This Opera Ain't on the Level

Seattlest thought we might never ever go see another opera again. And we may not. But why should that stop us from keeping you informed about all the operatic goings-on about town? It would be selfish of us!

So, tonight or tomorrow night, go see Mozart’s Il Re Pastore (The Shepard King, natch) at Off-Center Opera at 7:30. It’s being performed at Town Hall, in the downstairs theatre (1119 8th Ave at Seneca), which we think is just kicky. We love Town Hall! Such a great acoustical space – not to mention meeting space, lecture space, theatre space, and nifty architecture.

We have to admit that Off-Center Opera is new to us. We hadn’t heard of it until an acquaintance emailed to give us the low-down. But what’s not to love about an opera company that portrays itself as “Making a spectacle of unjustly overlooked operas, composers, and Northwest musicians”? Nothing, that’s what.

You can read a synopsis of the opera here (or you can just go see it – it’s being performed in Italian with English captions), listen to a few clips of the opera here, and get tickets here.

The opera itself will likely be quite enjoyable. Mozart wrote it when he was just 19, and from what we’ve heard, it’s filled with classic Mozart melodies. Easy to listen to, and impressive, when you know how ridiculously difficult they are to sing. Also, as in others of his operas, women sing some of the men’s roles. Gender-bending: always fun!

Huh. Seattlest may just have to go see this...