Weekend Planner: Shakespearean drama comes to Met Opera

Published 10:44 am Thursday, October 15, 2015

Sonya Yoncheva plays Desdemona and Aleksandrs Antonenko plays Otello in the upcoming opera “Otello.” - Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera

Sonya Yoncheva plays Desdemona and Aleksandrs Antonenko plays Otello in the upcoming opera “Otello.” – Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera

An opera based on William Shakespeare’s tragic drama of jealousy and deceit will transmit live this weekend to the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center.

Giuseppe Verdi’s “Otello” is the second opera of The Met: Live in HD season.

Director Bartlett Sher probes the Moor’s dramatic downfall.

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It stars Aleksandrs Antonenko, who makes his Met debut role in the title role, opposite rising Bulgarian soprano Sonya Yoncheva in her first-ever performances of Otello’s innocent wife Desdemona.

Zeljko Lucic plays Iago, and Dimitri Pittas plays Cassion in Verdi’s “Otello.” - Ken Howard/Metroplitan Opera

Zeljko Lucic plays Iago, and Dimitri Pittas plays Cassion in Verdi’s “Otello.” – Ken Howard/Metroplitan Opera

Zeljko Lucic is the evil Iago, who masterminds Otello’s demise, and Dimitri Pittas is Iago’s pawn Cassio.

Tickets may be purchased at the Albert Lea Community Theatre box office. Cost is $20 for adults and $12 for students. A five-opera flex package is available for $90.

Meet the Met will meet at 11:30 a.m. prior to the opera at 11:55 a.m. in the theater. This will cover fun facts about the opera, the stars and a short synopsis.

Here’s a roundup of other events taking place this weekend:

 

Friday

• “Asia Speaks,” an exhibit showcasing the work of Dee Teller, an internationally acclaimed, Minnesota-based sumi-e brush painter, will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Freeborn County Arts Initiative, 224 S. Broadway.

• Albert Lea Parks and Recreation will host Lil’ Monsters in the conference room at City Arena for children in preschool through first grade. Have fun decorating your own pumpkin and make crafts and spider cookies. Watch a spooky movie with friends and listen to stories. Snacks provided. Fee is $8.

• The “Our Mothers and Daughters: Four Generations of Artwork” exhibit will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Albert Lea Art Center, 226 W. Clark St. The exhibit features the work of Carli Marticia Bailey, Rachel Bailey Collier, Marticia Davis Bailey and Rachel Marticia Davis.

• The Friends of the Library fall book sale will be from noon to 6 p.m. at the City Hall garage.

• Albert Lea Parks and Recreation will host Movies, Pumpkins and Snacks-Oh My! for children in second through fifth grades from 1 to 4 p.m. in the conference room at City Arena. Come enjoy creepy crafts, pumpkin decorating, ghoulish games and a spooky movie. Snacks provided. Fee is $8.

• Albert Lea Community Theatre will present “Calendar Girls” at 7:30 p.m. at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center.

 

Saturday

• The Southern Gateway chapter of the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association will host its seventh annual Fall Field Day.

The event is open to children between the ages of 6 to 18 years old. Those interested do not need to be a member to attend.

The group will leave the Hy-Vee parking lot at 8:45 a.m. and return around 2 p.m.

There will be numerous outdoor activities throughout the day, including hunting safety, deer stands, archery and tracking. Lunch will be provided.

• The Albert Lea Lions Club’s Great Eyeglass Roundup will be from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Northbridge Mall parking lot.

• The Albert Lea Farmers Market will be open from 9 a.m. to noon at Northbridge Mall, 2510 Bridge Ave.

• The Friends of the Library fall book sale will be from 9 a.m. to noon at the City Hall garage.

• The “Our Mothers and Daughters: Four Generations of Artwork” exhibit will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Albert Lea Art Center, 226 W. Clark St.

• The Preservation Alliance of Minnesota and the city of Albert Lea will host the second-ever Instameet, a curated social outing for people to experience and photograph historic buildings and places.

The focus will be to experience and photograph historic downtown Albert Lea, including access to buildings that make up the state’s largest intact historic district, such as the Freeborn National Bank Building, the Nasty Habit and the Community Cornerstone building.

The event begins at 10 a.m. at The Interchange Wine & Coffee Bistro and goes until 3 p.m.

Participating photographers can submit their photographs after the event, and the top three favorite views from #InstaAlbertLea will be honored with giveaways from partner organizations.

• “Asia Speaks,” an exhibit showcasing the work of Dee Teller, an internationally acclaimed, Minnesota-based sumi-e brush painter, will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Freeborn County Arts Initiative, 224 S. Broadway.

• The Freeborn County Historical Museum will host a Tea with Family and Friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Brush up on your etiquette do’s and don’ts in this Victorian-era inspired program, presented by staff from the Alexander Ramsey House in the history behind some of our modern-day manners. Reservations needed. Call 377-7433.

• A benefit rib dinner and silent auction will be from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at First Lutheran Church to support the 2016 First Lutheran Church-Jessica Lokken Summer School of Music and Art. The event will feature music by Jennifer Ordalen and Tim O’Shields. Cost is $12. Tickets are available at First Lutheran Church, Stadheim Jewelers and The Lofts.

• Albert Lea Community Theatre will present “Calendar Girls” at 7:30 p.m. at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center.

 

Sunday

• The Albert Lea Masonic Lodge will host an amaranth pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Menu includes amaranth pancakes, eggs, sausages, juice, milk and coffee. Cost is $7.

• The Alaska String Band concert will be at 3 p.m. at United Methodist Church. Cost is $10 for adults, $20 for a family, $5 for students and children 5 and under are free.

• Redeemer Lutheran Church in Alden will host its harvest dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Alden-Conger School cafeteria. Menu includes turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, cranberry salad and homemade desserts. Funds will go to the Redeemer’s Scholarship Fund. Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 5 to 12 and free for children 4 and under. Carryout and delivery orders are welcome. Call 874-3120 or 351-4394.