Composer Erich Korngold is best known for his rousing film scores for The Adventures of Robin Hood, The Sea Hawk, Captain Blood and Kings Row. Like many a composer who worked in the earlier days of the film industry, Korngold also wrote classical or serious music. Amongst his compositions was an opera he wrote at the tender age of 17. That opera, Der Ring des Polykrates, is the second production of the inaugural season for Numi Opera. There are two performances this week at Zipper Hall at the Colburn School on December 19th and 22nd.
Der Ring des Polykrates is a one-act comedic opera that tells the story of a young man, Wilhelm Arndt, who seemingly has everything: he has money and a happy marriage. When a long-absent friend, Peter Vogel, returns into his life Arndt finds himself challenged by Vogel to find something he can – and should – sacrifice so that his good fortune continues.
Tenor Scott Ramsay sings the role of Arndt. Soprano Shana Blake Hill sings the role of Laura (Arndt’s wife.) Roberto Perlas Gomez, a baritone, sings the role of Vogel. Also in the cast are Alex Boyer and Emily Rosenberg. Francesco Milioto conducts.
Directing Der Ring des Polykrates is Numi Opera founder Gail Gordon. To learn more about Numi Opera go here to read our interview with her when Numi Opera launched it first season in May. (This is their second production.)
Korngold’s work in both film and classical music is wildly entertaining and deserving of far greater attention that it receives today. That Numi Opera has selected this lesser-known work represents a step forward for opera in Los Angeles.
For tickets go here.
Photo of Erich Korngold by Cosmo-Sileo Associates (New York, N.Y.)/Courtesy of the New York Public Library Archives