"The Shakespeare Riots" Proves Opera is for Everyone

The Shakespeare Riots, a new American, one-act, 75-minute opera written by Ashley Galvani Bell and Gregory Moomjy, received a rousing standing ovation after the one-night-only world premiere on Saturday, October 8, at Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor. For six years, Divaria Productions has been bringing mesmerizing operatic productions to the East End, including La Traviata, Don Giovanni in New York, and Othello.

American Opera superstar soprano Ashley Galvani Bell, one of the founders of Divaria and librettists of The Shakespeare Riots, is passionate about historical research. She loves discovering stories behind famous literary works and operatic pieces and retelling them in new and exciting ways. Ms. Bell hopes to make opera accessible to all, dispelling the myth that opera is only for the elite.

Brilliantly directed by Antón Armendáriz Díaz, The Shakespeare Riots tells the haunting story of the 1849 deadly brawl that took place outside the Astor Place Opera House in New York City. The opera house was founded by New York's upper class, known as the Astor-ocracy, and as such, it was not a place welcoming to the working-class population. Animosity was building for years between the "Haves" and the "Have Nots," and a horrific riot broke out during a production of Shakespeare's Macbeth after the venue cast British actor Charles Macready in the title role instead of Edwin Forrest, a beloved American actor.

The librettists Ms. Bell and Mr. Moomjy, used historical sources, such as diaries and memoirs from the opera house's impresario and the actors, to create this script. Ms. Bell and Mr. Moomjy wrote additional text to weave the various plotlines together. The witches from Shakespeare's Macbeth act as a Greek chorus commenting throughout the production, and music from several operas performed at the Astor Place Opera House was used throughout the show.

The witches, Ashley Galvani Bell, La Rivers, Jan Mizushima, and Liana Afuni, delivered noteworthy performances. They provided some much-needed comedic relief throughout the opera.

Michael Rudko was charismatic and likable as the impresario, Max Maretzek. He also served as the narrator of the piece and delivered his lines with such conviction and deep emotion that I often found myself fighting back the tears.

Nicholas Simpson and actor Greg Seel portrayed Edwin Forrest. Mr. Simpson, an impressive tenor, performed the arias with passion and power, and Greg Seel gave a memorable performance as Edwin Forrest.

Soprano Ashley Galvani Bell delivered her arias with style and grace. She has an incredible stage presence, and the audience loved her!

Michael Nansel and actor Nicholas Thomas both aced the role of Charles Macready. Mr. Nansel, a baritone, has a rich and emotionally powerful voice, and Mr. Thomas commanded the stage with his stellar portrayal of Charles Macready.

Kudos to the gifted musical director Sergio Martinez Zangroniz. He led the talented string quartet of musicians from the New Asia Chamber Music Society, run by the brilliant violist Andy Lin.

The multitalented ensembled included local students and adults from the community, and the Choral Society of the Hamptons gave a riveting performance as the show's chorus.

Keep your eyes open next Fall for another Divaria Production. You don't want to miss it!

Cindi Sansone-Braff is an award-winning playwright. She has a BFA in Theatre from UCONN and is a member of the Dramatists Guild and the Long Island Authors Group. She is the author of Grant Me a Higher Love, Why Good People Can't Leave Bad Relationships, and Confessions of a Reluctant Long Island Psychic. Two of her monologues from her full-length plays are featured in Smith and Kraus's The Best Men's Stage Monologues of 2022 and The Best Women's Stage Monologues of 2022. www.Grantmeahigherlove.com.

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