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The rom-com opera “The Daughter of the Regiment”, performed by Livermore Valley Opera, will hit the stage at Bankhead Theater for the next two weekends.
Recognized as one of composer Gaetano Donizetti’s most loved operas, LVOpera’s four performances kick off the company’s 33rd season. Sung in French with English supertitles, all shows will be accompanied by the Livermore Valley Opera Orchestra, conducted by music director Alexander Katsman.
“Donizetti’s masterpiece is overflowing with charm and humor. (This production) holds a special place in the hearts of opera lovers worldwide. Its endearing story of love and loyalty, coupled with Donizetti’s enchanting score, promises an evening of pure delight,” said Erie Mills, LVOpera artistic director.
Led by stage director Marc Jacobs, the local production tells the story of heroine Marie, who is found on the battlefield and raised by a French regiment. She dodges her family’s wishes in pursuit of the one she loves, Tyrolean peasant Tonio.
“It’s such a heartfelt, hilarious, feminist piece, which is why I first fell in love with it — it’s a perfect opera for seasoned opera goers and first-timers alike, and it’s great for the whole family!” said Véronique Filloux, the soprano artist returning to LVOpera as Marie.
“The Daughter of the Regiment” is considered a bel canto opera, according to Mills.
She explained, “The composers of that period wrote for the voice. In a nutshell, it’s about beautiful music with lovely lines. That doesn’t mean it’s always sad. It means the music meets the moment in the story, and it’s up to the singer to make it their own.”
Filloux is excited to fill those shoes in the lead role of Marie.
Ever since seeing the opera in high school, Filloux had dreamed of playing Marie. She even pursued an education in music because of the show.
“She has a sense of humor, she is funny and fun-loving. She also has a sense of duty,” Mills said of the character Marie. “And she has beautiful music to sing. Some of the tunes are very upbeat, some are poignant. But they are all wonderful.”
But playing Marie also comes with challenges, Filloux said.
“The most difficult part of the show for me is the pacing. Marie is a massive role, and it’s extremely physical — she’s in the army, after all,” Filloux said. “I have spent a lot of time preparing for the role vocally, but I have also devoted a lot of time to the character: her emotional arc, her physicality, and her journey through this opera, during which she almost never leaves the stage.”
Overall though, she said it’s been a really gratifying and exciting process.
Playing her lover Tonio is tenor Chris Mosz, who is making his LVOpera debut. His musicality is rooted in his family, including his father and mother who sang as a coloratura soprano.
Eugene Brancoveanu, Romanian baritone and Tony Award winner, will play as Marie’s foster-father Suplice.
He’s a charismatic crowd-pleaser, according to LVOpera marketing and communications director Leslie Silberman.
Brancoveanu’s history at the company includes his performance at the CELEBRATE concert in fall 2021, his role as Renato in “Masked Ball” in spring 2018 and his directorial role in “The Abduction from the Seraglio” in fall 2018.
Lisa Chavez (left) will play as Marie’s aunt Marquise of Berkenfield. Tony award-winner and Romanian baritone Eugene Brancoveanu (right) will perform as Sulpice, Marie’s foster-father. (Images courtesy Chavez; Brancoveanu; LVOpera)
Marie’s aunt, the Marquise of Berkenfield, will be played by Lisa Chavez, who is also making her LVOpera debut. Other artists in the production include Debra Lambert as the Duchess of Krachenthorp and Gilead Wurman as Hortensius.
“Our cast is a dynamite combination of the best of both worlds. Playful spontaneity and rock solid hitting of marks,” Brancoveanu said. “Not to mention the world class vocal-talents of our leads, my dear colleagues.”
After each performance, attendees will have the chance to meet the artists during a reception in the Bankhead Theater lobby.
In addition to the performances, LVOpera will host a season opening dinner at Uncle Yu’s at the Vineyard in Livermore before the first performance this Saturday (Sept. 28). The event will begin with appetizers at 4 p.m., followed by a four-course dinner where all dishes will be paired with award-winning wines from sponsor Cellar 13 Winery.
The first of four performances will take place on Saturday (Sept. 28) at 7:30 p.m. The following shows will be at 2 p.m. this Sunday (Sept. 29), Oct. 5 and Oct. 6. Performance tickets are available at lvopera.com and include pre-opera talks held one hour before curtain time. Tickets for the opening dinner at Uncle Yu’s at the Vineyard are sold separately and available at livermorearts.org.
