ANATO

24/12/2023

To my family, my friends all around the world, to all my followers, in fact, to everybody, a merry and peaceful Christmas. We look forward to 2024 with some trepidation. Firstly, let war end with good results, let our economies thrive and may all of you enjoy good health and prosperity. Most importantly, have fun.
Graeme

10/06/2023

Next Tuesday in Puerto Banus cinema, Il Trovatore, straight from the Royal Opera house. Tickets from reddog cinemas.
SYNOPSIS
A story of witchcraft, murder, and vengeance, the plot to Il Trovatore begins in the acts of the parents. A mother is burned at the stake for suspected witchcraft, and avenged by her daughter when she throws the child of her ex*****oner into the fire. The child’s father seeks vengeance for the act and forces his surviving son to devote his life to avenging his brother’s death. The story of how the gypsy died haunts every character of the opera. Once grown, Count di Luna is possessed by his need to avenge the death of his brother. Ferrando, the captain of di Luna’s guard uses the story to keep the men on their guard. Azucena sees the event repeating in every waking moment, in the flicker of the fire, and in the shape of shadows. But only she knows the truth. Possessed by a dark force in that moment, the child she threw into the flame was her own. She raises Count di Luna’s brother as her own child, calling him Manrico. Constantly haunted by her mother’s dying words ‘mi vendica’ (avenge me), Azucena sets in motion a series of events which lead to Manrico’s death.

Leonora finds herself in the middle of this cross-generational family feud. She has fallen in love with a mysterious troubadour who sings of his love at her window, and so rejects the advances of Count di Luna. Manrico and di Luna are destined to oppose each other, first as leaders of opposing factions in the war, and now in the pursuit of Leonora’s heart. Not until the final blow is struck and Manrico dies at di Luna’s order does Azucena reveal that his rival was his brother. Her mother is avenged.

Verdi’s Il Trovatore has some of the most rousing choruses and arias in any of his operas, a plot to rival Game of Thrones, and four very demanding lead roles calling for exceptional singers. It is truly a masterpiece which will enjoy its popularity within the operatic canon for years to come.

26/04/2023

The Marriage of Figaro – Synopsis
Act I
Susanna tries on a wedding bonnet, whilst her fiancé Figaro measures the room in the castle given to them by the Count. She points out its dangerous proximity to the Count, reminding Figaro of the droit de seigneur, the ancient feudal right of masters to dally with their maiden servants. Figaro vows to thwart him.
Figaro’s old enemy Bartolo and Bartolo’s former servant Marcellina enter with a marriage contract between Marcellina and Figaro, which they intend to enforce.
The page Cherubino enters, protesting about being sent away to the army because the Count found him dallying with the gardener’s daughter Barbarina. When the Count approaches, he hides.
The Count romances Susanna. Her singing teacher Basilio arrives, forcing the Count to hide. When the Count comes out of hiding, he discovers the hidden Cherubino.
Figaro arrives with a group of peasants praising the Count for abolishing the droit de seigneur. The Count sends Cherubino off to join his regiment.
Act II
The Countess laments her husband’s neglect. Susanna tells her of his designs on her, and of Figaro’s plan to send a cross- dressed Cherubino to meet the Count instead of her. Cherubino arrives to prepare for his ‘tryst’ with the Count, but the Count’s arrival forces him to hide in the closet. Susanna returns unobserved and hides.
The Count, told that Susanna is hiding in the closet, demands that she emerge. He goes to fetch tools to open the door, taking the Countess with him. Susanna releases Cherubino, who escapes through the window while she enters the closet. Returning with her husband, the Countess confesses that Cherubino is inside. Both are nonplussed when Susanna emerges.
Figaro arrives. The gardener Antonio enters complaining about someone jumping from the window; Figaro claims it was him. The Count is relieved when Bartolo, Marcellina and Basilio enter demanding that Figaro marry Marcellina or repay his debt.

Act III
The Count pursues Susanna. She agrees to a rendezvous, but the Count then overhears her plotting with Figaro.
Alone, the Countess ponders her unhappy marriage. Meanwhile, Marcellina has won the court case on her marriage contract. Figaro confesses that he was born into a respectable family and requires his parents’ consent. In his description of his history, Marcellina recognises Figaro as her long- lost son; Bartolo is his father.
Susanna and the Countess write to the Count inviting him to the rendezvous; a pin must be returned as acknowledgement. A group of peasant girls arrives offering flowers to the Countess, with the disguised Cherubino among them. Barbarina forces the Count to agree to let her marry Cherubino. The wedding celebrations begin. Susanna passes the letter to the Count.
Act IV
That night in the garden, Barbarina laments losing the pin she was to return to Susanna. Figaro resolves to interrupt the tryst between Susanna and the Count. Marcellina goes to forewarn Susanna.
Barbarina, Figaro, Bartolo and Basilio hide. Disguised in each other’s clothes, Susanna and the Countess enter to ensnare the Count.
Cherubino arrives seeking Barbarina, but sees (as he thinks) Susanna, and flirts with her. The Count takes Cherubino’s place wooing ‘Susanna’. Figaro, seeing through Susanna’s disguise, feigns seducing ‘the Countess’, and is caught by the Count, who refuses to forgive his wife for her apparent infidelity. The truth is revealed and all is set right.

