Live opera is a worthy indulgence

Robin Follman is Desdemona, wife of the commander Otello in the Hawaii Opera Theatre's season opener "Otello," beginning tonight. Photos by Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

Advertiser Staff

Dutiful Desdemona (Follman) and the fiery Otello (Mark Lundberg) are a couple whose fate is sealed by Otello's all-consuming jealousy.

Iago (Gary Simpson) plays a pivotal role in Otello's doom.

For classical-music and stage fans, and opera newcomers, it's a chance to indulge in the drama and pageantry of the centuries-old form of entertainment. As the season unfolds, here are a few suggestions to make your opera experience the best it can be:

Learn about what you are about to see and hear. HOT's season includes "Otello," "Cosi Fan Tutte" and "The Merry Widow," three popular and widely accessible works. Go online or to your neighborhood library to research the story and familiarize yourself with the characters. Any number of CDs are available for your listening pleasure, and you'd be building your classical-music collection at the same time (and maybe afterward you'll even spring for a DVD!). If you're at the Blaisdell Concert Hall early enough, lectures about the works are offered before each performance; catch them an hour or a half hour before showtime.

Dress comfortably. For many opera buffs, it's the season to dress up in gowns and tuxedos, but that's certainly not a requirement. Operas generally run in excess of three hours, with an intermission or two, so it's important to wear clothing that doesn't pinch or pull at you. And it might be best to eat before the evening performances. A growling stomach will surely detract from the opera experience after the third hour.

Turn off those cell phones and pagers. Be as quiet as possible. Your neighbors — and you, too — should be concentrating on the action and the music, as this is a rare opportunity to witness the magic of live opera.

Relax, you don't have to know Italian ("Otello" and "Cosi Fan Tutte") to enjoy the opera. Big subtitles will be flashed above the stage. ("The Merry Widow" will be sung in English.)

Lavish your praise when you are particularly moved. Technically, it's "Bravo!" for a male performer, "Brava!" for a woman and "Bravi" for two or more performers; of course, applause is universally understood. If you're not sure when to applaud or to shout your enthusiasm, follow the lead of your neighbors.

If you decide you love opera, become a member of HOT or a season subscriber for next year. You get a shot at better seats. See www.hawaiiopera.org.

'Songs of Love and War'

• $29-$100
• Blaisdell Concert Hall
• 596-7858

Note: Lectures are offered at one hour and at one-half hour before each performance.

The operas:

Otello (Mark Lundberg) arrives in Cyprus, under orders from Venice to defend the island against the Turkish fleet.

Iago (Gary Simpson), left, and Cassio (Jonathan Boyd) are under Otello's command in Hawaii Opera Theatre's season opener.

Based on the Shakespearean tragedy, this tale takes place in 15th-century Cyprus, under siege by the Turkish fleet. The Moor Otello, sent by Venice to defend the island, arrives with his wife, the beautiful Desdemona. Otello, a great commander, has a fatal flaw: His jealousy, fed by his spiteful ensign Iago, leads him toward destruction.

Directed by Henry Akina, conducted by Ivan Törzs and stars Mark Lundberg as Otello, Robin Follman as Desdemona and Gary Simpson as Iago.

"Cosi Fan Tutte," by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

It's Naples in the late 1700s, and bachelors Ferrando and Guglielmo are about to marry. However, their cynical friend Don Alfonso bets the two that their prospective wives, the sisters Dorabella and Fiordiligi, will not remain faithful for even a day. The bachelors pretend to go off to war, but return disguised as Albanian playboys and woo the sisters. Much deceit and mistaken identity ensue.

Directed by Richard Harrell, conducted by Antony Walker, and stars Steven Condy as Don Alfonso, George Dyer as Ferrando, Suzanna Guzm‡n as the maid Despina, Ning Liang as Dorabella, Yali-Marie Williams as Fiordiligi and Christopheren Nomura as Guglielmo.

8 p.m. Feb. 13, 4 p.m. Feb. 15, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17

"The Merry Widow," by Franz Lehár

In the late 19th century in Paris, the scene is lush and lively, and centers around Hanna Glawari, the lovely widow of the richest man in Pontevedro (a fictitious Balkan state). The handsome Danilo, a Pontevedrian, is poised to court and marry the widow in order to keep her money in the homeland.

Directed by Brian Deedrick, conducted by Mark D. Flint and stars Diane Alexander as Hanna Glawari, Louis Otey as Danilo, with Honolulu's Lea Woods Friedman in the featured role of Valencienne.

8 p.m. Feb. 27, 4 p.m. Feb. 29, 7:30 p.m. March 2, 4