West Bay Opera performs 'La Perichole' May 23-June 1 West Bay Opera performs 'La Perichole' May 23-June 1 (May 21, 2003)

The curtain rises on the third act of West Bay Opera's 47th season this Friday, May 23, at Lucie Stern Theatre in Palo Alto with the premiere performance of "La Perichole," Offenbach's wine-soaked farce.

Under the musical direction of Barbara Day Turner and stage direction of Daniel Helfgot, the opera features Layna Chianakas of San Jose as Perichole and Brett Colby of New Jersey as her lover, Piquillo.

Calling the opera a "perfect crossover piece," Maestra Turner said "La Perichole" is a silly opera with "great tunes."

Mezzo-soprano Layna Chianakas said "La Perichole" offers a great opportunity to those who have not yet experienced opera. "This is as accessible as you can get. It's like musical theater with classical voices," she said.

Tenor Brett Colby noted that the opera is not performed very often, but that it is funny, fast and short, with catchy tunes. "It's very physical -- we perform vocal acrobatics," he said.

The three-act opera takes place in 18th century Peru, where PÈrichole and her partner, Piquillo, are struggling to feed themselves as street singers.

Don Andres de Ribeira, the viceroy of Peru, is smitten by Perichole's beauty and asks her to be one of his ladies-in-waiting. Though she is aware of his unsavory intentions, Perichole is so hungry she consents.

However, ladies-in-waiting must be married, and through a drunken chain of events, Piquillo is unwittingly married to a veiled Perichole.

After he sobers up, Piquillo cannot remember his marriage. When he discovers that they have been married but that she is to be the viceroy's new mistress, he flies into such a rage that he is confined to the "dungeon for recalcitrant husbands."

Jailbreaks, disguises, and timely flattery ensue, as Perichole and Piquillo try to sing their way out of trouble.

"La Perichole" is sponsored by the Almanac and the Mountain View Voice.

PERFORMANCES

"La Perichole" will be performed by West Bay Opera in English with English supertitles at Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto. Performances run Friday through Sunday, May 23 to 25, and May 30 to June 1. Friday and Saturday performances start at 8 p.m. Sunday performances start at 2 p.m. Tickets are $42, with a $21 youth ticket (18 and under) available for Sunday matinees only. For tickets and more information, call the West Bay Opera box office at 424-9999, Monday through Friday, 1-6 p.m., or go to www.wbopera.org. Tickets may also be purchased at the Holt Building, 221 Lambert Ave., Palo Alto.