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18/04/2023

Our next opera is The Marriage of Figaro at the Puerto Banus Cinema on Thursday 27 April. Go to https:/reddogcinemas.com to book tickets.

14/03/2023

Puccini's score for Turandot is fantastic. It includes what is, probably, the best known operatic aria Nessum Dorma.

14/03/2023

Turandot Synopsis
ACT I
Near the walls of Peking
A mandarin reads a proclamation that the Princess Turandot will marry any man of royal rank who successfully answers three riddles propounded by her, but if he fails he must lose his head. The Prince of Persia, having just failed, will be beheaded at moonrise. The crowd is eager for the ex*****on and nearly tramples underfoot the old blind Timur, deposed Tartar king, who is led by the slave girl Li, who cries to the crowd to take pity on him. Calaf, son of Timur, who had been separated from him in exile, recognises his father. Their joy at finding one another still alive is overshadowed by the continued persecution of the king who had defeated them, who is still pursuing Calaf. Li explains that she has guided Timur since his kingdom was lost, because once Calaf had smiled at her.
Although the people have been longing for the moon to rise and the ex*****on to take place, when they see the young prince led to his death, their mood changes and they call for mercy. But Turandot appears on a balcony and signs for the ex*****on to proceed. Calaf is struck by her beauty and, ignoring the warning of his father and Li, the arguments of the three courtiers Ping, Pang and Pong, and not even swayed by the dying cry of the Prince of Persia, strikes the gong as a signal of his challenge for the hand of the princess.

ACT II
Scene 1: A pavilion in the palace grounds
Ping, Pang and Pong remember wistfully the peaceful retreats they have left to become courtiers under the cruel regime of Turandot. They express the hope that she will eventually yield to love and bring to an end the parade of ex*****ons, but they are brought back to the immediate prospect of another potential victim as the crowd gathers.

Scene 2: A vast square before the palace
The people hail the appearance of the emperor, who, weary of so much bloodshed, tries to dissuade Calaf from attempting the contest. But Calaf respectfully insists.
Turandot appears and, having explained that her aversion to men is based on the fate of a princess of her race who was violated and murdered by an invader, asks the riddles. Calaf successfully answers: Hope, Blood and Turandot. Turandot begs her father not to force her to marry the stranger, but he answers that he is bound by an oath. She tells Calaf that she will never be his, and he, touched by her distress, agrees to set her one riddle in his turn: if by dawn she can learn his name, he will die; if not, she must marry him. She consents, and the emperor hopes that at dawn Calaf will be his son-in-law.

ACT III
Scene 1: The garden of the palace at night
Heralds proclaim that no one in the city shall sleep till the mystery of the unknown prince is solved. Calaf repeats their words, confident that by dawn he will have conquered and Turandot will be his. He is approached by Ping, Pang and Pong, offering beautiful girls, riches and glory if he will go away and leave them in peace. The people are angry with him because they are suffering on his account. Guards drag in Timur and Li, who have been seen with Calaf and are assumed to know his name. To save Timur, Li declares that she alone knows the secret and will not reveal it.
Turandot appears as the guards begin to torture Li and is unable to understand what gives her the strength to endure. Li answers that it is the power of love, which Turandot will soon feel herself. Seizing a knife from a guard, Li kills herself. Timur and the people, fearing that her offended spirit will seek revenge, pray to her ghost not to harm them, and even Ping, Pang and Pong feel something stirring in their long atrophied hearts.
The body of Li is carried out and Calaf and Turandot are left alone. He removes her veil and kisses her. With the first tears she has ever shed she confesses that she has feared and loved him since first seeing him. In response to her admission of defeat, he tells her his name.

Scene 2: Outside the palace
Turandot triumphantly announces to the emperor and assembled people that she knows the stranger's name: it is Love. Calaf and Turandot embrace and the emperor and people rejoice

14/03/2023

I am looking forward to Turandot next Wednesday in Puerto Banus. Here is what the Financial Times said about this performance.
Royal Opera’s Turandot revival is a blazing masterpiece.
Puccini’s music glitters with invention under the baton of Antonio Pappano.

