Opera Club to view Heggie’s ‘Moby Dick’ in Learning Center
All are welcome to watch a free screening of “Moby Dick” on Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 2:30 p.m. in the Clubhouse 3 Learning Center. Based on the 19th century novel of the same title by Herman Melville, this riveting story was set to music by Jake Heggie with a libretto by Gene Scheer.
More than simply an adventurous whale hunt for boys, this tale will be introduced by President Margaret Gillon as a story of human obsession, revenge and ambition, along with the capacity to distinguish good from evil.
Act 1 introduces the audience to the crew of the Pequod, a whaling ship based out of Nantucket, with a harpooner Queeequeg, a first mate Starbuck, a second and a third mate, along with a new sailor Greenhorn—all under the orders of Captain Ahab who wears a wooden leg, having been maimed by a white whale whom he named Moby Dick. While the new sailor seeks to learn more from the harpoonist, the crew talks mostly about life aboard the ship, especially the Captain’s objective to find and destroy the whale that bit off his leg.
In Act 2, the harpoonist falls ill. Thinking he may die, he prepares work on his own casket for burial at sea. When a storm ensues, the Captain of a neighboring vessel, Rachel, contacts the Pequod calling for help in finding his son who was lost in the storm. However, Captain Ahab is undeterred in his quest, having caught sight of a pod of whales after one long year at sea, among which he sees the white whale. The whaling boats get lowered, harpoonists are armed, and the hunt begins. The music soars.
The epilogue finds the young sailor, Greenhorn, clinging to the abandoned wooden coffin after Moby Dick rammed the two whaleboats, dragged Captain Ahab into the sea, and sunk the Pequod. The Captain of the Rachel finds only Greenhorn alive to tell the tale.
The production is in English with English subtitles. People are encouraged to wear masks indoors, if desired. No dues or fees are collected. For more information contact Margaret Gillon at 562-370-3844 or email Margaretgi@yahoo.com.
—Sylvan Von Berg
