Musique Ménage 2024
Milton Crotts, conductor
The Blue Ridge Orchestra presented Musique Ménage Opera a la carte with musicians from the BRO and UNC Greensboro’s Opera Theatre
The Blue Ridge Orchestra’s intimate musical salon returned in early March with evening performances at 6:00 pm on Thursday, March 7, at the Governor’s Western Residence, and at 7:00 pm on Friday, March 8, in the Upper School Auditorium at Carolina Day School. Music Ménage featured a chamber ensemble of select orchestra musicians and the return of multi-talented vocalists from the Opera Theatre at UNC Greensboro.
BRO Music Director Milton Crotts and Opera Theatre Director David Holley hosted an evening of elegant opera music including selections from Mozart’s comedic masterpiece The Impresario, “Chi il bel sogno” from Puccini’s La Rondine, and “Morro, ma prima in grazia” from Giuseppe Verdi’s opera about the assassination of Swedish King Gustav III. The program featured iconic songs sung by the title characters of three beloved French operas: Bizet's Carmen sings the defiant and challenging “Habanera”; Massenet's Manon performs her celebratory “Gavotte”; Lakme and her servant girl Mallika sing the hauntingly beautiful “Flower Duet” by Leo Delibes. The emotional tenor aria “La Serenata”, the "Intermezzo" from Cavalleria Rusticana, and the "Meditation" from Thais were among the many other highlights of these intimate concerts.
The Thursday evening salon in the Governor’s graceful mountain retreat was accompanied by wine and delectables. Fortunate attendees had an opportunity to mingle with the gifted performers on both evenings.
The Orchestra is delighted to extend its collaboration with the UNC Greensboro Opera Theatre as part of its ongoing mission to promote connections that enhance the musical experiences of WNC audiences. UNC Greensboro is renowned for its Opera Theatre program – UNCG productions have earned seven first-place awards in the National Opera Association’s annual competition and its graduates perform with celebrated opera companies across the country. Our exclusive performances help make these musical partnerships possible.
Concert Photo Credit (3/7/2024, GWR): Kathy Kmonicek