This Saturday, join Tempo — the Minnesota Opera’s membership program for opera newbies and buffs ages 21-39 — for an Opera Night Out to see the opening-night performance of “Silent Night,” a brand-new opera commissioned by the Minnesota Opera New Works Initiative.
A fascinating true story, “Silent Night” recounts a miraculous moment of peace during one of the bloodiest wars in human history.
On World War I’s western front, weapons are laid down when the Scottish, French and German officers defy their superiors and negotiate a Christmas Eve truce.
Enemies become brothers as they come together to share Christmas and bury their dead.
In the words of Stanley Weintraub, author of “Silent Night: The Story of the World War I Christmas Truce,” (2001, Simon & Schuster):
Although the unchanged reality of war is that the shots ordered by increasingly remote presences are absorbed by ordinary humans, Christmas 1914 re-opened imaginations to the unsettling truth that at each end of the rifle, men were indeed the same.
Created by composer Kevin Puts and librettist Mark Campbell, “Silent Night” derives from the screenplay for the 2005 award-winning movie “Joyeux Noël,” written by Christian Carion and produced by Nord-Ouest Films.
Academy Award-winner Eric Simonson directs this production of “Silent Night,” which stars acclaimed tenor William Burden as the soldier whose voice inspired peace among adversaries — if only for a day.
Celebrate history in the making as Tempo fête the world premier of “Silent Night.” Opening-night tickets are only $35 with a yearly $50 Tempo membership, which includes many exciting benefits to help you get acquainted with the Minnesota Opera.
Not a Tempo member? Need tickets to the show? Call 612-333-6669.
After the performance, join the cast and fellow Tempo members for an afterparty at Sakura.
Mingle with opera stars and enjoy drink specials and complimentary appetizers. This night promises to be anything but silent!
Black tie admired, but not required.
The world premiere of “Silent Night” runs Nov. 12, 15, 17, 19 and 20, 2011. The opera is sung in English, German, French, Italian and Latin with English translations projected above the stage. For more information, visit Minnesota Opera 2011-2012 Season.
“Silent Night” performance:
Time: 7:30-10 p.m.
Date: Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011
Place: Ordway Center, 345 Washington St., St. Paul, MN 55102
Cost: $35 with Tempo membership
Tempo afterparty:
Time: 10 p.m.-1 a.m.
Date: Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011
Place: Sakura, 350 St. Peter St., St. Paul, MN 55102
