Dear Friends of Magical Moonshine Puppets,

Opera News! Guild members Michael and Valerie Nelson have joined the cast
of Vallejo Music Theatre's Dido and Aeneas which opens October 14 in
Vallejo. The puppetry we are bringing to this is quite minimal (due to
joining the cast late in the design stages) but some of the
masks-made-to-puppets from our production of Orpheus Ascending are used in
the prologue, at the beginning of Act 2 and in the epilogue. In the play
Valerie plays Venus (goddess of Love, of course!) and Michael plays her
protagonist, Mars, god of War. Valerie also sings and dances in the chorus.

The opera is short (less than an hour) and the music and singing of the main
cast is wonderful. I would say that it is a good introduction to opera for
older children because of its length and Greek story, but be advised that it
is a tragedy (but with some light-hearted moments.) If you are thinking of
bringing a child, look up the story first (here is one link to try:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dido_and_Aeneas ). Ticket prices are extremely
reasonable and the venue is very intimate; a rare and superb opportunity to
see and hear good opera in a small space. Our opening night went very well
and was quite well received. We look forward to seeing you in our audience!

And for the spring, we may have more opera news for you, this time with more
puppets!

Read on for more info about Dido and Aeneas:

"Dido & Aeneas"
by the great English composer Henry Purcell (1659-1695)

Vallejo Music Theatre's first venture into the world of the Baroque Opera.
In this production Artistic Director Lana Poklad will collaborate with Bay
Area early music ensemble Galileo Project and choreographer Alexis Drabek
from Berkeley. "Dido and Aeneas" was composed in 1689 and is based on a love
story from Virgil's "Aeneid." This sparkling miniature opera is filled with
intense drama, elegant songs and high-spirited dances, which even after 300
years continue to touch the hearts of audiences around the world.

Only five performances include Sunday, October 14 opening with light dinner
at 3:00 PM;
Dinner & Opera $50 all seats

Saturday, October 20, 8:00 PM, Sunday October 21, 3:00 PM; Saturday October
27, 8:00 PM
Sunday, October 28, 3:00 PM closing and reception.
(general $28, senior/military $25, Student $20)

All performances will be at the Vallejo Music Theatre building, The Old Post
Office, at
823 Marin Street
Vallejo
707.649.2787