This fall, Festival Opera journeys to the richly-nuanced culture of India for a presentation of two noteworthy chamber operas: one classical - Gustav Holst's Savitri - and one contemporary: Jack Perla and Chitra Divakaruni's River of Light.
   Gustav Holst is widely recognized as the composer of The Planets, however most are not aware of his fascination with the land and culture of India. Savitri is a chamber opera in one act, Holst's Opus 25, with the libretto by Holst himself. Read the story. 
   Bay Area composer and pianist Jack Perla is active in opera, jazz, chamber and symphonic music. River of Light, written with librettist and New York Times bestselling author Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, received its premiere with Houston Grand Opera in March 2014.
   The story of River of Light: Having moved from India, Meera loves her new husband, her high-powered job, and the Houston lifestyle - until the birth of her daughter makes her long to recreate authentic Diwali traditions at home. The tale unfolds in about 30 minutes with a score that draws extensively on North Indian ragas and an orchestra that mixes Western instruments with sitar and the tabla.
   Coloratura soprano Maya Kherani will sing the principal roles in each opera - Savitri and Meera.
The cast of Savitri also features tenor Jorge Garza as Satyavan and bass-baritone Philip Skinner as Death. Baritone Danil Cilli sings the role of Meera's husband Burton, in River of Light, and Molly Mahoney and Michael Boley sing the roles of their neighbors.
  John Kendall Bailey conducts, and Tanya Kane-Parry directs. Antonia Minnecola is choreographer of the classical Indian dance elements. 
   Savitri also includes a wordless female chorus, directed by Bailey. More production information at FestivalOpera. Tickets go on sale September 28. Click here for TICKET INFO.