Though abbreviated, the Brookfield-Jordan Studio’s version of the opera “Tales of Hoffman” comes fully staged in the grand French style of opulent costumes, a bizarrely entertaining love story and a gondola.
But the pivotal reason that convinced musical director Sherri Brookfield-Jordan to put on this challenging opera was one singer.
“The reason for doing this opera is that we are blessed with an absolutely brilliant young tenor,” Brookfield-Jordan said. “This is some of the most difficult tenor repertoire and without him we wouldn’t be doing this opera.”
This one singer is Jayson Wilson, 18, a recent graduate of Kamiak High School who is continuing his musical studies at Mannes Conservatory of Music in Manhattan this fall.
Wilson takes on the role of Hoffman in the Brookfield-Jordan Studio recital production of “Tales of Hoffman” Saturday and Sunday at Everett Performing Arts Center. Along with the opera, studio performers are also presenting a revue of the songs of Stephen Sondheim.
Wilson spoke confidently of the burdensome role of Hoffman, revealing the self-assurance of three years of professional training with Brookfield-Jordan. Sherri and her husband, Gary Jordan, have been voice teachers, directors and performers for decades and together they run Mukilteo’s Brookfield-Jordan Studio.
“It’s really a high-level difficulty role and it takes a real tenor, and you don’t get a lot of those nowadays because the fine arts, there are not very many people who study in that respect any more,” Wilson said. “It’s just what I enjoy doing. (The music) conveys real emotions and it’s just beautiful music and I’m attracted to it so much. Opera is raw.”
“Tales of Hoffman” was composed by Jacques Offenbach based on three short stories by poet E.T.A. Hoffman, who was “a bit of a druggie,” and has a somewhat hallucinating experience of falling in love with three different women, one of them being a mechanical doll, Brookfield-Jordan said.
The mechanical doll is named Olympia. Two performers will double-team the role: Whitman College sophomore McKenna Milici, who studied with the studio for eight years, and Kara Kaye, who is entering Cornish College of the Arts this fall.
Brookfield-Jordan called these singers “two gifted coloraturas,” or “high-flying sopranos.”
“I call them the tightrope walkers at the circus,” Brookfield-Jordan said.
In the second act, Hoffman falls for Giuletta, a Venetian courtesan, sung by Evan Merrienne, “a mature singer with a glorious voice,” and Sola Yun, a senior at Kamiak.
Yun, who has only been in the United States four years, is “gifted with this big gorgeous voice,” Brookfield-Jordan said.
In the third act, Hoffman falls for Antonia, who has a dreaded singing disease that could kill her. Her mother the opera star died because of it and the manipulations of Dr. Miracle. Miracle is sung by Anne Wolken, a senior at Kamiak. Antonia is sung by Melissa Sturgis. The mother is played by Melissa’s sister, Mindee Viscalla.
Hoffman’s quest for love is unrequited and a special effect at the end brings an extra twist to this beautifully sung tragedy.
“The first act is very funny with the doll, and the second act is very glamorous,” said Brookfield-Jordan, who said the opera will be sung in French but will be laced with English dialogue so the audience can follow the story.
After the opera, the audience will be treated to the musical genius of Stephen Sondheim as studio performers belt out many favorites during the revue “The Pleasure of His Company.” The hits include songs from “Company,” “Sweeney Todd,” “Into the Woods” and “Sunday in the Park with George.”
As Brookfield-Jordan described the evening:
“The first half is dramatic and spectacular and the second half is pure fun and wit and marvelous singing.”
Reporter Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424 or goffredo@heraldnet.com
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