Solo Opera’s ‘The Three Feathers’ highlights the power of women at the Lesher Center
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (June 29, 2023) — Solo Opera will produce its largest, most ambitious opera to date, in The Three Feathers. The production features music by award winning composer, Lori Laitman and libretto by former CA poet laureate, Dana Gioia.
This family friendly 85-minute show will be sung in English and run Sept. 8 and 10, 2023 at the Lesher Center for the Arts in the 785 seat Hofmann Theater.
A fairly new opera, written in 2013 and premiering in 2014 at Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech, The Three Feathers has seen productions from the East Coast to Singapore. And now with Solo Opera’s production, the full opera is finally coming to premiere on the West Coast.
Based on a fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm, the opera follows Princess Dora, not as a damsel in distress, but as a heroine. A magic feather leads the shy, self-doubting princess to an enchanted Underworld ruled by a giant Frog King. Here, she summons her courage and compassion to face a series of mysterious and comic adventures that change her life. Completing her quest, she saves her father’s kingdom from the plots of her selfish sisters and earns her right to the crown.
According to Solo Opera Executive Director, Sylvia Amorino, “We chose this opera, not only for its beautiful music and charming libretto, but for the important messages it shares about the power of women, believing in yourself, and finding real treasure in life. It is our hope that our audiences will leave with a gained understanding of these truths. The opera invites us to be more inclusive, open our hearts and minds, and work to connect with those who are different than us.”
Cast
The opera stars Eugene Brancoveanu as “The King”, Shawnette Sulker as “Princess Dora”, and Kirk Eichelberger as the “Frog King”. A strong supporting cast features Chelsea Hollow as “Gilda”, Hope Nelson as “Tilda”, Samuel Faustine as the “Frog Prince”, Andrew Fellows as the “Captain”, Caleb Alexander as the “Baron”, and Jonathan Spencer as the “Chamberlain”.
The production features the prestigious San Francisco Girls Chorus (Members of San Francisco Girls Chorus School- Valérie Sainte-Agathe, Artistic Director) performing the children’s chorus of frogs, rats, and bats in the Underworld. A chorus of 8 adult soloists will also cover lead roles. A 20-piece orchestra will be led by maestro Alexander Katsman and librettist/ former CA poet laureate, Dana Gioia, will be the lecturer.
The show runs at the Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek- Sept. 8, 2023- 8:00pm and Sept. 10, 2023- 2:00pm. You can purchase tickets at the Lesher Theater Box Office (925) 943-7469 or LesherArtsCenter.org.