The Friends of the Mary Wilson Library branch will present an opera and comedy magic show at 3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 10. The program is free.
Patrick Bell will perform “Opera-Kadabra!” in the Senior Center, adjacent to the library, at 707 Electric Ave., Seal Beach.
Bell created “Opera-Kadabra” in 2005 so people could learn to enjoy opera without the study that is usually required.
The magic act is designed to illustate the meaning of arias.
Bell’s goal: to make opera accessible.
Bell, a baritone and magician, launched his career as a professional magician at age 13 in Healdsburg, Calif.
For a decade now, he has earned a living as both a magician and singer in Southern California.
He has enjoyed several seasons with the Los Angeles Opera Chorus and the “Hour of Power” TV ministry at the Crystal Cathedral Choir.
As part of his act, Bell escapes from a straight jacket—preferably in time to begin singing a piece from the classic opera “The Barber of Seville.”
“Entertainment being the most basic goal,” Bell said. “It’s truly exciting to me that I have the ability to introduce classical music to a generation of MTV kids.”
“Opera-Kadabera” includes “The Toreador Song” from Bizet’s “Carmen;” “Di Provenza il mar, il suol” from Verdi’s “La Traviata” and “Largo al factotum” from Rossini’s “Il Barbiere Di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville.”
For more information about Bell or Opera-Kadabera, call (818) 789-0014, visit www.operakadabra.com or e-mail patrick@operakadabra.
