OPERA RESPONSE: ROMEO & JULIETTE

Tonight I had the pleasure of seeing Opera San Jose's beautiful production of ROMEO & JULIETTE. It has been years since I have been to an opera and the fact that my best friend Heather was making her professional opera debut made this one something I could not resist. I was so impressed by the company. To start they perform at the most beautiful theatre I have ever seen - The California. The place is simply gorgeous. The costumes were great and the the sets were phenomenal. I found myself knowing one of Juliette's arias - "Je veux vivre dan le reve" otherwise known as Juliette's Waltz. Gounod's music was haunting & beautiful.

The chorus was great and so was my beloved Heather who kept telling me that I wouldn't even see her in the chorus but in fact I DID see her. I told her that I don't look at shows like the general public. My eye is constantly perusing the stage. She was great!! So I don't ever want to hear anyone that's in the chorus of anything say that they won't be seen - 'cause honey I'LL see you. =+)

My friend Heather (to me at least) is an amazing talent and I know that soon I will not be seeing her in the chorus but I will see her playing a role and finally realizing her dream of being a professional opera performer. She is someone I have such love & respect for, especially when it comes to her art because to me she has always been an inspiration.

The principals were all fine (kudos to Daniel Cilli as Mercutio) and so was Isaac Hurtado who played Romeo (I thought he was great but I felt he really didn't really connect with Juliette.) Talise Trevigne (pictured right) was simply glorious as Juliette - she had a great voice and knew what to do with it and her acting was superb. It was a joy to see her from the third row. And kudos to the company for having an inter-racial couple - hot! (There are two casts alternating and I saw cast "B" in case you wanna check it out)

I strongly recommend this production - it is top notch in every way. And a special congratulations to my pal Heather: Sweetie this is JUST the beginning. I am so proud of YOU!!

=+)

M.