COVID-19 concert series -
Art is Calling for Me
from The Enchantress
by Victor Herbert
Performed by Emma Mansell - mezzo soprano
and Kimberley-Ann Bartczak, accompanist
Recorded live on March 30, 2020 at the Mamdani Opera Centre
Filmed and edited by Marc Lavallée
American composer Victor Herbert (1859-1924) created over 40 operettas and light operas, the most popular being Babes in Toyland and Naughty Marietta (which includes the famous “Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life”). The Enchantress (1911), with lyrics by Harry B. Smith, is set in the fictitious kingdom of Zergovia and revolves around comic court intrigue on the part of spies, conspirators, and ambitious princesses.
In ‘Art is Calling for Me’, the Princess Stellina tries to catch the eye of a prince by extolling her desire to be an opera singer, a life she finds more appealing than being a royal.
Mama is a queen and Papa is a king
So I am a princess, I know it
But court etiquette is a dull dreary thing
I just hate it all, and I show it
To sing on the stage, that's the one life for me
My figure's just like Tetrazzini
I know I'd win fame if I sang in Bohème
That opera by Signor Puccini
I've roulades and the trills
That would send the cold chills
Down the backs of all hearers of my vocal frills
I long to be a prima donna, donna, donna
I long to shine upon the stage
I have the embonpoint to become a queen of song
And my figure would look pretty as a page
I want to be a screechy peachy cantatrice
Like other songbirds that I see
I hate society, I hate propriety
Art is calling for me!
I'm in the elite and men sigh at my feet
Still I do not fancy my position
I have not much use for the men that I meet
I quite burn with lyric ambition
Those tenors so sweet, if they made love to me
I'd be a success, that I do know
And Melba I'd oust
If I once sang in Faust
That opera so charming by Gounod
Girls would be on the brink
Of hysterics, I think
Even strong men would have to go out for a drink
I long to be a prima donna, donna, donna
I long to shine upon the stage
With my avoirdupois and my tra la la la
I would be the chief sensation of the age
I long to hear them shouting "Viva" to the diva
Oh, very lovely that must be
That's what I'm dying for
That's what I'm sighing for
Art is calling for me!
ABOUT THE SERIES
Like so many of you, as we face the daily challenges that grip the entire world as a result of COVID-19 we find ourselves looking for small moments of joy, connection and comfort. Whether it's a listening to a sonnet, watching a funny video, doing yoga, or baking bread, these acts are gifts that soothe those parts of us that are suffering, and help us to brave another day marked by uncertainty, loneliness and loss.
In recent weeks, a bright spot for us has been the incredible conversations we've had with our patrons while processing exchanges, refunds and donations from cancelled performances in our 2019-20 season. Hearing so many stories about how the gift of opera found its way into your lives and just how much the music continues to mean to so many people has brought us a renewed sense of purpose, and anticipation for the day we are able to come together to experience it again.
If you have a story you'd like to share, we hope you will. You can do so either in the comments below or by e-mail at [email protected].
For our performers, in addition to being their profession, making music is also a great source of comfort and we've worked with our 2019-20 Emerging Artists and our incredible Resident Conductor and Repetiteur Kimberley-Ann Bartczak to create a series of short videos that feature them performing musical selections that bring them hope and optimism.
We’ll be releasing a new video every Tuesday and Thursday for the next few months, so please follow our channel to receive notices when new videos are released. Enjoy!
You can also find links to all the videos and a special introduction by Artistic Director Bramwell Tovey and Resident Conductor and Repetiteur Kimberley-Ann Bartczak here: https://calgaryopera.com/news/thegift....