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Love and tragedy cross paths for Suor Angelica at a convent where she was sent to atone for her sins.
Her story is told in the namesake opera by Giacomo Puccini, which Livermore Valley Opera is set to present during the next two weekends to kick off its 35th season.
Unique to this female-only production is an often omitted aria. Soprano Ann Toomey, cast as title role Suor Angelica, restored the piece with late artistic director Erie Mills, who laid out LVO’s season prior to her death this past summer.
LVO’s 35th season will be the first full season without Mills. The production is dedicated to Mills.
“In many ways, it’s like a big part of the heart is missing, but she is also a huge part in driving the art-making,” Toomey said. “When it’s an opera of all females … it’s a beautiful opera to honor her.”
As the story goes, Suor Angelica comes from a noble family, but was ousted to live the life of a nun after bearing a child out of wedlock.
Upon discovering the death of her child, Suor Angelica drinks a self-made poison in what Toomey described as an attempt to join her son in heaven.
“It is told through this incredible music — very stunningly, achingly beautiful music,” Toomey said.
“Nothing that happens in the opera is just by mistake or fluff in any way,” she added. “It’s a quick evening … but it packs a real punch in more ways than one.”
Toomey said she approaches her portrayal of Suor Angelica with humanity. The young woman has been through trauma, given her family’s decision to exile her and complications with nobility.
“But she’s a very kind and gentle spirit,” Toomey said.
Through her experiences, Suor Angelica’s relationship with religion changes, Toomey added.
In developing Suor Angelica’s character, Toomey and Mills decided to restore an often omitted aria in which Suor Angelica sings to the flowers she uses to concoct a poisonous potion.
“It’s a whole new facet,” she said. “It’s also musically very interesting to the opera.”
“Suor Angelica” is part three in a trio of productions by Puccini.
“It is truly such a strong piece. It really does stand alone,” she said.
“Suor Angelica” is sung in Italian with English supertitles.
The production features contralto Sara Couden as La Principessa (The Princess), Saori DeBruyn as Suor Genovieffa (Sister Genovieffa), Alexandra Jerinic as La Badessa (The Abbess), Mariya Kaganskaya as La Suora Zelatrice (The Monitor), Leandra Ramm as La Maestra delle Novizie (Mistress of the Novices), Valérie Filloux as La Suora Infermiera (The Nursing Sister) and Phoebe Chee as Suor Dolcina (Sister Dolcina).
The creative and music team includes stage director Annalisa Winberg, music director and conductor Alexander Katsman and chorus director and assistant conductor Bruce Olstad.
Performances of “Suor Angelica” are scheduled for this weekend and next (Oct. 3-4 and Oct. 10-11) at the Bankhead Theater.
On the production’s opening night, a dinner and wine event will be held at Uncle Yu’s at the Vineyard in Livermore, beginning at 4 p.m. Also on opening night, a Q&A is scheduled after the show with its artistic team and soloists.
Tickets to the production and opening night dinner are available at the Livermore Valley Arts website at livermorearts.org.
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