Sunday, February 15, 1 p.m.., Orcas Center
— from Artha Kass —
On the heels of her triumphant Met performances in Eugene Onegin, soprano Anna Netrebko takes on another Tchaikovsky heroine in the first opera of an intriguing double bill, consisting of an enchanting fairy tale Iolanta, followed by Bela Bartok’s erotic psychological thriller Duke Bluebeard’s Castle. Experience these grippingly staged gems streaming live to Orcas Center on Sunday, February 15 at 1:00 pm.
In Iolanta, Netrebko stars as the beautiful blind girl who experiences love for the first time, while in Duke Bluebeard’s Castle Nadja Michael is the unwitting victim of the diabolical Bluebeard, played by Mikhail Petrenko. Both operas are directed by Mariusz Trelinski, who was inspired by classic noir films of the 1940s. Iolanta also stars Met favorite, the brilliant Piotr Beczala (Don Giovanni).
“Anna Netrebko is radiant as Iolanta… As thrilling and chilling as any fairy tale or horror story.” —The Huffington Post
“Anna Netrebko shows what made her a star. And her duet with Piotr Beczala (Don Giovanni), a thrilling performer, is rousing as it is brilliant.” —NY Daily News
“Tchaikovsky’s music for Iolanta is wistful, tremulous and full of yearning, qualities Ms. Netrebko communicates through her bittersweet singing. “ —The New York Times
“A poetic realm infused with feeling, menace, and magic.” —Bloomberg
Tickets for The Met: Live in HD’s Iolanta/Duke Bluebeard’s Castle are $18, $13 for students, $2 off for Orcas Center members, and may be purchased at www.orcascenter.org or by calling 376-2281 ext. 1 or visiting the Orcas Center Box Office open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from noon – 4 pm. For more information about Orcas Center’s 2015 season visit www.orcascenter.org.
