Popera! treats listeners to musical theatre classics from varied eras
“The program was divided, with the first half exclusively Viennese operetta — appropriate as this historically formed the basis for more modern, light musical theatre. The second half was split into operatic vocal pieces, from La Bohème, Madama Butterfly, and Turandot. After midpoint, a segue through The Prayer, by Canadian composer David Foster (who wrote the Calgary 1988 Olympic theme Neighbours of the World). Songs from some of the most popular and familiar works from classic musical theatre, the Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, and Oklahoma, concluded the formal program. However, the applause from the standing ovation was so sustained, that an encore brought Cowtown Opera back onto the stage, to perform Verdi’s Vedi! Le fosche notturne, from Act 2, Scene 1 of Il Trovatore — also known as the Anvil Chorus, the most popular vocal operatic number with the general public.”
– GREGORY M. LANG
