(story to be published in tomorrow’s issue, March 13)
In a time when investments in culture are next to extinct, last December, a miracle occurred. Two passionate of the lyrical type, Adriana Le Pesant and Paul Basacopol decided to lay the basis of the first private company that will organise lyrical recitals, ballet and opera shows. That is how L.B. Productions was born. The company proposes new dramatic concepts that will give new dimensions to Romanian classical music and will supposedly arise the interest of the audience, discouraged by the monotonous shows performed so far. The best soloist of the Romanian Opera has also joined this initiative. For the first “Opera Fantasy” project, the reputed French director Armand Gerard was called. Three of the best soloists of the Romanian Opera, the soprano Mihaela Elena Stanciu, tenor Robert Nagy and tenor Iordache Basilic will perform on this first production of the new company. The project was well received by actor Marcel Iures, director of the Act” Theatre and thus, the “Opera Fantasy” will be born on the stage of the small theatre on Calea Victoriei. “We needed a change,” Gerard Le Pesant, one of the supporters of this project stated. “At the Romanian Opera, nothing new happens and the shows are played are obsolete. We have to attract the audience through modernism, while vulgarity must disappear from the lyrical shows,” he added. “Opera Fantasy” is more than a simple concert. The most famous pieces from Mozart, Rossini, Donizzetti or Bizet were set in a simple and funny story that will avoid the monotony of regular recitals. The pieces were taken out of their original context and rearranged in an impressionist dimension of another story. In addition to soloists Mihaela Elena Stanciu, Robert Nagy and Iordache Basilic, choreographer Eduard Gabia and pianist Mihaela Valcea were invited to perform. “Opera Fantasy” will feature the renowned “La donna e mobile” (from Verdi’s “Rigoletto”), “La si darem la mano” (“Don Giovanni” by Mozart), “Giunse alfin il momento” (“Figaro’s Wedding,” Mozart) and “Una furtiva lacrima” (from “Love Potion”, by Donizetti). Upon completion of this original show, L.B. Productions will venture into other projects just as bold: a dance show on Beethoven’s music, a night dedicated to composer Carmen-Petra Basacopol and a baroque music show. “Unfortunately,” Gerard Le Pesant maintains, “we are forced to limit ourselves to classical shows, as the copyright for a contemporary opera is a tremendous task, even for a state institution in Romania. We hope we will get support from several interested companies.” “Opera Fantasy” will open on April 14, at the “Act” Theatre. The motto of those who made this project possible is “Let’s put the dreams on stage.”