Too Many Sopranos

In the middle of dress week, I'd like to announce that I've been having a great time with this opera (Too Many Sopranos) and if you find the idea of the stereotypical opera singer at all funny, you'll definitely enjoy this show.

The story begins in heaven, where a heavenly choir is being put together. Unfortunately, they can only take one soprano at a time, so four different sopranos who are there (a mezzo-soprano, a coloratura soprano, a dramatic soprano, and a soubrette) must audition for the spot. All four fighting for the spot, they all must descend to hell to try to do a self-less act and bring back some tenors and basses, as the heavenly choir doesn't have enough men, due to their sinful pasts. Then more sopranos will be able to be taken into the choir.

Act 2 the sopranos are in hell, and meet four tortured men--Enrico Carouser, an Un-named Bass, Nelson Deadly, a librettist, and Orson, a director. The sopranos are having a hard time doing a self-less act, and a messenger from Heaven "the Sandman" (who's got a bipolar personality) gives them a task to complete. If they do it, all will be well, and they can return to heaven.

So, that's the basic idea, and it's really funny. It's not the stuffy or boring opera experience that may torture some opera goers--so stop on by the MAC this (or next) weekend for this great composition, from our very own Edwin Penhorwood. It's a double bill with Busoni's Arlecchino, which runs an hour, and is on first. I'm on this Saturday and next Friday (Feb 3/9) if you want to see my in my bi-polar glory.