An opera in Spanglish? This and more are coming to Modesto thanks to a $20,000 grant
A $20,000 grant will help Opera Modesto stage three works based on famous novels — in English, Spanish and the hybrid known as Spanglish.
The company, formerly Townsend Opera, is among 18 in the United States and Canada getting a total of $1.4 million from the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation.
Opera Modesto will use its grant to further its Story into Song Literacy Initiative over two years. It aims to get young people excited about reading, said Roy Stevens, general and artistic director, in a phone interview Tuesday. Getting them to love opera is a bonus, he said.
First up will be “Mansfield Park,” based on the 1814 book by British novelist Jane Austen about a poor girl sent to live with wealthy relatives. Opera Modesto will perform it on Jan. 11 and 12, 2020. The weekend will feature workshops, a period costume parade and other activities.
The other works, “Don Quixote” and “Bless Me, Ultima,” will be on a double bill on dates in January 2021 that have yet to be confirmed.
The first is based on the early 1600s novel by Miguel de Cervantes about a man entranced by chivalric romances. It will be sung in Spanish.
“Bless Me, Ultima” is a 1972 novel by Rudolpho Anaya about rural New Mexico in the 1940s. Both the book and opera use Spanglish, where Spanish and English words intermix.
Opera Modesto will stage all three operas at the State Theatre in downtown Modesto. It will carry out the grant with partners such as Modesto City Schools, the Stanislaus County Office of Education, county library, book clubs and art groups.
This is the first national grant in the 35-year history of Opera Modesto, Stevens said. The Getty foundation is based in San Francisco and supports various musical causes.
Buy a jar, give a jar
Shoppers at Save Mart can help food banks via the annual Peanut Butter Roundup, through May 14. The Modesto-based grocery chain will donate one jar of a specific Jif product for every jar purchased.
Stores in Northern California and Nevada have bins for the various food banks that will benefit. Last year, the drive collected about 15 tons of peanut butter, enough for more than a quarter-million sandwiches.
And finally ...
Murphys Creek Theatre has replaced its sound system thanks to a $5,151 grant from the Calaveras Community Foundation. The live venue in downtown Murphys purchased an iMac computer, speakers, backstage monitor and related equipment for plays and other events.
“I love it,” stage manager Cortney Gillespie said in a news release. “Now we can give the audience the sound experience it deserves and make the experience that much better.”
Names of Note recognizes people and organizations for their contribution to their communities. Submit items to jholland@modbee.com.
This story was originally published May 3, 2019 at 8:40 PM.