NEW YORK - Opera in the Garden by the ON SITE OPERA (Selected Excerpts)Tonight's performance was another artistic, musical triumph by ON SITE OPERA. The audience experienced enchanting, virtuosic, and well-crafted music-making in a delightful natural setting in New York City. Approbation was well earned by the ensemble's leadership and coterie of gifted performing artists. I shall describe just a few of tonight’s highlights. You must follow ON SITE OPERA to experience their upcoming performances. L-R: Soprano Teresa Castillo and Mezzo Soprano Devony Smith in Opera in the Garden by the ON SITE OPERA. Photo by Edward KliszusSite Specific OperaLikewise, this event was another example of ON SITE OPERA's commitment to continuing its mission as "the country's leading presenter of site-specific operas in non-traditional venues." Essentially, they use the magic of opera to "cultivate a new generation of opera audiences."Attention to DetailMore than that, craft, artistry, and attention to detail were at the forefront. In addition to a fabulous setting, gifted artists, and informed narration, ON SITE OPERA provided a superb digital program book containing stories about tonight's music. Moreover, texts for the music were provided in the original languages of French, Italian, and Czech with English translations. One simply scanned the bar code printed on the provided paper cooling fans to access the program. Sarah Ina Meyers, Narrator, distributing rocks to children to help Hansel and Gretel in Opera in the Garden by the ON SITE OPERA. Photo by Edward KliszusSerene AtmosphereIt was a beautiful evening in the West Side Community Garden for this ON SITE OPERA production of "Opera in the Garden." The audience arrived at the end of a warm summer day in a park of lush greenery and a serene atmosphere. Visitors, including children and adults, sat in a circular scene set in a clearing surrounded by trees and flowers, with twinkling lights and a magical ambiance. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves as birds gently twittered, and the setting sun cast a golden glow.Songbirds Gently GreetedAs songbirds gently greeted adults and children, Executive Director of ON SITE OPERA Piper Gunnarson welcomed the audience and described the charming themes of tonight's musical fare. L-R Mezzo Soprano Devony Smith and Soprano Teresa Castillo singing Evening Hymn from Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel. Photo by Edward KliszusTenderness, Fantasy, and MagicPianist Matthew Lobaugh arrived as narrator Sarah Meyers, adorned with a flower crown and flowing garb, led tonight’s audience sojourn through the production. Myers masterfully and delightfully described each work's storyline, features, and provenance.As the narration and first musical strains were heard, the audience began its inspirational immersion into tales of tenderness, fantasy, and magic. The program featured music and scenes from Claude Bizet's Sirène (mermaid), Engelbert Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel, Cendrillon (Cinderella) by Pauline García Viardot, La Cenerentola by Gioachino Rossino, and Antonín Dvořák's Rusalka. In this intimate setting, the performers appeared around and throughout the audience.Expressive DepthsSoprano Shaina Martinez opened the program with Bizet’s La Sirène. She richly conveyed the work’s lyrical, flowing melodies, evoking the siren's mythical allure. In addition, through musical fluidity and grace, Martinez reflected Bizet's gift for melodic invention and conveyance of emotion through music. As La Siréne, Martinez projected the associated ethereal qualities and expressive depths. She aptly demonstrated her ability to produce clear, bell-like tones, particularly in the upper register, to create an exciting, mesmerizing, and beguiling performance.Timeless TaleAs Myers described Grimm's Fairy Tale, Hansel and Gretel, mezzo-soprano Devony Smith (Hansel), and soprano Teresa Castillo (Gretel) emerged to project their roles in this timeless tale. Lyric Soprano Shaina Martinez performing at Opera in the Garden by the ON SITE OPERA. Photo by Edward KliszusSonic PoetryClearly, the duo possessed the marvelous chemistry essential to the performance. Castillo, like Gretel, brought