Opera in the Mountains

The International Tenors (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSxh5xS5UaI) came to Heritage Hall in Mountain City, TN this evening and although the crowd was sparse...they were enthusiastic!  And those who came were treated to a fine evening of good music, some memories from long long ago and a great addition to the entertainment of Johnson County.

The three tenors who are from Canada combined videos of Italian, French and German scenery while they sang selections from popular operas of those countries.  O Sole Mia was also included...as were songs from famous tenors who have passed on.  These were shown in videos of the tenors performing and included some biographical facts.    The audience was amazed at how young Caruso and Lana were when they died.

This was a nice interlude between songs, and I thought the International Tenors were very brave to show videos of the famous tenors singing their signature arias and then follow the video with a live rendition of the songs.

Some of the historic tenors included Enrico Caruso, Mario Lanza, Lucianno Pavorati and who would-a thought Elvis!  He was a tenor after all.

Many years ago on my birthday in June, my godfather took me to Radio City Music Hall to see the show and movie.  In those days, there were continuous performances so you might come in at the middle of the show or movie and then just wait till it rolled around again.  We always sat in the second balcony, center.  This year, as we opened the doors to our seats, Mario Lanza started singing Happy Birthday directly to me!  My godfather always said he planned it that way!  After the show, we always went to Schrafts for ice cream.
Memories...wonderful and beautiful watercolors in the mind.

A few Broadway songs were thrown in for a light motif - of course, those which were song by tenors!  My Fair Lady introduced On The Street Where She Lives and Sound of Music was Eidelweis with audience participation.

There is a full schedule of events at Heritage Hall in the coming months.  Productions from Barter Theatre, just over the state line in Abingdon, VA to the local high school theater group doing a murder mystery musical, Musical Comedy Murders of the 40's!  There is some amazing talent here in the mountains, not only Cody Norris and his Watauga Mountain Boys.  Cody's shows always sell out!  It'll be May 25th this year if you think you might like to try and come I suggest calling for tickets right away.

For more information on shows at Heritage Hall check their website: heritagehalltheatre.org.  And then check for a room at the Iron Mountain Inn B&B just down the road from the theater on their website: www.ironmountaininn.com