BY KAREN BOSSICK
Sun Valley Opera is offering two tickets for the price of one for its upcoming concert “Vienna Meets New York.”
The concert, at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27, features Zachary James and Melody Wilson performing Broadway hits, opera favorites and even a country song or two, such as “Sixteen Tons.” The performance will include solo numbers and duets.
The concert will be held at the Sun Valley Community School Theatre.
James, a bass-baritone known for his huge robust bass voice, once appeared as Lurch in the original Broadway production of “The Addams Family.” He recently appeared in Philip Glass’s opera “Akhenaten” at the New York Metropolitan Opera. Sun Valley residents had an opportunity to see that performance through the Metropolitan Opera’s Live in HD screening at Big Wood 4 Cinemas.
Wilson, a mezzo-soprano, has sung in opera houses around the world. She will make her debut with Seattle Opera as Olga in “Eugen Onegin.” She will be the mezzo-soprano soloist in Paul Moravec’s “Sanctuary Road” with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra.
The two performed together, having performed in Verdi’s “Nabucco,” based on the biblical books of Jeremiah and Daniel.
“Melody lives in Vienna, which is why we’re calling it ‘Vienna meets New York,’ ” said Frank Meyer, co-founder of Sun Valley Opera. “It should be a good match-up of a bass and soprano singing standards and popular music. They’re not new to each other and they enjoy working together.”
Sun Valley Opera has not featured a lot of bass soloists in their previous programs, noted Meyer. And James had a rather unusual trajectory in his career.
“A lot of singers study opera in the universities, then their careers take a turn to Broadway. You don’t see them going from Broadway to opera so much. You don’t see them going from being trained to sing with a mic to filling up a venue of 2,000 people with only their voice so much,” he added. “Zachary James had some great roles on Broadway. Now he sings opera more than Broadway.’
James created the role of Abraham Lincoln in Philip Glass’s opera “The Perfect American” and Amenhotep III in the New York Metropolitan Opera production of “Akhnaten,” which screened Nov. 23, 2019 as part of the 2019/20 MET HD series.
“I assumed he had a little role and, lo and behold, he sang the lead bass,” Meyer said. “That’s what I guess you could call modesty.”
Two tickets for the price of one $75 ticket can be obtained from Robyn Watson at 1-818-577-7811 or Rwatson.svo@gmail.com. Sun Valley opera season ticket holders and sponsors will have reserved seats. Otherwise, it’s open seating.
Warfield Distillery and Brewery will offer a cash bar featuring the Sun Valley Opera’s signature Winter Cocktail.