Opera is among the oldest performance arts in the world. Through song accompanied by dance, scenery, and drama, opera tells a story authentically, without microphones or amplification, and with music performed by a live orchestra. Asked where great opera is found, people mention The Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. They mention Teatro alla Scala in Italy, The Bolshoi Theatre in Russia, The Royal Opera House in England, or even the Sydney Opera House in Australia.
Apart from The Met, when people talk about high quality professional opera in the USA, they mention Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Santa Fe. For most people, even avid fans, Alaska is not on the radar. However, there’s an amazing gem way up in the great north: Anchorage Opera.
You read that correctly. Anchorage, Alaska is home to excellent professional opera. The Alaska Center for the Performing Arts is a fantastic venue loaded with talent at all levels. The staff, the crews, and especially the talent, are on a level worthy of national attention. It won’t be long before people all over the country, and around the world, begin pointing to Anchorage as a mandatory opera destination.
Opera season traditionally begins in the Fall and runs through winter and to the following Spring, so the current production is the 2022-2023 season finale. Running May 5, 6 and 7, Anchorage Opera presents French composer Georges Bizet’s “Carmen.” Set in 19th century Seville, Spain, the story is about a hopeless soldier named Don Jose who abandons his childhood sweetheart, Micaela, and turns his back on the military to pursue the attention of a fiery and exotic gypsy seductress, Carmen, who also happens to be a smuggler.
Perhaps not at all untimely given the modern social-political climate in the USA and around the world, Bizet’s Carmen is said to depict political unrest in 19th century France, where issues of race, gender, and social class became the fuel for power struggles in government and throughout society. With Spain as a cover, and the unique addition of bullfighting flare, Bizet likely managed to avoid persecution for criticism of his own government at the time.
In Anchorage, the staff, crew and cast are every bit as diverse as one may dream. The mix of local community members with pedigreed professionals from abroad is part of what makes the productions so special. Stage Director Laura Alley is a name that should be familiar to experienced operagoers. Her list of credits is lengthy and spans the entire country and several places abroad. In fact, her husband recently retired as the stage manager at The Met. How’s that for a power couple!
Anchorage Opera Stage Manager Helen Irene Muller is nothing short of incredible. She’s a proud Alaskan who has worked across the country as well. Her credits range from community theatre to Broadway, and it shows. She communicates masterfully with everyone and knows exactly what the orchestra is doing at all times, and where the chorus and principals plug in. She does that while reading dialogue, maintaining command on a headset, and directing traffic on the ground. She’s not only a pro; she is a gem!
In fact, each of the staff members is indispensable. The person tending to the ropes, the lights, the props, the stage sets, the backdrops – every one of them loves doing it and does the job with seemingly limitless generosity and passion. Watching the crew work is a marvelous experience. Of course, what they do makes it possible for the cast to be successful, and that is truly one of the best things about Anchorage Opera.
A simple glance at a program tells you all you need to know. Anchorage Opera isn’t just a local effort. Audrey Babcock (Carmen) is a highly decorated international talent. Benjamin Werley (Don Jose) has a lengthy resume of credits from all over the country. Catalina Cuervo (Micaela) is without a doubt one of the finest female Latin American opera singers in the world. These are headliners, and including rising star Alex Soare (Escamillo), these are legends. This degree of above-the-line casting is alone worth making every effort to see the production.
In addition to the big-name stars, there are many highly regarded and very talented local performers of all ages who donated their time and resources to participate in this production of Carmen, and in every production cast Anchorage Opera puts together. From Zoe Mellerstig enthusiastically waving her flag and leading the Children’s Chorus across the stage, to UAA graduates Amanda Boger and Christabel Sosa lending their beautiful voices to the principal roles of Mercedes and Frasquita, to the dazzling supernumerary Matadors, it is clear there is a place in Anchorage Opera for anyone who loves music and wants to be involved in this greatest of art forms.
As for the opening night performance of Carmen, there is only one word to describe it: magnificent! Every line, every look, every aria was flawlessly on point and beautifully delivered. With a skillful orchestra masterfully led by Principal Conductor Brian DeMaris, the audience enjoyed such fan-favorites as Carmen’s “Habanera” and the “Toreador Song.”
Audrey Babcock’s voice projected with power and punch as she filled the stage with fiery seduction and dance. Babcock also lent her talents as choreographer to this production and led an enthusiastic chorus in Flamenco during her dazzling “Gypsy Song.” Benjamin Werley delivered a pure and consistent performance showing no signs of fatigue despite his many stage battles, and even captured a shred of sympathy with his performance of “La fleur que tu m’avais jetee.” Catalina Cuervo’s voice soared in an unbelievable performance that tugged at the heart strings and brought people to tears, particularly with her aria “Je dis, que rien ne m’epouvante,” sung while she is frightened and alone in the mountains, praying for courage while searching for her love, Don Jose. The character of Escamillo is always a favorite, and Alex Soare is no exception as he dazzled the audience with his charming Toreador Song, “Votre toast, je peux vous le rende,” winning more hearts than Carmen’s!
With only two nights remaining for the Anchorage Opera’s “Carmen,” the community needs to act fast to get tickets to this exceptional, must-see production! Tickets can be purchased online, over the phone, or at the box office. Come join the fun Saturday 5/6 at 8pm, or Sunday 5/7 at 4pm.
Looking ahead, the 2023-2024 season is just around the corner. This exciting upcoming season features Donizetti’s “The Elixir of Love,” Derrick Wang’s “Scalia/Ginsburg,” and Verdi’s “La Traviata.” Follow Anchorage Opera on social media to stay updated, find out more information and learn how to get involved in this gem of a production company!