turn off your cellular phones and pagers. Or stash 'em in the car. Nothing worse than a beeping pager at the height of an aria.

• Read ahead to familiarize yourself with plot, characters, the boundaries of the story. If you can't make a pre-curtain lecture or couldn't sample the music ahead of time, search on the Web or at least arrive early enough to read the program notes.

• Watch your fluid intake. Operas tend to run long, and it might be an uncomfortable wait till intermission for that restroom dash.

• Bring a sweater or a wrap; the air-conditioning can get a bit chilly.

• Try not to don an oversized hat that might obscure the views of folks behind you. Also, avoid wearing heavy-scented lei; the aroma might be sweet, but not everyone can tolerate yellow ginger or pua keni keni for three hours.

• If you sit in the balcony, bring your opera glasses. The bird's-eye view is perfect for perspective, but sometimes you want to see a close-up of the soprano or the tenor.

• Watch, don't talk. There will be plenty of opportunity to discuss scenes or performances later.

• If you must suck on a lozenge, open the wrapper discreetly; rustling foil and plastic can be heard by more folks than you imagine. And gum chewers, don't "crack" your gum (actually, food is prohibited — but discretion is the golden rule here; in other words, enjoy your Spam musubi before entering the hall).

• Take advantage of the supertitles for enlightenment; don't worry if the same lines are sung thrice while the translations don't change. That's how it is in opera.

Hawaii Opera Theatre, 2002

Performances are in the Blaisdell Concert Hall; with the Honolulu Symphony

'La Traviata'

• An opera by Giuseppe Verdi, sung in Italian
• Premieres at 8 p.m. today; repeats at 4 p.m. Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday
• Featuring Robin Follman as Violetta, Warren Mok as Alfredo, Cynthia Ballentine as Flora, Quinn Kelsey as the Baron
• Directed by Michael Cavanagh
• Conducted by Michael Ching

'Salome'

• An opera by Richard Strauss, sung in German
• Premieres at 8 p.m. Feb. 15; repeats at 4 p.m. Feb. 17, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19
• Featuring Kristine Ciesinski as Salome, Kenneth Riegel as Herod, Ruthild Engert as Herodias, David Okerlund as John the Baptist, James Cornelison as Narraboth
• Directed by Henry Akina
• Conducted by Ivan Torz

'Carmen'

• An opera by George Bizet, sung in French
• Premieres at 8 p.m. March 1; repeats at 4 p.m. March 3, 7:30 p.m. March 5 and 7
• Featuring Ning Liang as Carmen, Matthew Kirchner as Don Joe, Philip Skinner as Escamillo, Karen Driscoll as Micaela, Mary Chesnut as Frasquita
• Directed by Bernard Uzan
• Conducted by Mark Flint

Season tickets: $75-$270

Single tickets: $27-$95

Reservations: 596-7858, hawaiiopera.org