Mozart’s
The Clemency of Tito’s Tennis Club
A Picnic Operetta
Produced by Mixed Precipitation
Join us on Saturday, September 14, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. at the NYM Sculpture Park for a one-of-a-kind outdoor music theater experience featuring a new adaptation of Mozart’s opera, La Clemenza di Tito, with high stakes sports drama, natural disasters, and ‘80s new wave music!
In this adaptation of Mozart’s opera, a rag-tag group of players is resurrecting a defunct tennis club. But backstabbing, bitterness, and a murderous revenge plot threaten their rise to the top of Rome’s championship match. Will they find redemption before Mount Vesuvius covers them in ash? When can cheaters be forgiven?
All is presented with the Picnic Operetta’s trademark style of playfulness, satire, and hope. Classic arias and duets from Mozart’s La Clemenza di Tito soar across the garden alongside new wave and synth-pop hits by Devo, Berlin, Yaz, and Pat Benatar.
Our operatic athletes will serve the audience some fresh edible bites as well.
Mozart wrote La Clemenza in 1791. It premiered two months before his death at age 35. It was commissioned for the coronation of Leopold II, King of Bohemia, and upholds a clear political agenda — reinforcing the wisdom and benevolence of the aristocracy.
Producing Artistic Director Scotty Reynolds states, “Using athletic events as the site of corruption, call-outs, and cheating is a metaphor for events that test the strength of empathy and forgiveness. In our version, we want to wrestle with forgiveness and clemency, not as something that is handed down by those in power, but something that can come from community healing.”
Celebrating its 11th season, the company brings an edible opera adventure to parks, farms, and gardens throughout MN in August and September.
What is “A Picnic Operetta” anyway??
An edible opera adventure for the whole family, A Picnic Operetta marks its 11-year tradition of celebrating the harvest with a unique blend of music, food, and storytelling, with a goal of making opera accessible to all.
Created by Producing Artistic Director Scotty Reynolds, Artistic Associate Jacob Miller, Music Director Gary Ruschman, and the Mixed Precipitation team, this late summer harvest celebration offers local flavors with picnic bites shared with the audience. It’s fun for everyone!
“It’s the most magical afternoon I’ve had since childhood. The birds, butterflies, slight breeze, delicious morsels of food, communal atmosphere, and of course the fantastic performance by your company had me charmed beyond my expectations.”
– Audience Member at the J.D. Rivers’ Children’s Garden, North Minneapolis
This performance is produced by Mixed Precipitation, presented by the New York Mills Cultural Center, and sponsored by Perham Health. It will take place outdoors at the New York Mills Sculpture Park, located at the intersection of Highway 10 and Broadway Avenue in New York Mills, MN.
Reservations are free and strongly encouraged. The performance is offered for a suggested donation, $10-$20. Donations are a critical source of funding for The Picnic Operetta and can be made with your reservation or collected at the performance. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
We provide blankets, bug spray, and sunscreen for our audience, but patrons are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and water.
Access
We are prepared to provide reasonable accommodation to patrons with physical disabilities and those using access services. Our performance is designed for an outdoor garden venue. A sighted guide is suggested for visually impaired patrons. Please call Audience Services Lead Anna Hashizume (763-913-7672) for parking suggestions and access accommodations for each unique venue.
Click here to make a reservation and/or donation now: Picnic Operetta NYM Reservations
Or, give us a call at 218-385-3339 to make a reservation or ask a question.
Come experience music, humor, food and community with us at the NYM Sculpture Park on September 14th!
