All about the Arts - February 22, 2018
‘MADAMA BUTTERFLY” DELIGHTS ON DI
Audiences were reportedly mesmerized by the performance of “Madama Butterfly: The Untold Story” in the Blackbaud Atrium on Daniel Island January 25-27. Presented by the South of Broadway Theatre Company, set to be the theatre-in-residence at the planned Daniel Island Performing Arts Center, the production was based on the opera “Madame Butterfly” by Giacomo Puccini and featured acclaimed soloists Nathan Matticks, Vittoria Gilda Miranda, Esther Williams and Jorge Alexander. The program was orchestrated by Daniel Schlosberg and Abdiel Iriarte. Ron Mendola, DIPAC director of music, served as guest conductor. Afterwards, two attendees provided comments on the show.
“No need to travel to NYC to the Metropolitan Opera…to experience Puccini’s hauntingly beautiful opera, ‘Madame Butterfly,’” stated Daniel Island resident Pat Maraziti. “Visionary Mary Gould brought an amazingly scaled version to the flower-adorned atrium of the Blackbaud on Daniel Island…Surely, if this production is indicative of the future offerings by Mary and her team, the Daniel Island Performing Arts Center cannot be built soon enough. Bravo!”
“These four soloists carried the entire theme of the opera without chorus or elaborate staging, simply on the strength and beauty of their voices,” added Summerville resident Arlena Withers. “…I deeply enjoyed, cried and lived through a musical evening that truly overwhelmed me by its melodious magnificence.”
DIPAC TO PRESENT FAMED ‘TOSCA’ OPERA
Love, lust, betrayal and murder! On May 5 at the Charleston Gaillard Center, the Daniel Island Performing Arts Center in association with the City of Charleston and Charleston Symphony Orchestra (CSO) will present Puccini’s heart-pounding thriller “Tosca,” one of the world’s most popular and frequently performed operas. The gala benefit performance will serve to support area arts organizations including the Daniel Island Performing Arts Center, its contributing organizations and the CSO.
Heading a star-studded cast of principal artists that have performed their respective roles on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera is internationally acclaimed soprano Elizabeth Blancke-Biggs, who came to renown in the title role of Floria Tosca with an international broadcast from the stage of the Metropolitan Opera for Sirius Satellite Radio. Baritone Mark Delevan bows as the villainous Baron Scarpia, a role he has made a touchstone performing with major opera companies around the world including the Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Francisco Opera and a national PBS telecast of Live from Lincoln Center.
For ticket information, visit the Daniel Island Performing Arts Center website at www.danielislandpac.com.
JASON MRAZ TO PERFORM AT VOLVO CAR STADIUM
Multiple grammy® award-winning singer-songwriter Jason Mraz is bringing his “Good Vibes” North American summer tour to Daniel Island on August 15. He will be joined by special guest Brett Dennen for the performance at Volvo Car Stadium.
Mraz recently celebrated the 15th anniversary of his RIAA platinum certified major label debut album, “Waiting For My Rocket To Come.” Tickets for Mraz’s Charleston show are on sale now and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or charged-by-phone at (800) 745-3000. For complete details, and ticket information, visit jasonmraz.com/tour.