Rare opera to be transmitted from The Met

Published 9:40 am Thursday, January 14, 2016

Diana Damrau plays the part of Leila in Bizet’s “Les Pêcheurs de Perles.” Photo by Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera

Diana Damrau plays the part of Leila in Bizet’s “Les Pêcheurs de Perles.” Photo by Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera

A rare opera not performed at the Metropolitan Opera since 1916 will be transmitted live in high definition on Saturday to the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center in Albert Lea.

The new production of composer Georges Bizet “Les Pêcheurs de Perles,” known in English as “The Pearl Fishers,” tells the story of a beautiful Hindu priestess pursued by rival pearl divers competing for her hand.

According to a press release, the opera explores the timeless themes of pure love, betrayal and vengeance in a production that creates an undersea world on the stage.

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“The Pearl Fishers” is sung in French with English subtitles and runs approximately two hours and 30 minutes with one intermission.

Tickets are available at the Albert Lea Community Theatre box office or online. Tickets are $20 for adults and $12 for students. Several free student tickets are available by showing a student ID.

A five-opera flex ticket is available for $90 and can be used in any combination of five operas.

A brief discussion about the opera will be in the theater at 11:30 a.m. prior to the start at 11:55 a.m. Information about the opera and singers will be given.

Here’s a roundup of other events taking place this weekend:

 

Friday

• The U10 and U12 girls’ hockey tournament will begin at City Arena, 701 Lake Chapeau Drive.

• A fish fry will be from 5 to 7 p.m. in Marion Hall at St. Theodore Catholic Church. Menu includes fish, shrimp, baked or mashed potatoes, cole slaw, rolls, beverage and a build-your-own sundae bar. Cost is $10 for adults and $6 for children 5 to 10. Children 4 and under are free.

• The second weekend of the Geneva Cancer Auction will begin at 7 p.m. at Geneva Bar & Grill.

• Albert Lea Parks and Recreation will host Outdoor Rock on Ice from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Hayek Park warming house. People should bring their own skates. There will be music, games and hot chocolate. The event is free.

 

Saturday

• The U10 and U12 girls’ hockey tournament will continue at City Arena, 701 Lake Chapeau Drive.

• A Fit for Kids event for children 5 and under and their parents will take place from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Northbridge Mall. Get muscles working and chase away the winter ho-hums with this fun parent-child activity. Each week brings a new theme: Parachute play, an obstacle course, ball play and yoga adventures.

There is no fee, but registration is required at 507-379-4838 or www.albertleacommunityed.org.

• The second weekend of the Geneva Cancer Auction will continue at 2 p.m. at Geneva Bar & Grill.

• A benefit for Albert Lean Doug Johnson will go from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Fairlane Building at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds. Johnson, the Albert Lea building inspector and volunteer for the Alden Fire Department, is suffering from brain cancer.

Cost is $8 per pork sandwich meal. There will be a bake sale, raffle and auction. T-shirts will be sold for $20.

 

Sunday

• The U10 and U12 girls’ hockey tournament will continue at City Arena, 701 Lake Chapeau Drive.

• Albert Lea Assembly of God Church will have a soup lunch to raise funds for the church’s 2016 Dominican Republic mission trip from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church, 1540 South Shore Drive. Menu includes Fast Eddie’s firehouse chili, chicken wild rice soup, bacon corn chowder and pulled pork and green bell pepper chowder, along with pie, cornbread, milk and coffee.

Cost is $7 for adults and $4 for children.

• The open house for the Albert Lea Art Center’s All-Member Show will be from 1 to 3 p.m. at 226 W. Clark St. The show runs through Feb. 6.