a sense of fun and mischief by sometimes playfully teasing Hansel. She used her vibrant, vigorous voice to convey the innocence and playfulness of the character, and with movements of confidence and spirit, captured Gretel’s adventurous personality. Furthermore, Castillo’s warm, rich voice depicted Gretel’s protective nature as her voice complemented Devony Smith as Hansel. The duo consequently created a harmonious blend that filled the park with beautiful choral, sonic poetry.Vibrant SpiritCharacterized by Gretel’s curiosity and energy, Castillo moved gracefully through the space, interacting with the environment while conveying the character’s vibrant spirit. Her expressions were open and engaging as she drew the audience into her world.Buoyant and SpiritedHansel's character was more grounded and mischievous. Smith brought a sense of fun and mischief to the performance, sometimes playfully teasing Gretel. Her movements were buoyant and spirited, capturing Hansel's adventurous personality.Pure Musical ElationThe duo's playful banter, affectionate teasing, and harmonious duets highlighted the close bond between Hansel and Gretel. Their voices intertwined beautifully, creating moments of pure musical elation and poetic magic that resonated through the garden.At one point, children from the audience were beckoned to place white stones on the ground with which Hansel and Gretel could find their way home from the forest. The duo’s combined dramatic and musical power was most evident in the mesmerizing and sumptuous Evening Hymn that closed the first act. Enchanting, lovely, delightful!Pastoral BeautyMezzo Soprano Devony Smith returned for a solo performance of Cenerentola (Nacqui all'affanno). Devony brought the character to life with a charming, heartfelt portrayal. Her expressiveness and graceful movements conveyed the character's innocence and inner strength. She elegantly moved while interacting with the natural surroundings of occasional fluttering birds and rustling leaves. Smith artistically embodied Cenerentola's humble yet dignified character as she connected with and reflected the pastoral beauty of the setting. "No longer sad by the fire will I stay sighing alone, no! It was a flash, a dream, a game, the sorrow I endured so long is gone! " L-R: Closing bows with Pianist Matthew Lobaugh, Soprano Teresa Castillo, Soprano Sara Beth Pearson, Lyric Soprano Shaina Martinez and Mezzo Soprano Devony Smith in Opera in the Garden by the ON SITE OPERA. Photo by Edward KliszusEthereal VirtuesAfter the second act of Hansel and Gretel, soprano Sara Beth Pearson finished the evening with a truly informed and nuanced performance of Antonín Dvořák's Rusalka (Song to the Moon). Pearson's interpretation showcased passion, technical mastery, and emotional depth. Her voice filled the air with the haunting beauty of the narrative while delivering each note with precision and heartfelt expression. She elegantly captured the longing and ethereal virtues of the character. The music encompassed, after all, in every phrase, gesture and word, themes of sorrow and hope, passionate yearning, and tragic love. L-R: Soprano Teresa Castillo, Lyric Soprano Shaina Martinez, Soprano Sara Beth Pearson, and Mezzo Soprano Devony Smith. Courtesy osopera.orgOpera in the Garden by the ON SITE OPERAFeaturingShaina Martinez, SopranoTeresa Castillo, SopranoSara Beth Pearson, SopranoDevony Smith, Mezzo SopranoMatthew Lobaugh, PianistSarah Ina Meyers, Narrator, Stage Director and Artistic DirectorPiper Gunnarson, Executive DirectorEmily Barber, Stage Manager60-minute running time L-R: Narrator and Artistic Director Sarah Meyers, PIanist Matthew Lobaugh, Stage Manager Emily Barber, and OSO General Director Piper Gunnarson. Courtesy osopera.orgON SITE OPERA475 Riverside Drive #1373New York, New York 10115347-394-3050For Information, click HEREDonate to On Site Opera, a 501(c)3 charitable organization at this LINK.Readers may also enjoy our reviews of Norm Lewis at 54 Below, Tony Danza, Meg Okura at the Met Museum, Laura Benanti at the Minetta Lane Theater, Brazilian Jazz at Le Bab Ilo in Paris, and Marilyn Maye birthday celebration at 54 Below.https://youtu.be/9m7bGzxLzuo?si=zaL8_mbbRok2_Pws

















