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Friday, July 3, 2009

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Opera at the Dundas By THEA RUTHERFORD ~ Guardian National Correspondent ~ thea@nasguard.com: Treemonisha," an opera written by the African American composer Scott Joplin featuring the sounds of ragtime, comes to life on stage at the Dundas for the nation's 36th birthday. Courtesy of Dr. Cleveland Williams, the operatic singer who recently returned home with a passion to give back to society, Treemonisha will unfold during a four-night run at the Dundas from July 6 - 8 and 11. The opening night's proceeds are in aid of the Sir Victor Sassoon Heart Foundation. Written and composed by Joplin in 1910, Treemonisha tells in music and dance the story of a young woman in a village of former slaves who triumphs over ignorance to teach her fellow villagers the importance of education. The opera combines sub-themes of mysticism with its witch doctor characters; love and family relationships with the bond between Treemonisha and her parents Ned and Monisha and even a bit of secrecy in a startling discovery to create a story with as much entertainment as didactic value. Williams, who calls himself the architect of a production he credits his extensive cast for bringing together, says that the opera's themes are universal and, in its focus on education, also tie in with the liberation of Independence. "The opera in itself has a certain story to tell of independence and liberation," he says. "We as a people, being an ex-British colony, under the British, we got our Independence. We were liberated from Great Britain and someone led the country to the state it's in now so that we can celebrate 36 years of Independence." Similarly in the opera, he points out, "Treemonisha, being the heroine of the opera, leads the state of ex slaves to strive for something bigger and better and to educate themselves." The opera's all-Bahamian cast is already a leap forward for those involved. The cast includes a host of local actors and singers, including Candice Bostwick and Nikita Wells Thompson, who will both play Treemonisha and Portia Barnett and Lillian Bastian, who play Monisha. The cast further consists of the National Dance Company of The Bahamas, with pieces choreographed by artistic director Robert Bain, and an orchestra that includes members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band. Williams takes pride in the opportunity to showcase Bahamian talent. "It's a work that lends itself to doing that," he says. "It is a collaborative effort of everybody." Robert Pinder, a singer, actor and Danza Award winner who will play a lead role of "Simon," a witch doctor, is equally excited about what will be his first lead role in an opera. "I am honored of the fact that Dr. Williams, when he came home, I was one of the first singers that he contacted to be a part of this wonderful event," said Pinder. Of the opera itself, he added, "When people hear the opera they think of just classical [music], but actually Treemonisha is a very rhythmic and very live and vibrant opera and it tells a wonderful story ... Scott Joplin's music is phenomenal." If You Go What: Treemonisha, an opera by Scott Joplin Where: The Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts When: July 6 - 8 and 11 at 8 p.m. Cost: $75 opening night tickets, $35 for remaining nights Box office now open at the Dundas. Saturday, June 27, 2009