Happenings at Skylark - February 2022

What better time than February to share themes of love and connectedness? Skylark Opera Theatre has shared the love of opera with Twin Cities audiences for 42 years. With the addition of Amahl and the Night Visitors this past December to Skylark Opera Theatre’s list of productions, we have now presented 73 opera and music theater pieces--that’s a lot of love! We thank every one of you for sharing your love of opera with us. We hope to see you at a performance of our upcoming production, Eugene Onegin.

Skylark’s Adaptation of Eugene Onegin—A Labor of Love

Tickets for Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin are on sale NOW at skylark.booktix.com. Gary Briggle brings his creative talents and artistic directing skills to Skylark Opera Theatre in his original adaption, getting to the essence of this very grand opera as an intimate chamber piece revolving around a quartet of four teenagers: the aloof dandy, Onegin; the impressionable country girl, Tatyana; her giddy sister, Olga; and Olga’s fiancé, the poetaster, Lenski.

For Gary, “the psychological details captured in Tchaikovsky’s music, the mood and character, rather than a mechanical plot are where the real drama lies in Eugene Onegin.” The 90 bracing minutes of Skylark’s production will bring you to “the heart of the matter.” It is intended to move you deeply and perhaps change the way you experience this exquisite opera.

Skylark Opera Theatre and The Museum of Russian Art will present Eugene Onegin March 25-27 and April 1-3, 2022 in a perfect pairing of outstanding Minnesota-based performers and a venue that will immerse you in the action. American Sign Language interpretation will be available for the performances on Friday, March 25th and Sunday, April 3rd. Seating for this special production is limited to only 100 patrons per performance, so mark your calendars and order your tickets early.

COVID protocols will be in place for the health and safety of everyone attending. All cast, crew and theater personnel have been fully vaccinated. Adherence to public health precautions will be in place including:

  • Audience members wearing masks at all times in The Museum of Russian Art;

  • Proof of vaccination and a photo identification card required.

Skylark for Seniors Continues to Share Songs of Love

The surge in COVID infections in the Twin Cities led to some postponements of Skylark for Seniors performances, but Skylark Opera’s singers are back. February presentations will bring the theme of love from opera, music theater and Broadway to seniors once again. Seniors love the music and our performers love being in front of an audience. The hour-long concerts scheduled for January and February are sponsored by UCare.

Gary Briggle—Interim Artistic Director for Skylark Opera Theatre

Skylark Opera Theatre is thrilled that Gary Briggle will continue to share his love of opera and his creative talents as our Interim Artistic Director. Gary will serve in the role through December of 2022, leading Skylark’s live-stage opera and music theatre performances.

Skylark Connections

Join members and friends of the Twin Cities Opera Guild on Wednesday, February 16th as the Guild hosts their annual Winter Luncheon and Musical Program at the Edina Country Club. This annual event helps fund the Guild’s mission to support high quality opera and music education for elementary, middle and high school students and the general public. To learn more, visit the Guild’s website.

It’s not too early to register for Opera America’s annual Opera Conference, coming to Minneapolis May 18-21, 2022. The Opera Conference is the largest gathering of opera administrators, artists, trustees and associates in the world and it’s all happening in our own backyard. To view the conference plans and to register to attend go to https://www.operaamerica.org.

Megan Millett