Opera: SA premiere of Argento’s ‘Postcard from Morocco’

by | Oct 30, 2014 | News | 0 comments

Cape Town Opera in collaboration with the UCT Opera School presents the SA premiere of Dominick Argento’s exotic, colourful one act opera Postcard from Morocco

Set in the waiting room at a train station, a small group of strangers with their pieces of luggage in varying shapes and sizes become distracted.  As conversations begin, secrets remain well hidden but dreams are revealed, making for an amusing music drama.

Mixing Viennese operetta and Wagnerian themes with cabaret, coloratura cadenzas and the blues, this unusual, absurdist opera is not about destinations or journeys: it is about people and the baggage they carry with them through life, providing a rare platform for South Africa’s next young soloists-in-the-making to shine.

The Cape Town Pops Orchestra, under the baton of acclaimed international conductor, Maestro Philip Brunelle will accompany this production’s talented cast. Alan Swerdlow directs Postcard from Morocco with costumes and set design by Michael Mitchell, lighting by Faheem Bardien and choreography Sean Bovim.

Maestro Brunelle conducted the world premiere of the opera on October 14, 1971, at the Cedar Village Theater Minneapolis, Minnesota.  “This was my first Argento opera to conduct (he had been a professor of mine at the University of Minnesota so this was quite a dramatic moment for me).  Dominick has a wonderful way with setting words and POSTCARD is no exception.  The marvelous way in which each of the characters has a musical style, the way he knows how to pace an opera and his amazing sense of color in writing for a chamber ensemble – these are all marvelous.  There are very few composers that are skilled at both composing for the voice and for the orchestra – Dominick is one of these.  Each of the characters in the opera has such a definite character and Argento gives each one a fantastic aria to sing.  He also composed glorious ensembles where each of them can shine.  Another sign of his genius”, says Brunelle.

WHERE: Artscape, Cape Town
WHEN:
Wednesday, 19 November at 7pm
Thursday, 20 November at 7pm
Friday, 21 November at 7pm
Saturday, 22 November at 6pm
Sunday, 23 November at 2:30pm
The duration of the performance is 90 minutes, no interval.
TICKET PRICES & SPECIAL OFFER: all booking through Computicket.
Opera ticket only: R160.00. One price throughout.
On offer is a special OPERA AND DINNER combo at R200 per person which includes your opera ticket, a Moroccan inspired dinner, and a glass of wine sponsored by Jordan wines.  Computicket.
Senior Citizens and Students only – 50 % discount on opera ticket only
on presentation of a valid ID.  First come first served basis only.
Limited to 250 tickets on Sunday, 23 November 2014.
INFO: visit  or follow Cape Town Opera on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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