Here’s a shout out for the Orcas Center wizards who brought the Metropolitan Opera (Encore now, Live later) to our island.
The wizards are: the dynamic new director of the Center, Kara O’Toole; Artha Kass; Deborah Sparks; Jeffrey Ludwig; Annie Moss Moore; and Jake Perrine — the volunteer hero who tackled the special sound system, which is incredible. The picture and the sound at the Orcas Center are much, much better than can be found in a huge, Seattle multiplex.
I want to add for those who might have “fear of opera” that the English translations of the dialogue and songs are easily read from the screen and don’t interfere with the visuals. And the visuals are superb — the camera work is unobtrusive and intimate. You are not separated from the action by the frame of a stage.
And, last, but not least, today’s opera singers are often knockouts. (Anna Netrebko is just one of a number of gorgeous divas. And, there is dark, handsome Juan de Flores.)
Great music, striking singers, gripping stories and we’ve got it all here. Thanks, Orcas Center wizards.
Terrel Kaplan
Eastsound
I would like to add my thanks to the Orcas Island community for stpping up and making this possible. We had wonderful donors who contributed and the Board of Trustees is very excited that we could be part of this effort. I look forward to seeing you all at the opera.
Eska Wilson, President, Board of Trustees