16/02/2023

Last night's performance of the Barber of Seville was excellent, a real treat. Our next offering, on Wednesday 22 March, is Turandot. We are off to China for this and it is the story of Prince Calaf's love for the ice cold princess Turandot. Among the features are the famous aria, Nessum Dorma. I will publish a full synopsis on here nearer the date.

15/02/2023

Tonight is the night for the Barber of Seville. 43 advance bookings and, hopefully, many more at the door. I started ANATO a few years ago after I went to see a fabulous opera and there were only five other people there. I thought that it was a terrible waste, I saw ANOTA as an opera appreciation club. However, following my recent first post, this season, I had around 150 likes and expressions of interest. This is more that I can cope with in a membership organisation. I don't have the time and don't need the responsibility!
So, ANATO will continue as a page, bringing news of local opera events, publishing synopses and other stories and providing a link to booking services. I will, shortly, publish a guide to opera for those who have never been and are nervous about going.
Keep enjoying the opera.

04/02/2023

Our next event, The Barber of Seville, is on Wednesday 15 February at 8 pm. It will be screened direct from the Royal Opera House in London to Red Dog Cinema in Puerto Banus. As we have not been able (yet) to secure a discount from the cinema please buy your own tickets. You can do this on the night, but if you want to choose your seat in advance you can do this by going to reddogcinemas.com When you open the page, click on Buy Tickets Now and go to the bottom of that page where it says Soon and you will find the Barber of Seville there. Click on the image and then on 20.00 and this will take you to the seat choice. There you can choose your seat and pay for your tickets (€26). At the moment., seat availability is good but it tends to fill up quite quickly on the last days before the performance. I look forward to seeing you there.

04/02/2023

SYNOPSIS

THE BARBER OF SEVILLE: THE STORY
ACT I
Count Almaviva is a Spanish nobleman who is in love with Rosina. However Rosina’s guardian, the old physician Dr Bartolo, has plans to marry Rosina himself and get his hands on her money. Almaviva has followed Rosina from Madrid to Seville, disguised as a poor student called Lindoro.
Outside Dr Bartolo’s house, Almaviva serenades Rosina. The serenade produces no response, so Almaviva enlists the help of Figaro, a barber who prides himself on his ability to manage the affairs of the city. Figaro turns out to be a general factotum (servant) to the Bartolo household, with easy access to the house.
Rumours of Almaviva’s interest in Rosina have reach Bartolo’s ears and he decides he must waste no time in marrying her himself. He gives strict instructions to the servants that while he is out, no one should gain admittance to the house.
Figaro devises a plan whereby Almaviva can gain access to the household: he must pretend to be a drunken soldier lodging at Dr Bartolo’s.
Figaro makes his way into Dr Bartolo’s home and manages a brief meeting with Rosina before Bartolo appears. Bartolo questions Rosina about her meeting with Figaro. When Rosina’s singing teacher Don Basilio arrives, Bartolo brings him up to date on the situation with Rosina. Figaro overhears this and starts to prepare the ground for ‘Lindoro’, but soon realises that Rosina is already ahead of him…
Bartolo suspects Rosina of writing a letter to ‘Lindoro’; when she protests her innocence, he warns her to find more plausible excuses for a man of his standing.
Almaviva, now disguised as a soldier, arrives to take up his ‘lodging’ in Bartolo’s house. Rosina is delighted when he reveals that he is really her secret admirer. Bartolo’s annoyance at Almaviva’s drunken behaviour causes such a row that the militia are called by the neighbours. Almaviva narrowly escapes arrest, much to Bartolo’s annoyance.
ACT II
Assuming yet another disguise, Almaviva enters the house as Don Alonso, a music teacher who has come to give Rosina her music lesson in place of Don Basilio, who, he claims, has suddenly fallen ill. To gain Bartolo’s trust, Don Alonso reveals that he has intercepted a note from Almaviva to Rosina. Bartolo fetches Rosina for her lesson. While Bartolo dozes, Rosina and ‘Lindoro’ express their love and make plans to elope that night.
Figaro arrives to shave Bartolo and lures him away from the music room. All is going to plan until Don Basilio unexpectedly appears, but Figaro quickly pays him off. Bartolo, however, has not been entirely duped, and discovers Almaviva’s disguise. The game seems to be up for the lovers…
When Bartolo discovers that Basilio has never heard of Alonso, he decides to marry Rosina without delay. He confronts Rosina with a letter she addressed to ‘Lindoro’.
Following a violent thunderstorm, Figaro and Almaviva climb into the house. They are confronted by Rosina who is angry at being ‘used’ by ‘Lindoro’ – until she learns that he is in fact Almaviva and falls willingly into his arms. Figaro is anxious for the lovers to leave, but they discover they are unable to make their escape because Bartolo has removed the ladder.
Basilio returns with a notary who is ready to marry Bartolo and Rosina, but a bribe and threats easily persuade Basilio to witness instead the marriage of Rosina to Almaviva. Bartolo and the magistrate appear too late and Bartolo is forced to acknowledge he has lost Rosina.

