This concert is postponed until June 2021. Exact date to be announced.

Bel Canto

A Novel by Ann Patchett, 2001

“…when she came to the highest notes it seemed that all they had been given in their lives and all they had lost came together and made a weight that was almost impossible to bear.”

Somewhere in South America, at the home of the country’s vice president, a lavish birthday party is being held in honor of a powerful businessman. With opera’s most revered soprano mesmerizing the international guests, it is a perfect evening – until a band of terrorists takes the entire party hostage. As days stretch into weeks and weeks into months, and joined by no common language except music, the hostages and their captors forge unexpected bonds, becoming compatriots, friends, and lovers.

Inspired by Bel Canto, a novel by Ann Patchett, this Musical Interlude includes narration by PCM Board Member Jane Kaczmarek, paired with performances recorded by PCM faculty of vocal repertoire mentioned in Bel Canto and instrumental repertoire inspired by passages from the book.

Program
Dvořák: “Song to the Moon”, from Rusalka
Schubert: Ave Maria
Puccini: “O mio babbino caro”, from Gianni Schicchi
Bizet: “Habanera”, from Carmen
Ginastera: Argentinian Dance No. 2
Ginastera: Malambo
Pärt: Spiegel im Spiegel
Liszt: Liebestraum
Catalani: “Ebben? Ne andrò lontana”, from La Wally

Complementary programs include a Book Discussion on Tuesday, June 15 at 4 p.m. and “In the Green Room”, a post-premiere meet and greet, on Sunday, June 20, at 5 p.m. Both events will be held on Zoom. For more information, contact Wendy Vazquez at wvazquez@pasadenaconservatory.org or 626-683-3355 ext. 109.

Bel Canto may be ordered through Vroman’s Bookstore.