It seems that the perfect alter-ego for the dingy and quirky Caffe Lena Theater is a psychic’s den, which is why it is so apropos that HHOT has been awarded a competitive grant from the Saratoga Arts Fest to support a presentation of “The Medium” by Gian Carlo Menotti on Sunday June 12th at 1pm.

The opera is a drama in two acts with a libretto in English. The eerie tragedy, with its at once haunting and jarring accompaniment, is the the perfect juxtaposition of opera and theater as Menotti explores the unraveling of a fake psychic whose alcoholic hallucinations culminate in a dark and paranoid resolution. The audience will experience this piece as if they themselves have been invited into a seance as its intimate and raw interactions bring into question the line between reality and deception, slavery and freedom.

HHOT will be performing The Medium under the musical direction and piano accompaniment of maestro Kelly Crandell who recently relocated to this side of the world from Denmark where he continues his successful conducting career. Jason Dolmetsch, a Theater Company at Hubbard Hall veteran, will be making his second appearance with HHOT as director. Jason was recently listed among the 2010 top ten actors in the Berkshire region for his work with “Another Antigone”, which was also presented at the SAF last year.

Founded in 2008 by Managing Artistic Director Alexina Jones, HHOT has since presented three critically-acclaimed summer productions with orchestra, Mozart’s Cosi fan tutte, (2008) Bizet/Brook’s La Tragedie de Carmen, (2009) and Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel (2010). HHOT’s last production an abridged version of Puccini’s La Boheme a fundraiser featuring past, young artists- both at Hubbard Hall and the Saratoga Springs Public Library. Coming up this year in August is a double bill of Don Pasquale and the Select Conservatory performances of Dido and Aeneas.   
 
Further information about our cast can be found on the HHOC website: http://www.hubbardhall.org/opera/spotlight

And information on how to purchase tickets in advance can be found here: http://www.saratogaartsfest.org

PERFORMANCE: Date/Time: Sunday, June 12 at 1:00 pm
Location: Caffé Lena Theater, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs

Admission Information: ArtsPass or Festival Pass or single event ticket.
Single tickets are available at the door.

DRESS REHEARSAL: You can also preview the final production at its dress rehearsal the day before.
Date/Time: Saturday, June 11 at 8pm
Location: Hubbard Hall mainstage, 25 East Main Street, Cambridge, NY
Admission Information: Pay what you will, suggested donation $15