Details on Urban Opera's "The Witch of Endor:

Here are the details (Courtesy of Michelle McGill):
music by Henry Purcell, conceived and directed by Chip Grant

October 30 & 31 4:00 p.m.

Urban Opera launches its second production with an expanded work drawn from an English opera scene by Henry Purcell on October 30th and 31st with Shawnette Sulker in the title role and Colby Roberts as King Saul.

The Witch of Endor features “In Guilty Night”; Purcell’s setting of an anonymous libretto, based on a story from The Hebrew Bible. Also featured are selections from Purcell’s liturgical canon as well as excerpts from two Purcell operas, The Indian Queen and Abdelazar. This “new work” is told in the style of an ancient Greek tragedy.

The opera uses modern theatrical devises to bring those unfamiliar with The First Book of Samuel up to speed. Saul, the first king of Israel, seeks guidance as to what he should do as the Philistine army threatens to overrun his kingdom. Saul calls upon God who does not answer; so he goes to Dreams who also does not show him the way. He finally resorts to a medium to call up the ghost of the prophet Samuel for guidance. The ghost gives him the answer although it may not be the answer he was looking for.

Urban Opera brings together singers and actors from across a broad spectrum of the music world. Featured with Ms. Sulker and Mr. Roberts are soprano Lindsey McLennan (Dreams), bass-baritone John Minagro (Samuel), The Urban Opera Chorus and String Ensemble.

Modern costume design coupled with contemporary theatrical devices aid in bringing the opera out of antiquity and into a modern sensibility.

This site-specific performance will take place at The Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin in San Francisco.

Tickets are on sale now at:

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/129072