At first glance, pairing Ruggiero Leoncavallo's "I Pagliacci" and Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana" would seem a bit incongruous. What, after all, do these two vastly different pieces have in common?
Yet, this odd coupling of musical works will be Utah Opera's final offering for the season.
The idea of presenting both together didn't originate with Utah Opera. It was the brainchild of Christopher Mattaliano, of Portland Opera, who, for his conceptualization updated "I Pagliacci" to 1930s Italy, commissioned the Portland-based dance company BodyVox to choreograph and dance "Carmina Burana."
Portland Opera premiered this version in 1997 to huge popular and critical success. Subsequent performances — at Opera Pacific, Opera Omaha, Minnesota Opera and a revival at Portland Opera in 2000 — have proven the viability of this combination. And everyone connected with Portland Opera's production agrees that Salt Lake audiences are in for a tantalizing and entertaining evening.
"I love this pairing," said Robin Follman, who'll be singing the role of Nedda in "I Pagliacci" and the soprano solo in "Carmina Burana." "Chris had a vision in taking these two isolated works and connecting them."
The link between both works, however, isn't quite as tenuous as it appears. There is a thread of physicality running through both "I Pagliacci" and "Carmina Burana." The basic theme of Leoncavallo's opera is Nedda's infidelity and how it drives her husband, Canio, insane to the point that he finally kills her and her lover, Silvio. Along the same line, the texts that Orff sets to music are medieval lyrics that all have a common denominator of love, lust and sensuality.
" 'I Pagliacci' is passionate, fiery and true to life," Follman said, "and 'Carmina Burana' is more spiritual and intellectual. But both deal with fulfillment and love."
"There is also the common thread of fate in both works," said Jeffrey Buchman, who will sing Silvio and the baritone solo in "Carmina Burana."
According to stage director Roy Rallo, who assisted in the original production in Portland, "these two pieces are realistic. This pairing is very clear as to what they are about. 'I Pagliacci' isn't rustic and 'Carmina Burana' isn't pretty. It's about sexual tension, violence and raw emotions."
Buchman added that, "it's about man and all his faults and dark desires."
Even though he considers himself a purist when it comes to opera, tenor Tonio di Paolo, who'll be singing the role of Canio, said that this version has a lot of merit. "This will be the third time I'm singing this production, and it works really well," especially the transition between the pieces.
"After intermission, 'Carmina Burana' starts with the last scene of 'I Pagliacci,' " di Paolo said. "The dancers resurrect Silvio and Nedda, but to where? To another level of consciousness?"
Rallo said that "I Pagliacci" and "Carmina Burana" are presented individually and that the link between the two isn't exaggerated. "The connection is made, but it's not overstated. And the segue from the one piece to the next gives you something to think about. It's pretty effective."
Utah Opera's production will be under the baton of Cal Stewart Kellogg. This will be the first time that Kellogg has conducted this particular combination, and he's looking forward to it. "Dramatically, both are powerful," he said.
He added that he's worked with di Paolo many times in the past, as well as with baritone Timothy Noble, who sings Tonio. "We're a close-knit team when performing."
In this production, Daniel Blake sings the role of Beppe and will be the tenor soloist in "Carmina Burana."
Co-choreographers Jamey Hampton and Ashley Roland of BodyVox will be the featured dancers in "Carmina Burana."
The Utah Opera Chorus and members of the International Children's Choir will also be perform in this production.
"I Pagliacci" will be sung in Italian and "Carmina Burana" in Latin and Middle High German; both works will be presented with English supertitles.
Performances are Saturday, May 18; Monday, May 20; Wednesday, May 22; and Friday, May 24, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, May 26, at 2 p.m. in the Capitol Theatre.
Tickets are priced from $12-$57 and can be purchased by calling ArtTix at 355-ARTS or 1-888-451-ARTS or in person at the ArtTix outlets in the Capitol Theatre, Abravanel Hall and Kingsbury Hall. They can also be obtained online at www.arttix.org.
Utah Opera's principal coach/accompanist Tom Getty will present a 30-minute preview of both works on the main floor of the Capitol Theatre beginning one hour prior to each performance.
On Thursday, May 16, from 12:15 to 1 p.m., in the Capitol Theatre, Christopher Mattaliano, Cal Stewart Kellogg, Jamey Hampton and lighting designer Paul Palazzo will discuss their approach to "I Pagliacci" and "Carmina Burana." There is no charge, and everyone is invited to bring a sack lunch.
E-mail: ereichel@desnews.com