Gods, Knights and Scholars

Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra music director Mischa Santora and cast member, "Master Peter's Puppet Show"

Gods and goddesses, i.e. divos and divas, are being recruited today (June 6) at Music Hall, where Cincinnati Opera’s “Opera Idol” search commences from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m..
   A knight, Don Quixote de la Mancha, visits Madcap Puppet Theater and the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra June 7 in Corbett Auditorium at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, with repeat (also June 7) at Anderson Center in Anderson township.
   And scholars gather around to explore a deity of another kind, Richard Wagner, in a seminar on “Wagner and Cinema” at CCM, concluding today (June 6) with a round table discussion and concert featuring CCM faculty artists and a film by Tony Palmer.
  
Details:

“Opera Idol.”
   June 6. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Music Hall. “American Idol”-style auditions for "Cincinnati’s next opera star.”  Eligibility is limited to singers age 18 or above by June 5, 2009 from a 60-mile radius of Cincinnati.  The preliminary auditions, judged by a team of opera experts, are being held on a first-come-first-served basis and are closed to the public.  Ten to twelve semi-finalists will perform in a public event June 24 in Jarson-Kaplan Theater at the Aronoff Center. For details, see www.cincinnatiopera.org and/or “Calling Cincinnati Singers” in "News" on this site.

Eleanor Parker as Marjorie Lawrence in "Interrupted Melody" (1955)

“Wagner and Cinema Festival.”
  June 6. 2 p.m. Baur Room, University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.   Roundtable discussion, “Wagner and Cinema.”  Panelists: Edward Rothstein, cultural critic-at-large for the The New York Times; Evans Mirageas, artistic director, Cincinnati Opera; film director Tony Palmer; Mark Gibson, director of orchestral studies at CCM; and Paul Fryer, director of theater and performance studies, Rose Bruford College, United Kingdom.  Free.
   8 p.m. Patricia Corbett Theater, CCM. Concert: “Redemption through Love.” Excerpts from “Tristan and Isolde,” “The Ring of the Nibelungs,” “The Flying Dutchman” and “Tannhäuser” by Wagner with a film by Tony Palmer.  Soprano Barbara Honn, tenor Thomas Baresel, bass-baritone Kenneth Shaw. CCM Philharmonia Orchestra. Mark Gibson, conductor. Free.

The Boy, the Don and Master Peter (Madcap Puppet Theater, Cincinnati)

"Spanish Legends: Don Quixote.”
   June 7. 2 p.m. Corbett Auditorium, CCM. 7:30 p.m. Anderson Center, Anderson Township. “A Knight’s Tale.” Telemann, “Don Quixote” Suite (CCM only). De Falla, “El amor brujo” ballet suite. Rossini, Overture to “Il barbiere de Siviglia.” De Falla, “Master Peter’s Puppet Show” (based on “Don Quixote” by Cervantes) in collaboration with Madcap Puppet Theater and Bowling Green State University. Mezzo-soprano Stacey Rishoi. Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra. Mischa Santora, conductor.
   Tickets are $15-$50 at CCM, $15 for adults, $5 for children at Anderson Center.  Call (513) 723-1182, ext.102, or visit www.ccocincinnati.org