All Over Albany

Opera Saratoga summer season 2016

If you're looking to try something new: The 2016 summer season of Opera Saratoga is in progress.

This season's slate includes productions of The Marriage of Figaro (with music by Mozart), the American premiere of The Witches of Venice (with music by Philip Glass), Il Postino (an adaptation the film), an "An Evening on Broadway!" concert.

The schedule is after the jump.

Opera Saratoga performances are in the Spa Little Theater in Saratoga Spa State Park.

Remaining schedule

All blurbage via Opera Saratoga.

July 9, 15: Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro)
What would you do if your boss wanted to sleep with your girlfriend?

Figaro's adventures continue in Seville, working for the Count as his major-domo. Figaro has fallen in love and is about to get married to Susanna, but the Count has a wandering eye and plans to reinstate an old law, which would allow him to enjoy a passionate night with Figaro's bride-to-be. A madcap cast of characters are intent on interfering with Figaro and Susanna's plans, leading to a whirlwind of tricks and disguises to teach the Count a lesson and save the wedding.

July 2, 11, 17: The Witches of Venice
How far would you go to find a true friend?

The King and Queen of Venice always wanted a child, but when two fairies grant their wish by giving them a magical plant that sprouts them an heir, they are repulsed by the thought of having a plant-boy as their son. The plant-boy lives a lonely life in the royal garden, until one day he hears that there is a little girl - very much like him - living in the Witch's Grand Palace. Feeling unwanted and unloved, the plant-boy escapes and sets off on a wild and whimsical adventure. He soon finds himself narrowly escaping captors, fleeing monsters, and ultimately finding a friend.

Glass brings this touching and charming story of adventure and friendship to life through inventive songs and exhilarating dances. It is one of his most creative scores, featuring fantastical music portraying skeletons, orgres, fairies, and of course... witches!

July 7, 10, 16: Il Postino (The Postman)
Do you know how powerful your words can be?

When exiled Chilean poet Pablo Neruda arrives on a tiny Italian island, he receives so much fan mail that Mario is hired as his personal postman. Mario soon becomes Neruda's student, learning the art of poetry to woo a local barmaid. Inspired by Neruda, Mario's poetic voice continues to take wing as he expresses the struggles of his fellow working-class villagers. A firm friendship develops, and the postman is forever a changed man.

The sounds of the Mediterranean come alive in Catán's stunningly beautiful, Puccini-esque score - a story of love in its many forms, set against a backdrop of conflicting political and spiritual.

July 14: An Evening on Broadway
Where have you always dreamed about going?

The South Pacific, where Bali Ha'i will whisper on the wind of the sea... Brigadoon, blooming under sable skies... Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweeping down the plains.... The Secret Garden, where love grows free and wild... Somewhere, over the rainbow, way up high... Camelot, that most congenial spot... New York, New York, a helluva town, where the people ride in a hold in the groun'...