July 11, 2014
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 15
Performing Arts
Book Review
Light and lovely, this romance CTC holds auditions for fall show will break your heart In Florence, she befriends Irishman Michael Kelly, who with “his long flaxen hair and a round, birdlike face. . .specialized, he said, in ‘lechers, windbags, and doctors.’”
CYNTHIA GREGORY
FOR
THE
BOOKS
If you love Mozart and you love a good romance, you must read Vivien Shotwell’s “Vienna Nocturne.” Wait. What – romance? Yes. It’s summer –when thoughts turn to light, frothy literature, something to be consumed with lemonade poolside, or near the thundering shore. If you’re looking for a sweet, well-crafted historical romance and Mozart is your guy, this is the book for you. Based loosely on historical characters, Shotwell has deftly shaped a tale with heart. There really was an English girl named Anna Storace, who at a precocious age was discovered to have exceptional talent. In “Nocturne”, Anna is taken to study with Venanzio Rauzzini, a castrati, also of exceptional talent and vocal range. After years of meticulous training, Anna’s maestro deems her worthy of singing in Italy, the center of the operatic universe. Soon caught up in a world of opera singers, who in their time were the original rock stars, Anna learns to be a diva. She sings and her voice is golden, and she is worshiped.
When she meets up with Michael again in Milan, history is in her favor. Serious opera is on the outs, and opera buffa is all the rage. Lucky for Anna, she is a natural buffa, and a star is born. In Milan, when Anna’s star crosses that of Francesco Benucci, her life is forever changed. But it isn’t until Anna reaches Vienna and meets Wolfgang Mozart, that her world seriously tilts on its axis. Mozart is funny and strange, dazzling and brilliant. Anna is sophisticated and beloved by the emperor and her public. The two artists are the darlings of their perspective musical worlds and when they meet the heavens smile. Anna’s voice is every bit an equal to Mozart’s elaborate musical
compositions and Mozart is able to create arias for Anna that no other can match. “They began with the recitative, the dialogue-like speak-singing that led into the aria proper “at last,” she said in Italian, “the moment has come when I can enjoy myself without care in the arms of my beloved.” And as she sang this he felt her hand come to rest on the top of his left shoulder.” Ooh la-la! In Shotwell’s version of history, the two musicians become lovers – even as Mozart is married to endearing Constanze. Their affair is a sad enchantment between two equally matched artists who know that their passion is as deep as it is doomed. The two burn so brightly for each other that finally Anna leaves Vienna for London because she can’t end it any other way. Anna Storache’s epic life reads itself like an opera: from a poor and struggling child, to rock star of Vienna’s glittering opera, and then: the dénouement. What good is a love story that doesn’t break your heart – just a little? We love a tragedy as much as we love a love story and in “Vienna Nocturne,” we get both. Cynthia Gregory writes book reviews, award-winning short stories and a blog. Visit her blog at PersephonesStepSisters.Wordpress.com or send email to her at cgregory111@gmail.com
Aspiring singers and actors have a chance to show what they have on stage as the Clayton Theater Company holds auditions for its fall show, “A Trip Down Broadway.” Auditions are July 20 from noon to 6 p.m. and July 21 from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at Endeavor Hall. Call-backs will be from 6:30 to 10 p.m. on July 22. No appointment is neces-
sary to audition, but actors should come prepared to sing 32 bars of a Broadway show. They are also asked to bring their own music, and if they haven’t auditioned before, a head shot and resume. An accompanist will be provided. Actors can also do a cold read from the script. More information about the audition, as well as audition forms, can be found on the Audition tab at claytontheatrecompany.com.
Direct questions to Beth Neudell at 925-381-1615. The auditions follow a successful first year for CTC, capped by the second Dine Out Fundraiser at Pavilion Bar and Grill on June 30. The CTC is also supported by a grant from the Clayton Business and Community Association. For more information go to claytontheatrecompany.com.
Cabaret performance brings Sondheim to Pleasanton theatre Experience the music of the great American musical composer, Stephen Sondheim when Society Cabaret brings “Sing a Song of Sondheim,” to the intimate cabaret-style surroundings of P l e a s a n t o n’s F i r e h o u s e Arts Center in a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. on July 27 “Sing a Song of Sondheim” brings selections from this prolific composer’s greatest works, including “West Side Story,” “Company,” “Sweeney Todd,” “and “Follies.” Described by Frank Rich of the New York Times as “now the greatest and perhaps bestknown artist in the American musical theater,” Sondheim is the winner of an Academy Award, eight Tony Awards, eight Grammy Awards, a Pulitzer Prize and the Laurence Olivier Award. G. Scott.
For ticket information, call the box office at 925.931.4848. The
Firehouse Arts Center is at 4444 Railroad Ave., Pleasanton.
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