Family's Opera Performances Draw Raves

Warren residents Peter, Karole and Kimberly Lewis drew a standing ovation after the Eastern Opera's Aug. 11 performance of "Otello."

The family members took on the key roles of Otello and Desdemona, and Emilia for Kimberly, in the show at the College of Saint Elizabeth's Dolan Hall.

Patron Michael Markowitz said the husband-and-wife duo "added a poignant and palpable presence in their duets.

"Peter had an imposing physical presence with a gleaming rich tenor voice which became harsher and edgier as Otello sinks deeper into mad jealousy," Markowitz said. "His almost brotherly love for Iago was noticeable, not once suspecting his friend was full of such treachery.

"And as for Karole Lewis' assumption of Desdemona, I think it was the finest reading of the role I've ever seen—her voice and acting gave a complete portrait of the character, from rhapsodic devotion to her husband in Act One, to the warm sympathy towards her people and to Cassio, her uncomprehending humiliation in Act Three, and her almost unbearable grief and sadness in her rendition of the 'Willow Song' and prayer in Act Four as she prepares for her fate. What an extraordinary singing actress,” he added.

The roles of Otello and Desdemona are double cast, with John Tedeschi, of Brooklyn, and Victoria Wefer, of Union, scheduled to perform in the lead roles on Friday and Sunday.

Tickets for the Eastern Opera's scaled-down, "semi-staged" "Otello" scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, 8 p.m. Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday, at the Brook Theater, 10 Hamilton St., Bound Brook are available.

The Warren-based Eastern Opera Corp. was formed to encourage and instruct individuals for the purpose of improving and developing their capabilities, to educate the public on subjects useful to the individual and beneficial to the community, and to promote the arts and culture to the local communities. The first opera performance, Puccini’s "Madama Butterfly," given in May, was also met with standing ovations.