LW Opera Club

All are invited to join the LW Opera Club at a showing of the comic opera “Le Comte Ory” on Tuesday, June 18, at 1:30 p.m. in the Learning Center of Clubhouse 3.

This infrequently produced opera by Gioachino Rossini highlights a tale that is witty, watchable and highly entertaining. A club member will introduce this production set in the medieval year 1200, featuring three contemporary leading singers: Juan Diego Flores, Diana Damrau and Joyce DiDonato.

Act 1 introduces the beautiful Countess Adele, who has been forsaken by her protective brother Count Formoutiers, who left for battle in the Crusades. In his absence, the young and romantic Count Ory disguises himself as a hermit/holy man outside the castle gates to pursue Countess Adele. When he learns of Adele’s melancholy, he suggests love as a remedy to appease it. However, the hermit is unmasked—to everyone’s horror—by his own tutor, while the Count’s page-boy, Isolier, was clearly smitten by the Countess’ obvious beauty.

Act 2 finds a storm raging over the castle with a contingent of pilgrim women (who are in fact Count Ory and his retinue clothed as nuns) seeking asylum. When admitted to the castle, Ory’s friend Raimbaud discovers the castle’s wine cellar and leads the entourage in getting fully drunk. However, the page Isolier now decides to play his own joke on Count Ory. He lowers the lights in Countess Adele’s bedroom to mask its inhabitant, and as Count Ory advances to proclaim his love to an imposter, loud trumpets announce the return of the Crusaders and Count Ory is forced to escape.

The production is in French with English subtitles. People are encouraged to wear masks indoors. No dues or fees are required. For more information contact Margaret Gillon at MargaretGi@yahoo.com or call 562-370-3844.