by Giacomo Puccini
Oct. 20 – Nov. 11, 2006
The year is 1850 in the new California Territory. In the Cloudy Mountain gold mining camp there is only one law: every man for himself. Minnie's saloon, The Polka, offers the miners a place to escape their daily routine of fights and lynchings. A place to eat a good meal, drink their whiskey straight, dream of love and home and of making a killing at the Faro table. But their world is turned upside down upon the arrival of a stranger, who may steal their gold or their beloved Minnie's heart. Either way, they stand to lose. Tensions mount when the sheriff himself wants the girl and the Wells Fargo agent wants the notorious bandit, Ramerrez.
Here's Puccini at his most surprising. He's created a richly dramatic love story, set against the outlaw days of the California Gold Rush. Musically, this opera has all of the brilliant characteristics of Puccini's later works. Breathtaking percussive passages punctuate the score in complex, brilliant style, while sumptuous arias flow seamlessly throughout. It is a rare masterpiece that explores the full range of vocal color and characterization, and Puccini himself considered it his finest work.
Run Dates: Oct. 20* (8:00), 21** (8:00), 28 (8:00), 29 (2:00) and Nov 1 (7:30), 3 (8:00), 5 (2:00) sold out, 8 (7:30), 10 (8:00) & 11 (8:00) sold out
Reviews:
'Golden West' no horse opera, Press Democrat, October 27, 2006, Dan Taylor
Petaluma's Cinnabar Theater, dedicated to quality local opera, has put together a fine cast for its production, led by San Francisco-trained soprano Kathleen Sisco as Minnie, who rules her rowdy saloon crowd with a sweet smile on her face and a rifle in her hand.
That's nothing new. Cinnabar usually recruits strong leading players. In this production, the rest of the love triangle - baritone William Neeley as Sheriff Jack Rance and tenor John Davey-Hatcher as the gentleman bandit sometimes known as Johnson of Sacramento - display powerful voices and commanding stage presence. Read the full review here...
*Optional pre-show opening night gala, provided by Lombardi’s Gourmet BBQ
Oct. 20, 7:00 p.m. (add $10). Special guest lecturer: Come to the gala and hear a brief history of the California Gold Rush courtesy of a Wells Fargo historian.
** Post-show Chamber Chat Oct. 21 Enjoy a glass of wine and a discussion with the cast and directors of The Girl of the Golden West. No additional charge.
Partial underwriting provided by Wells Fargo Bank. Look for the Wells Fargo stagecoach at Lombardi’s Gourmet BBQ at 3413 Petaluma Blvd. North on October 20 from 5:00-8:30 pm. A photographer will be on hand for photo opportunities!
Tickets: $32 general/$30 seniors and students
For Tickets or Information: Cinnabar Box Office at 707.763-8920
| Graciously underwritten by Wells Fargo |  |
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