Portland Opera’s “Galileo Galilei” is Clearly Beautiful Glass

André Chiang as Younger Galileo

Portland, March 26th. The Portland Opera is earning high marks for its production of composer Philip Glass’ Galileo Galilei. (Photo Credit, ©Portland Opera/Cory Weaver.) The Newmark Theatre production features up-and-coming voices and is sung in English.

Here’s the story: Can you imagine? What it must have felt like? To believe-to know!-that it was the earth that revolved around the sun and not the other way around! To stand against the prevailing thought of the entire world! All the way back to his childhood as he enjoys an opera written by hisfather about-of all things-the magical story of planetary figures.

Richard Troxell as Older Galileo

We meet the famous astronomer on his deathbed, blind from looking sunward so often, and are guided backwards through his life. Back as the Church strips him of his freedom, back as he kneels to recant his work, back as he is declared a heretic.

Richard Troxell as Older Galileo

Performances continue on:

Apr 5, 2012
Thursday 7:30 pm

Apr 7, 2012
Saturday 7:30 pm

Featuring the Portland Opera Studio Artists

Maria Celeste / Duchess Christina	Lindsay Ohse
Old Galileo	Richard Troxell
Younger Galileo / Salviati	André Chiang
Maria Maddalena / A Scribe	Caitlin Mathes
Cardinal #1 / Oracle #1	John Holiday
Pope Urban VIII / Cardinal Barberini / Simplicio	Nicholas Nelson
Sagredo / Marie de’Medicis / Eos	Anne McKee Reed
Cardinal #2 / Servant / Oracle #2	Matthew Hayward
Cardinal #3 / Priest	José Rubio

Conductor	Anne Manson
Stage Director	Kevin Newbury
Costume Designer	Sue Bonde
Scenic Designer	Curt Enderle
Lighting Designer	Don Crossley

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.