Red Dog Cinema Wednesday 15 February 2023

SYNOPSIS

THE BARBER OF SEVILLE: THE STORY
ACT I
Count Almaviva is a Spanish nobleman who is in love with Rosina. However Rosina’s guardian, the old physician Dr Bartolo, has plans to marry Rosina himself and get his hands on her money. Almaviva has followed Rosina from Madrid to Seville, disguised as a poor student called Lindoro.
Outside Dr Bartolo’s house, Almaviva serenades Rosina. The serenade produces no response, so Almaviva enlists the help of Figaro, a barber who prides himself on his ability to manage the affairs of the city. Figaro turns out to be a general factotum (servant) to the Bartolo household, with easy access to the house.
Rumours of Almaviva’s interest in Rosina have reach Bartolo’s ears and he decides he must waste no time in marrying her himself. He gives strict instructions to the servants that while he is out, no one should gain admittance to the house.
Figaro devises a plan whereby Almaviva can gain access to the household: he must pretend to be a drunken soldier lodging at Dr Bartolo’s.
Figaro makes his way into Dr Bartolo’s home and manages a brief meeting with Rosina before Bartolo appears. Bartolo questions Rosina about her meeting with Figaro. When Rosina’s singing teacher Don Basilio arrives, Bartolo brings him up to date on the situation with Rosina. Figaro overhears this and starts to prepare the ground for ‘Lindoro’, but soon realises that Rosina is already ahead of him…
Bartolo suspects Rosina of writing a letter to ‘Lindoro’; when she protests her innocence, he warns her to find more plausible excuses for a man of his standing.
Almaviva, now disguised as a soldier, arrives to take up his ‘lodging’ in Bartolo’s house. Rosina is delighted when he reveals that he is really her secret admirer. Bartolo’s annoyance at Almaviva’s drunken behaviour causes such a row that the militia are called by the neighbours. Almaviva narrowly escapes arrest, much to Bartolo’s annoyance.
ACT II
Assuming yet another disguise, Almaviva enters the house as Don Alonso, a music teacher who has come to give Rosina her music lesson in place of Don Basilio, who, he claims, has suddenly fallen ill. To gain Bartolo’s trust, Don Alonso reveals that he has intercepted a note from Almaviva to Rosina. Bartolo fetches Rosina for her lesson. While Bartolo dozes, Rosina and ‘Lindoro’ express their love and make plans to elope that night.
Figaro arrives to shave Bartolo and lures him away from the music room. All is going to plan until Don Basilio unexpectedly appears, but Figaro quickly pays him off. Bartolo, however, has not been entirely duped, and discovers Almaviva’s disguise. The game seems to be up for the lovers…
When Bartolo discovers that Basilio has never heard of Alonso, he decides to marry Rosina without delay. He confronts Rosina with a letter she addressed to ‘Lindoro’.
Following a violent thunderstorm, Figaro and Almaviva climb into the house. They are confronted by Rosina who is angry at being ‘used’ by ‘Lindoro’ – until she learns that he is in fact Almaviva and falls willingly into his arms. Figaro is anxious for the lovers to leave, but they discover they are unable to make their escape because Bartolo has removed the ladder.
Basilio returns with a notary who is ready to marry Bartolo and Rosina, but a bribe and threats easily persuade Basilio to witness instead the marriage of Rosina to Almaviva. Bartolo and the magistrate appear too late and Bartolo is forced to acknowledge he has lost Rosina.

Red Dog Cinema Wednesday 15 February 2023

22/01/2023

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19/01/2023

Thank you so much for showing an interest in our new opera group ANATO. ANATO exists to encourage culture on the Costa del Sol in Southern Spain. We will encourage and promote live opera and streaming services from major venues around the world. If there is sufficient demand, we will also promote social events in the Marbella / Estepona area.
If you are interested in learning more, please send your email address to me at [email protected] and I will send you an information pack. Alternatively, you can WhatsApp me at 606 999 081.
Although you will have to pay entry fees to attended performances ) there are no charges whatsoever for being a member of ANATO. Graeme Ward (Founder)

19/01/2023