Opera of Zombies, Sorcery and Enchantment at Monrovia's St. Luke Church

The LA-area group, Opera Animata, will present its inaugural performance of an extra-creepy version of Henry Purcell's Dido and Aeneas on Saturday, March 22, 8 p.m., at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 122 S. California Ave., in Monrovia. Free, but a $10 donation is suggested. A reception will follow the performance.

The 1688 Baroque Dido and Aeneas, Purcell's first opera and one of his foremost theatrical works, has always had a hefty helping of sorcery, elves and enchantment. But fearing it might be too mild for modern-day audiences, Opera Animata has added zombies.

The roles of Dido and Aeneas will be sung by Trisha Rivera and Joel Castro. Production director Jenny Ohrstrom will portray Belinda. Other singers include Alyssa Brode, Sarah Reynolds, Kari Burgess, Jennifer White and Steve Nolen. MacKenzie Reed is keyboardist, and LeVanna Atkinson-Williams is Stage Manager.

Source: Press release

 

- Brad Haugaard