Showtime: Opera from the community

For the first time, the Israeli Opera will put on, at its home base at the Performing Arts Center in Tel Aviv, the results of a cross-sector synergy with communities from Tirat Carmel and Netivot.

By BARRY DAVIS
Israeli Opera 521 (photo credit: Courtesy)
Israeli Opera 521
(photo credit: Courtesy)
Opera from the community
The Israeli Opera has been bringing its artistic wares to the man and woman in the street for some time through co-productions with communities around the country. Up until now, all these performances have taken place in different locations.
On July 28, for the first time, the opera will put on, at its home base at the Performing Arts Center in Tel Aviv, the results of a cross-sector synergy with communities from Tirat Carmel and Netivot.
The opera in question is Rossini’s La Cenerentola (Cinderella) and involves hundreds of residents of both communities who will perform as singers, dancers, instrumentalists and actors alongside seven soloists from the Israeli Opera.
The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets cost NIS 25 each.
All proceeds will go to funding the Israeli Opera’s community activities.
Tickets and more information: (03) 692-7777 and www.israel-opera.co.il
Herzliya’s water music
Each Tuesday during the summer vacation, residents of Herzliya and environs can get into some waterside musical vibes at the local international music festival at the Herzliya Marina.
The series offers predominantly ethnic musical fare, with this Tuesday’s Voices from the Caribbean Islands high-energy concert featuring Cuban and other Latin music, including salsa songs and numbers made famous by the Buena Vista Social Club gang around 10 years ago.
The following week’s concert will draw on ballads and airs from the Emerald Isle, with the Irish Charm program presented by Alex Reznikowitz and his Barrios band. Added visual entertainment will be provided by Yair Verdiger and the Tricotta Irish dance ensemble.
Other slots in the series include a concert of Russian folk songs (August 2), a program of Beatles songs (August 16) and the Brazil Is Here music and dance show on August 30.
More information: www.herzliya.muni.il
Senior citizens show off
Senior citizens in Ra’anana are showing off the results of their artistic endeavor over the past year at an exhibition at the municipal Music and Arts Center on Rehov Hapalmah. The show runs until July 27.
The paintings include works produced by members of the Ra’anana Municipality’s Pensioners Club, which has around 2,500 members. They feature a wide range of materials such as watercolors, oil-based paints, acrylic and charcoal, and various styles from realistic to abstract.
The exhibition was opened on July 7 in the presence of Mayor Nahum Hofree and Deputy Mayor Ronit Weintraub, who is also responsible for the municipality’s Youth Culture and Leisure Department.
More information: www.raanana.muni.il
Opera in Wonderland
Next month, as part of the Israeli Opera’s annual summer program, the Tel Aviv Opera House will offer young children and their families an opportunity to get into the operatic side of Lewis Carroll’s iconic Alice in Wonderland.
The performances will take place on August 2-4 at 5 p.m. A 10-member vocal cast will be accompanied by a pianist and a section of the Ra’anana Symphonette.
The hour-long show will be followed by a Talk Back Opera encounter between members of the audience and some of the performers. Patrons can ask questions about the story, the machinations of the production, and behind-the-scenes events.
Tickets range from NIS 75 to NIS 100, down from last year’s prices of NIS 130 to NIS 180.
Tickets and more information: (03) 692-7777 and www.israel-opera.co.il
Nigeria comes to Havana
Nigerian-born, Sierra Leone-raised vocalist-percussionist Adesose Wallace will bring some of his colorful West African vibes to this part of the world when he performs at the Havana Music Club at Derech Hashalom 5 in Tel Aviv on July 27 (10 p.m.).
Wallace, who first appeared in Israel in 2009, came to public notice in the early 1970s with the Nigeria-based Heartbeats band. Later, he worked with legendary South African musicians jazz trumpeter High Masakela and Grammy Award-winning vocalist and civil rights activist Miriam Makeba.
The July 27 show program also includes spots by DJ Idan K, with dance and electronic music multi-instrumentalist Haim Laroz guesting with Wallace later in the evening. World music percussionist Dudu Balilty and his seven-member band will accompany Wallace.
Tickets: http://misterticket.co.il