JoAnn’s next performance will be in West Bay Opera’s production of Carmen, where she will sing in the chorus. Sarah Barber sings the title role. I have not heard her before, but the chorus is saying great things about her. I have heard Ben Bongers and Jason Detweiler, and am very much looking forward to their portrayals of Don José and Escamillo, respectively.
Opera in a small house like West Bay is a lot different than at the big houses. The performance is more intimate, and the passion really comes across when you aren’t so far removed from the stage. Performances are October 17, 19, 25, 26 at the Lucie Stern Theater in Palo Alto. The Friday and Saturday performances are at 8:00 pm, the Sunday performances are at 2:00 pm.