The Stayton at Museum Way retirement community hosted the inaugural “Behind the Curtain: Synopses, Selections, and Secrets from the Fort Worth Opera Festival 2016” featuring selections from Rossini’s The Barber of Seville. The new collaboration between Fort Worth Opera and The Stayton will include a series of three educational programs as an extension of the community’s Masterpiece Living® philosophy. Masterpiece Living promotes successful aging by providing residents with opportunities to enhance their spiritual, intellectual, social and physical wellness, including exposure to astounding artists and noteworthy speakers.
Three Fort Worth Opera resident artists performed, with piano accompaniment, selections from The Barber of Seville, which has been described as one of the greatest masterpieces of comedy within music. Darren K. Woods, general director of Fort Worth Opera, provided the informational “Opera 101” commentary about the opera, including the story, character descriptions and history behind the piece, with additional fun and interesting facts.
“Bringing Fort Worth Opera to our community helps foster a love of opera as musical entertainment that we can all enjoy,” said Scott Polzin, executive director of The Stayton. “The experience was made even more special by the intimacy of the performance and the enlightening educational component. We’re looking forward to hosting these amazing artists again early in 2016.”
Additional programs by Fort Worth Opera will take place in February, with a Buried Alive/Embedded focus, and in March, with a JFK focus. The Stayton will also host a tea following each performance for both the performers and those in attendance.
The Stayton at Museum Way offers exclusive events like “Behind the Curtain: Synopses, Selections, and Secrets from the Fort Worth Opera Festival 2016” to encourage continual learning. This Masterpiece Living philosophy includes hosting stimulating events that create opportunities for residents to remain engaged socially and with the arts.
PHOTOS BY BRUCE MAXWELL