PORT ANGELES — In this epic love story, the mature princess is having a secret affair with the 17-year-old count Octavian. Then, along comes the princess’ cousin, boorish Baron Ochs. He’s engaged to young Sophie.
But when Ochs meets Octavian, who’s disguised as a chambermaid to avoid discovery in the princess’ bedroom, he makes advances toward “her.”
Things get weirder. On Ochs’ behalf, Octavian presents Sophie with the customary silver engagement rose. And instantly, those two young people fall in love.
So goes “Der Rosenkavalier” (“The Rose Bearer”), the Strauss opera to be simulcast live from New York City to the Naval Elks Lodge in Port Angeles and the Rose Theatre in Port Townsend this Saturday.
The production, part of the Metropolitan Opera’s Live in HD series, will light the large screen at 9 a.m. in both venues. Tickets are $24 for adults, $18 for seniors and $14 for children and students.
Coffee and breakfast treats will be available at the Elks, 131 E. First St., where the Juan de Fuca Foundation for the Arts and Ghostlight Productions will host the event. Tickets for the Port Angeles show can be purchased at jffa.org and at the door. Tickets to the Rose Theatre simulcast can be purchaed at rosetheatre.com or at the door at 235 Taylor St., Port Townsend.
“Lovers of live theater, foreign films, classical music and spectacle are in for one memorable Saturday,” said Kyle LeMaire, the Juan de Fuca Foundation’s executive director.
“This opera has two intermissions and extra features — including backstage interviews — added to the whole experience,” LeMaire noted.
“Der Rosenkavalier” is Strauss’ most popular opera, according to the Met, while this spring’s staging of it stars soprano Lise Davidsen of Stokke, Norway, as the princess known as the Marschallin.
Austrian bass Günther Groissböck as Baron Ochs and American mezzo-soprano Samantha Hankey as Octavian. Erin Morley, a soprano from Salt Lake City, portrays Sophie. Maestro Simone Young from Sydney, Australia, leads the Met Orchestra.
“Der Rosenkavalier” is sung in German with English subtitles provided. First performed in Dresden, Germany, 112 years ago, it’s an opera known for highlighting female voices. Three primary roles — Sophie, the princess and her paramour Octavian — were written for women to sing them. Hankey, in her portrayal of the teenage Octavian, received a rave review in the New York Times after “Der Rosenkavalier” opened at the Met.
“With a cherubic face she looked every bit the part of a young lover, and, with a touch of careless manspreading while lighting a cigarette, very much a boy,” the Times critic wrote.
Saturday’s simulcast is part of the last few productions in the Metropolitan Opera’s season. “Champion,” Terence Blanchard’s story of a young boxer who rises from obscurity, will be seen on April 29, followed by two Mozart operas: “Don Giovanni” on May 20 and “Die Zauberflote” on June 3.
For information about these and other Juan de Fuca Foundation events, see jffa.org or contact the office at 360-457-5411 or contact@jffa.org.
For more about Rose Theatre, see rosetheatre.com.
