The SunBreak » peter kazaras

Daughter of the Regiment: A Lighthearted Opera That’s a Total Romp

Philippa Kiraly — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 18:07:22 +0000

Girl meets boy. Instant attraction. Problems include disapproval from family, unforeseen complications, unhappiness of lovers. It’s a classic theater format that hasn’t changed in centuries, and the frothy romp that is Donizetti’s opera The Daughter of the Regiment is no exception. Daughter is evidence that enjoyment of absurd humor hasn’t changed in 173 years. Seattle … Continue reading →

A Comedienne on the Opera Stage: Joyce Castle

Philippa Kiraly — Thu, 17 Oct 2013 20:00:34 +0000

Mezzo-soprano Joyce Castle’s long career has, so far, spanned 43 years, and the opera star is not slowing down any time soon. She is here this month to sing the Marquise in Donizetti’s La Fille du Regiment, (The Daughter of the Regiment) presented by Seattle Opera October 19-November 2. It’s a lighthearted romp with the … Continue reading →

Pinning Down Seattle Opera’s Madama Butterfly with Director Peter Kazaras and Author Angela Davis-Gardner

Margaret Higginson — Sat, 05 May 2012 22:15:53 +0000

Peter Kazaras is both a singer--he's a tenor--and a director, both the Director of Opera at UCLA and the Artistic Director of Seattle Opera's Young Artist Program. Angela Davis-Gardner is the author of four books, and is quite knowledgeable about Japan, having taught there at the beginning of her own career. Butterfly's Child is her second book set in Japan, and, as you may have surmised, is a continuation of the opera.

Young Artists Don Pasquale is a Walk on the Funny Side of the Street

Philippa Kiraly — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 20:01:26 +0000

Artistic director Peter Kazaras is a master of detail who can flesh out the slimmest of stories and make it fun to watch as well as hear. Essentially Don Pasquale is the story of the old man who thinks he’s wed young woman: She leads him a merry dance until he is delighted to be rid of her, when his long-suffering nephew (who is the girl’s real love) gets her instead.

Seattle Opera’s Young Artists Sing a “Dolce Vita” Don Pasquale

Philippa Kiraly — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 17:57:31 +0000

“Anglo-Saxon fairy tales end with marriage and living happily ever after. Italian comedy begins there, and the woman outfoxes the man every step of the way.” So says Peter Kazaras, stage director for Seattle Opera Young Artists Program (YAP) production of Donizetti’s comedy Don Pasquale, which opens Saturday for two weekends at the University of Washington’s Meany Theater.

A Riveting Werther from Seattle Opera’s Young Artists

Philippa Kiraly — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 18:32:36 +0000

on to a stellar career, Lawrence Brownlee. Not everyone is suited to French opera, but Stenson’s voice is ideal for this role. It is strong from top to bottom, perfectly pitched, no breaks between registers--in short a beautifully trained lyric tenor voice with gorgeous timbre. He is also able to inhabit the role and even elicit some sympathy, not easy since this is an unforgiving role to act.