2007-2008 Program Schedule

Sonoma City Opera

Information /Membership

PRESENTS

ABDUCTION FROM THE SERAGLIO

by W. A. Mozart

English Version by Donald Pippin

Spreckels Performing Arts Center

5409 Snyder Lane

Rohnert Park, California

Box Office # 707-588-3400

Wednesday August 22 at 7:30 PM  

Company

Artistic Director/Producer - Antoinette Kuhry
Musical Director/Conductor - Ryan Brown  
Stage Director - Michael Fontaine  
Set Designer - Peter Crompton  
Costume Designer - Freya Marcelius 
Light Designer - Theo Bridant 
Propsmaster - Owen Orser 
Stage Manager - Barbara Evangelista
Asst. Stage Manager - Jessica Aguilar 
Makeup Artist - Wendy Walter  
Webmaster - Kevin Brackett 
Accompanist - Steve Bailey
Orchestra Manager - Kati Kyme  

Cast  

Constanza (Connie) - Susan Gundunas

Belmonte - J. Raymond Meyers

Blondie - Krista Wigle

Pedrillo - Jos Milton

Osmin - Peter Becker

Pasha Selim - John Ballachey

Chorus  

Kimberly Anderman

Jenna MacHaffie

Liz Salisbury

Sarah Clover

Arden Kwan (Chorus Manager)

Grace Wick

Bianca Showalter (also Constanza understudy)

Adrian Boyer

Anthony Martin

Jordan Eldredge

Brian Carey  

Orchestra  

Violin 1     Kati Kyme
Violin 2     Lisa Weiss (Aug 18, 19)
                Joseph Edelberg (Aug. 22, 25,26)
Viola         Zachary Carrettin
Cello         William Skeen (Aug 18, 19)
                     Thalia  Moore (Aug. 22, 25, 26)
Flute          Lars Johannessen
Fortepiano  Steve Bailey  

Blondie - Krista Wigle

DESCRIPTION OF PRODUCTION

Abduction from the Seraglio premiered on July 16, 1782 in Vienna. It is a comedy originally set in Turkey in the 16th Century. As Belmonte, a Spanish prince, comes to the palace of the Pasha Selim trying to find his love Constanza, who with her maid Blonda and his servant Pedrillo, is being held captive. (Pedrillo and Blonda are also a couple). Constanza is being wooed by the Pasha, whose advances she rejects, while Osmin, his henchman, is pursuing Blonda. The two couples attempt to escape to freedom.

In Sonoma City Opera’s production, stage director Michael Fontaine has placed the opera in the 1940s in the spirit of a Bob Hope/Bing Crosby road picture. 

Using Donald Pippin’s clever English version, Constanza (Connie), Blondie and Pedrillo are Americans in trouble abroad in a middle eastern country where they have been detained. Belmonte, a Senator’s son, and Connie’s boyfriend, comes in search of them, and the fun begins as they all try to outsmart the polished Pasha and the odious Osmin. The faithful Connie, the feisty Blondie, the earnest Belmonte and the impudent Pedrillo use all their American know-how and even the power of “Coca Cola” to try and escape. 

Belmonte - J. Raymond Meyers and Constanza (Connie) - Susan Gundunas  

Rivers of beautiful Mozart melodies flow through this opera. Under the guidance of Musical Director and Conductor, Ryan Brown, period instruments will bring back the sound that Mozart knew. 

The orchestra includes a string quartette, flute and a fortepiano. Susan Gundunas, who took the leading soprano roles in Sonoma City Opera’s Elixir of Love and The Daughter of the Regiment, will take on the role of Connie, and J. Raymond Meyers, Krista Wigle and Jos Milton will play Belmonte, Blondie and Pedrillo respectively. The hated Osmin will be portrayed by New York bass, Peter Becker, and John Ballachey will act the speaking role of the Pasha Selim. 

Beautiful music, zany fun, and even a reconciliation of sorts between cultures is the prize for experiencing this Mozart gem.
This is opera for the whole family. 

Wednesday, August 22, is less expensive in order to encourage young people to come and be exposed to the delights of comic opera. Abduction from the Seraglio has a simple story, comedy, beautiful music, and it is about the length of an average movie.

DON’T MISS IT. 

Pedrillo - Jos Milton