By: Christian Kirkpatrick
Under skies as changeable as a wanton woman’s affections, the Opera Festival of New Jersey inaugurated its 17th season Saturday with a gala dinner and the opening of Georges Bizet’s “Carmen.”
Food for the 200 patrons was served in a tent on the grounds of the Princeton Theological Seminary, less than a block from the McCarter Theater, where the opera is being staged. Tables were set with black table cloths and — what else? — blood red napkins and centerpieces of matching roses. One could almost hear the castanets clicking.
“‘Carmen’ is a perfect opera,” said conductor Michael Ching. “Lots of catchy tunes and complex writing,” he went on. “It’s great fun.” He praised the production’s leads, Suzanna Guzman as Carmen, Gerald Powers as Don Jose and Kristopher Irmiter as Escamillo. Ms. Guzman has sung the role of the enchantress many, many times, including an avant-garde MTV-style production with the Houston Grand Opera.
General Director Karen Tiller said this is the festival’s biggest year yet. It is expanding from 13 performances last year to 18 and from four operas to five. In addition to “Carmen,” the festival is staging Giuseppe Verdi’s “Falstaff,” “Six Characters in Search of an Author” by Hugo Weisgall and “Burning Bright” by Princeton native Frank Lewin.
This will be the first professional performance of “Burning Bright,” based on a novella by John Steinbeck. Its music is challenging, and its plot is timeless, said Patrick Hansen, the opera’s conductor and the festival’s music director.
The story is of a middle-aged man who has tried unsuccessfully to impregnate his much younger wife. He desperately wants his blood line to live on. When his wife becomes pregnant through an extra-marital affair he is thrilled, believing the baby is his own. Eventually he learns the truth and must decide what to do with his wife and the child. He realizes that family is more important to him than his pride, and he accepts the child as his own.
“No one dies; no one jumps off a bridge,” commented Mr. Hansen, as a character might in a tragic opera. “This is an affirmation of life.”
“Burning Bright” is underwritten by The New York Community Trust — The Scheide Fund. The fund, which was created by Princeton resident William H. Scheide, recently gave the festival $500,000. Half of the gift underwrites “Burning Bright,” and half establishes an endowment for the festival. An endowment will provide the stability, Ms. Tiller noted, that the festival has long needed.
The Opera Festival of New Jersey runs through July 23 at McCarter Theatre. Single ticket prices range from $22 to $82. Call (609) 258-ARTS for more information.
