Soprano Mary Letellier, (L) With Dr. Emily Isaacson, Artistic Director of the Portland Bach Experience (R) at the East Bayside Production of “The Fairy Queen.” This Afternoon.
Dr. Emily Isaacson is Just as Accessible for a Photo During the Intermission as She Wants Music to be for All Ages. She is the Founder and Artistic Director for Portland Bach Experience (PBE) Who Produced “The Fairy Queen” Today on Anderson Street, East Bayside, Portland.
Greg Frangouis, a 37-Year Stilt Walker, Prepares for the Parade Led by the Shoestring Theatre.
Maria Belva, Director of Horizon Voices, Following a Concert During an Intermission of “The Fairy Queen” in the Parking Lot of Running With Scissors in East Bayside.
The Seven Wood Nymphs are: (Back Row) Juliet Mazzola, Hannah Haines, Hannah Ranco, Erica Mailet. Front Row: Brooke Sowerby, Rachel Epling, and Veronica Druchniak.
A musical treat for the community came this afternoon when Portland Bach Experiences, (PBE) staged a masterful production of “The Fairy Queen,” an opera for all ages. And all ages where there; there was no shortage of butterflies, bumble bees, princesses and princes landing on the fringes of the Anderson Street parking lot turned stage under the watchful eyes of parents while their uncostumed older counter parts were luxurating in their first concert unencumbered by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. It was a coming out celebration of sorts for many.
“The Fairy Queen” was written by Henry Purcell and first performed in 1692. Purcell adapted it from Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” It’s especially heralded for the music that Purcell wrote which many consider to be his best work with a strong Italian influence.
The seven nymphs who danced in and out of the Purcell opera are all professionals who were hired by Rose Hutchins, owner of BalletBloom.org, her company that hires contemporary dancers for special projects such as the PBE production. She teaches at four different dance studios including the Maine State Ballet.
During an intermission in the opera, attendees moved down the line to the parking lot outside of Running With Scissors. Horizon Voices, conducted by director Maria Belva, gave performances by three different age groups – from the youngest to high school students. Horizon Voices is currently conducting auditions for children who love to sing. The auditions take place at St. Mary’s Church, Falmouth. “Children singing in choirs fosters musical artistry and develops a sense of community,” she said. “A choir brings people together to learn great music as a team. Lasting friendships are forged through a common love of singing,” Belva said. To set up an audition, please go to: mariabelva@gmail.com or call 603-924-2055.
Putting the deluxe topping on the production was the stunning voice of soprano coloratura Mary Letellier. Even with the pandemic requiring a virtual schedule often, her schedule kept her busy – working about 60 hours a week. Ms. Letellier teaches voice and diction in the School of Music at USM, Gorham. She has forty-two students who study with her privately. In addition to that she continues to study with Dr. Dana Lynn Warga Longy at the Boston Conservatory of Music. That is also where she completed her undergraduate and graduate work with Dr. Rebecca Folson.
“Music has the power to heal because it taps into our shared human experiences and emotions – something we desperately need right now,” Dr. Isaacon, the founder and artistic director of Portland Bach Experiences (PBE) has said previously.
Could this be an annual kick off to the summer season? G&S’s The Mikado would be nice.
Portland Bach Experience, (PBE) is a program of CLASSICAL UPRISING, a nonprofit committed to community development, creative expression, inclusivity, lifelong learning and artistic excellence.