Singing Society to Perform Handel Comic Opera in Pleasantville
If you believe all opera is serious and tragic, Dominique Hellsten would like you to reconsider.
Hellsten’s Singing Society, which she created in 2010, will be performing G F Handel’s romantic comic opera “Xerxes” directed by Hellsten on Aug. 13 and 18 in Pleasantville.
The Society is an outgrowth of Hellsten’s work as a singer and singing teacher. The group’s performers come from throughout the local area, including Chappaqua and MountKisco. Many of her students perform with the Society.
Hellsten, who resides in Irvington, said she wants the Society to make opera more accessible to the public. “Xerxes” will be sung in an English translation and be a shorter various than Handel’s original production, Hellsten said. The public response to the Society’s operas has been very positive, she said.
“For lots of people who don’t go to opera, this is a way in,” Hellsten, who will be performing herself, said.
The opera will be updated with one character described by the Society as “a lover of all things ice cream” and another character as “a lover of the Times crossword puzzle.”
The group consists of performers of varying ages and singing experience, Hellsten said.
Aside from presenting their annual operas, the Society also performs Christmas and holiday concerts, Hellsten noted.
“Xerxes” will be performed on Aug. 13 at 8 p.m. and 18 at 4 p.m. at Arc Stages, 147 Wheeler Ave. in Pleasantville. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $20 and only cash and checks will be accepted. Tickets can be reserved by sending an e-mail to HSS@me.com.
