The historic Garibaldina Society is a social club in Los Angeles that’s been celebrating Italian culture since 1877 is hosting Pacific Opera Project’s (POP) U.S. premiere production of Il Fortunato Inganno (The Happy Deception), Gaetano Donizetti’s long-lost Italian comedic opera from September 4–13. And after being lost for over 170 years, this time around, POP gave the 1822 original opera a groovy new spin, setting the mistaken identities and scheming aunts against a stylish 1960s backdrop. And if you love Italian culture, Italian food, Italian wine, and Italian opera, this is probably the most Italian night you can have here this year!
This rare, rediscovered Donizetti comedy about an opera company putting on an opera is set amidst the hilarious backstage antics and egos of Lattanzio Lattrughelli’s opera company, which is in the middle of a chaotic rehearsal for a new show. Within this setting, the young actress Eugenia is in love with a cavalry lieutenant, Edoardo. However, Edoardo’s gruff uncle, Colonel Franceschetti, adamantly refuses to allow his nephew to marry anyone associated with the theater.
To save the relationship, Eugenia’s clever aunt, Aurelia, hatches a plan. Disguised as a glamorous countess, she approaches the Colonel, flatters his ego, and pretends to fall for him. Completely charmed and manipulated by the ruse, the Colonel swiftly drops his opposition to the marriage. When the disguise is eventually revealed, the Colonel is initially stunned and flustered, but he ultimately laughs it off, allowing love to prevail and the show to go on!
The U.S. premiere of Donizetti’s opera is a natural fit for Pacific Opera Project (POP) since the company, led by Artistic Director Josh Shaw, specializes in reviving rare and lost bel canto operas. And as always, renowned opera singers from across the country were recruited to perform the roles, including bass-baritone Scott Levin (LA Opera, Long Beach Opera) as Lattanzio Lattughelli; soprano Avery Boettcher (Santa Fe Opera, Detroit Opera) as Aurelia; baritone Kenny Stavert (Musica le Mans, Indianapolis Opera) as Ortenzio Franschetti; baritone Joel Balzun (LA Opera, Santa Fe Opera) as Bequardo; baritone John Tibbetts (Opera Atelier, Palm Beach Opera) as Vulcano; tenor Fran Laucerica (Opera Philadelphia, Pittsburgh Opera) as Eduardo; soprano Sunwoo Park (Wolf Trap Opera, Opera Santa Barbara) as Eugenia; mezzo-soprano Kira Dills-DeSurra (Chicago Opera Theater, Beth Morrisson Projects) as Fulgenzia del Foletto, baritone Chris Walters (Lyric Opera of Orange County) as Biscaglino; bass Steve Pence (LA Opera, LA Phil) as Ascanio; and soprano Joanna Kim (Opera in the Ozarks, Opera North) as Firodelisa.
Shaw, who adapted and directed the production, spent a lot of time translating the dialogue and then cutting as much as he could until only the essential plot points were left to assist the cast in memorization. But even though the plot ofIngannois very simple, there are a lot of characters. So, to help the audience track who is who, Shaw dressed the characters in very distinct, monochromatic “mod” 60s costumes to assist in identifying each against the silver background at the very Italian Garibaldina. And I can only imagine all the chaos going on backstage, no doubt very similar to what happens to the opera company at the center of Gaetano Donizetti’s Il Fortunato Inganno!
The U.S. premiere of Gaetano Donizetti’s Il Fortunato Inganno by Pacific Opera Project continues this weekend on Friday, September 11 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, September 12 at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, September 13 at 3 p.m. at The Garibaldina; 4533 N Figueroa St, Los Angeles, 90065. Doors open one hour before curtain for drinks and food. Run time is 2 hours 45 minutes, sung in Italian with new English dialogue by Josh Shaw, presented with English supertitles.
This production offers general or table seating; all table seating comes complete with a pasta dinner (marinara sauce with burrata and basil) and a glass of wine. (Sorry, there are no vegan or gluten-free options.) Additional wine by bottle or glass are available for purchase, and there is a full cash bar open all evening.
General seating tickets start at $15, with table seating running from $35 per seat to $400 for a private front table of 4 seats, available for purchase at https://www.pacificoperaproject.com/. Please order your tickets ASAP as performances are expected to sell out!
And get ready for some bloody action for Halloween when POP opens Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler from October 30 to November 8 at the El Portal Theatre at 5269 Lankershim Blvd. in North Hollywood 91601. Run time will be approximately three hours with one intermission, presented in English with English supertitles. More information and tickets on the POP website.