That's Amato, That's Amore!
For over sixty years, the Amato Opera was a mainstay of NYC opera--a place that cultivated young talents, fostered the art and craft of opera, and entertained opera lovers. But once it closed, just a few years ago, New Yorkers lost--momentarily--a tradition that had been around for more than half a century. One of the Amato's successors, the Amore, has proven to be a delightful option for those of us interested in experiencing opera on a more intimate scale. And so, when I first had the opportunity to attend an Amore performance, I was pleasantly delighted by it. Perhaps, it was seeing and hearing the quality of its burgeoning singers, getting a chance to perform such master works; or perhaps it was the cozy feeling of its theater, and the proximity that the audience could have with the performers. In some way, it was like stepping back in time, to an old city theater, dark and dusty, yet full of life and a strong sense of commitment to the operatic genres. The singers, musicians, stage crew, administrators, and the whole community of the Amore were delightfully friendly--from the moment I walked into the opera "house" (theater), to the intermissions, and the finale. It was a treat to meet and speak with those who put the production together, to speak briefly with the director and conductor, and to interact with the musicians. It isn't often--especially in NY--that one can cultivate that intimacy in such productions, especially operas, where we the audience are walled off from the performers, set in our seats, as mere observers. Though, of course, it is understandable: could one imagine if the entirety of the Metropolitan Opera audience descended upon an exhausted post-performance Bryn Terfel or Deborah Voigt! Nonetheless, it is a great opportunity for those opera enthusiasts out there. So if you're ever in NYC and have the chance to experience the Amore, go for it. For it is surely a night you won't forget!
