Singing Society to Perform Handel Comic Opera in Pleasantville
If you believe all opera is serious and tragic, Dominique Hellsten would like you to reconsider.
Hellstenâs Singing Society, which she created in 2010, will be performing G F Handelâs romantic comic opera âXerxesâ directed by Hellsten on Aug. 13 and 18 in Pleasantville.
The Society is an outgrowth of Hellstenâs work as a singer and singing teacher. The groupâs performers come from throughout the local area, including Chappaqua and MountKisco. Many of her students perform with the Society.
Hellsten, who resides in Irvington, said she wants the Society to make opera more accessible to the public. âXerxesâ will be sung in an English translation and be a shorter various than Handelâs original production, Hellsten said. The public response to the Societyâs operas has been very positive, she said.
âFor lots of people who donât go to opera, this is a way in,â Hellsten, who will be performing herself, said.
The opera will be updated with one character described by the Society as âa lover of all things ice creamâ and another character as âa lover of the Times crossword puzzle.â
The group consists of performers of varying ages and singing experience, Hellsten said.
Aside from presenting their annual operas, the Society also performs Christmas and holiday concerts, Hellsten noted.
âXerxesâ will be performed on Aug. 13 at 8 p.m. and 18 at 4 p.m. at Arc Stages, 147 Wheeler Ave. in Pleasantville. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $20 and only cash and checks will be accepted. Tickets can be reserved by sending an e-mail to HSS@me.com.
