The 2015-16 opera season at the Creston Valley Public Library begins on Oct. 31 with a viewing of the Metropolitan Opera production of Verdi’s Stiffelio.
Placido Domingo sings the title role of the priest, and Sharon Sweet performs as his wife, Lina. The second priest is played by Paul Plishka.
Lina’s father is performed by Vladimir Chernov and Peter Riberi sings the nobleman’s role. The nobleman could be seen as the bad fellow in the story, while Lina is somewhat morally lax.
The opera premiered in Austria in 1850 and was the source of much disapproval by censors. It was rewritten six years later but lacked excitement and the reception was lukewarm.
In 1968 a copyist’s score was located in Naples and this stimulated renewed interest. The big find was in 1992 when Verdi’s original score was discovered in the possession of his heirs. Complete with 60 pages of sketches, this was the beginning of the Metropolitan production.
Stiffelio has been warmly praised by critics and enthusiastically received by the public. The production on the DVD to be watched at the library was a celebration of Placido Domingo’s 25th year with the Metropolitan Opera.
Jasmine Lothien will introduce the opera at 7 p.m.
—BY JULIE EWASHEN
