ARIA SERIOUS?

From the tooting our own department ( again ): The October issue of Opera News is running a beautiful spread about the Zandra Rhodes production of The Pearl Fishers that was created here by us, currently at Washington National Opera and heading off to Opera Colorado in February of 2009. The issue is on newsstands now, or click here to read it online . And because we love you here at Aria Serious, that's Zandra down below talking about designing this production. - Edward

From the tooting our own horn department: Bizet's The Pearl Fishers opened this weekend at Washington National Opera in the wonderful Zandra "Princess of Pinkness" Rhodes production that originated here in San Diego (that's one of her original costume sketches). This production was Zandra's second production for us, she designed her first opera, The Magic Flute , in 2001 and has since gone one to design Aida for Houston Grand Opera and ENO. I've always been a fan of this production as it takes a simple story and a mediocre opera (hey, it's my opinion) and elevates it into a magical night of musical theatre. It appears I'm not alone in this observation . Next stop for this production, Opera Colorado , and should this production keep up its current rental pace, eventually to a city near you. - Edward