Goddesses Unite!

An Opera Theatre Proves That Librettos Can Be a Total Drag

The word “diva” is Latin for “goddess.” Back when that dead language was alive, the concept of diva was reserved for a royal woman who would be deified — made into a goddess — after her death, a personal redefinition of the most extraordinary sort. After a millennium or two, the word worked itself into the Italian language where it described a female opera singer whose fame surpassed her lifespan, echoing into the far-flung future. The modern English version of the word satisfies multiple possible definitions: a woman of enormous talent; a woman of enormous influence; a woman of enormous temperament. 

The art form most associated with divas, opera, might itself, like the OG divas, need redefinition. Opera operates within the shadow of old meanings and negative stereotypes: overdressed, overweight performers over performing overdressed, overweight songs, sopranos and tenors telling over-the-top tales of madness or death or both.

Happily, a troupe of local troupers is ready to do that work by combining two creative expressions that might, at first glance, seem as compatible as liquid foundation and five o’clock shadow.

“DIVAS & DRAG showcases the art of drag and the spectacle of opera,” declares the hybrid event’s website. “Drag and opera artists forge their brilliance for unforgettable mashups celebrating self-expression through the most spectacular art forms ever to grace the stage.”

One trait that the disparate art forms share is a pronounced sense of self.

“DIVAS & DRAG is a celebration of identity, of all the beautiful, expressive ways that we know ourselves,” declares Kelly M. Turpin. “For audiences who have joined us for D&D in years past, it’s going to be like nothing they’ve seen before. And for D&D newbies, it’s time to come aboard this one-of-a-kind celebration of art and love.”

Turpin ought to know, as she is the Executive Director & Producer of An Opera Theatre, the creative organization that presents D&D. This manifestation is just one of many meant “to create a company that inspires community engagement by utilizing local Minnesota artists of the highest caliber and presenting opera theatre works focused on social justice and community action.”

The current presentation is the third iteration of this particular community action.

“This year, DIVAS & DRAG pays homage to variety shows of the early 1960s,” the website elaborates, “when opera on TV was still in fashion!”

The refashioning, the redefinition will be hosted by local drag legend Dick von Dyke and burlesque artist Queenie von Curves. The hosts will add a new feature to the one-hundred-minute-long show: real-time, in-house interviews with the gathered artists.

The artists include four local opera singers: Corissa Bussian, Justin Anthony Spenner, Kara Morgan, and Maurice Fields III. Their do-re-mi-ing will catalyze the Twin Cities’ most accomplished drag and burlesque artists as they do their cosa on stage: Andre 1,000, Corissa Bussian, Del the Funky Homosexual, Jared Mikach, Justin Anthony Spenner, Kara Morgan, Luma Notti, Maurice Fields, Miss Ava Cado, Texas Tea Cake$, Victoria DeVille, and Zetta Laveau.

“Together,” a recent press release promises, “they will perform new routines set to live opera performances.”

These will be complemented by pianist Jared Miller.

“Together” is key, is the key … but for together to happen, members of the community have to show up. For members of the community to show up, certain allowances are made.

Explains AOT’s website, “Our first steps toward this goal include offering ‘pay as you are able’ ticket options, providing opera education immersion classes for ESL and immigrant communities, and community partnerships with local social non-profit organizations.”

The operatic redefining that will take place during DIVAS & DRAG will do so at a location that has just recently endured a profound redefinition of its own. The local community rallied to save the decades-old Victoria Theater Arts Center from the ignoble fate of becoming a parking lot … and, having spared it that ignoble fate, gave it a modern name and a modern identity that better reflects the modern community: 825 Arts.

The modern community might well be redefined as it bears witness to the redefinition of two art forms which are, at their disparate cores, celebrations of identity, both individual and collective … or, as AOT themselves put it, “Art should always be of and for the people and that is what An Opera Theatre is all about.”

DIVAS & DRAG
September 19-23, 2024
825 ARTS
825 University Ave. W.
St. Paul, MN 55104
www.anoperatheatre.org/divas-and-drag-2024
www.tix.gobo.show/events/event/cNxVQYb5sfYrnbP7QagP