To See Again The Stars

The title, “To See Again the Stars”, refers to the 34th canto of Dante’s “La Divina Commedia”, in which Dante emerges from Hell, having seen Lucifer, the “Light Bringer”. Our program commemorates the 20th anniversary of 9/11 and the pandemic crisis, but with faith in humans and our creativity, moves forth towards a new awakening and proverbial dance of joy into our future - like Dante, emerging from Darkness into the Light.
Maestro Siciliani has constructed a lavish visually and aurally stunning program. The entire first half features opera scenes of Giuseppe Verdi, beginning appropriately and reverently with the “Salce” and “Ave Maria” from Otello (Act 4). There follows en temps voulu the powerful overture to La Forza del Destino. Reflecting on the intrigue and tremors in our political world, Verdi demonstrates these ever-constant realities - not to diminish their significance, but to remind us, perhaps we’ve experienced and withstood many such moments in our human history - in chosen excerpts from La Forza del Destino and Un Ballo in Maschera.
The second half looks comedically at ourselves - humor being one of the greatest medicaments for suffering - with Act 2, Scene 1 of Falstaff, that loveable jocular hero. There follow moments of agonizingly beautiful memorable arias by Rossini, Donizetti, and Lehar with a hilarious deliciously, and devilishly difficult duet, “Cheti, Cheti immantinente” from Donizetti’s Don Pasquale. Please envelop yourselves in the magical wings of this new butterfly, as OPC emerges into a new vivid season of miracles for 2021-2022!
Maestro Alessandro Siciliani, with his hand-picked orchestra of musicians from Columbus and regional Ohio, is joined by a rich stable of vibrant operatic talent including Caroline Bergan, soprano; Jennifer Forni, soprano; Carolyn Redman, mezzo-soprano; Victor Cardamone, tenor; Matthew White, tenor; Robert Kerr, baritone; Jason Budd, bass-baritone; and, Hannah Bullock, narrator.