On Site Opera Transforms South Street Seaport with Il Tabarro
As the sun set on South Street Seaport, anticipation crackles through the crowd gathered on Pier 16. They are here, perched on their seats under the wide New York sky, to witness a unique spectacle – the location-specific staging of Giacomo Puccini's Il Tabarro by the innovative On Site Opera.
On Site Opera, renowned for their site-specific productions, has chosen the historic waterfront of the South Street Seaport as the backdrop for their rendition of this gripping opera. The lightship Ambrose of the South Street Seaport Museum, with its rich history as a guiding beacon for approaching vessels and witness to the largest period of immigration in U.S. history, will serve as the stage for this tale of jealousy and suspicion.
The opera, part of a multi-year rollout of Puccini's "Il Trittico" by On Site Opera, depicts a love triangle that turns deadly on the banks of the Seine river. This time, the drama is transported to New York's historic waterfront, providing a unique context that promises to intensify the narrative's emotional impact.
Leading the cast in this gripping performance are Eric McKeever as Michele, Yi Li as Luigi (played by Dane Suarez in the dress rehearsal photos), and Ashley Milanese as Giorgetta, among other talented artists. Their performances promise to bring the story to life, guided by the creative vision of the production team including Geoffrey McDonald as Conductor and Laine Rettmer as Stage Director.
Il Tabarro is set to run from Sunday, May 14th through Wednesday, May 17th, with each performance commencing at 6:30 pm. The audience will experience approximately 55 minutes of captivating drama, comfortably seated in chairs on the pier for the duration of the performance. The opera is sung in Italian, but fear not if your Italian is a bit rusty – English supertitles will be provided via a mobile app.
I had the privilege of photographing their dress rehearsal, capturing in real-time the intense drama and emotional resonance of the opera. The experience was nothing short of awe-inspiring, as the talented cast delivered heartrending performances against the magnificent backdrop of the lightship Ambrose.
Laine Rettmer, director, giving notes after rehearsal
My journey as a concert photographer has offered me unique insights into the powerful magic of music and theater, a magic that On Site Opera masterfully wields to tell stories that resonate deeply with their audiences. As they return to the Seaport Museum, building on the success of their previous collaboration in 2021, they continue their mission to cultivate a new generation of opera audiences, transforming non-traditional venues into stages for unforgettable performances.
