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'Evito as we By Robert Brazell Staff Writer There aren't many people now who haven't heard the name Evita, largely due to the fact that there is currently a very successful Broadway show that goes by that same name. The second collaborative effort of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice (the first was "Jesus Christ Superstar" in 1970), "Evita" was released as an album in 1976 and was staged in England two years later. After an admirable success there it hit the American stages in a series of successful runs which culminated last year in the winning of seven Tony qnrar/^c anrl fhie imo?? ir* UTTMt UO UIIU VlllO J VU JL 111 Hit winning of a Grammy. With all of this positive reaction to "Evita" the premiere American recording must be viewed as an important one since it gives everyone a chance to hear this fine work. "EVITA" IS THE story of Maria Eva Duarte, who rose from complete obscurity to become the wife of Colonel Juan Peron and, subsequently, the first lady of Arcff?ntir?a Th i c tnov c<u>m ft ^VllVlllUt A IlltJ 111UJ OWUJI unusual subject matter for an opera, but it is no exaggeration to say that Eva Peron was one of the most controversial women of this century. The intrigue lies in the fact that there are two extremely different evaluations of her life. According to one view she was a saint and a defender of the poor, without whom Peron could never have been elected. According to another view she was a shrewd call girl who was lucky enough to become the mistress of Argentina's future president. In all likelihood, both sources are partly right but, due to the political turmoil of the times, were distorted. The opera deals with the facts and speculations of Evita's life with accuracy and objectivity. There are only about five major roles with the plot revolving primarily around Evita (Patti Lupone) Colonel Peron (Bob Gunton) and a young revolutionary named Che (Mandy Patinkin). The character Che is based on the legendary Che Guevara who grew up in Argentina and was opposed to the Peronistas. Che is the narrator of the story, * : ? suiuciuuca KtAiug pui i in nit; action and sometimes merely aiding in the transition from one scene to the next. In many ways he is similar to Judas Iscariot in "Jesus Christ Superstar" for he is the constant critic of Eva just as Judas is the critic of Jesus. "EVITA" IS ALSO similar to "Superstar" in its basic theme; Webber and Rice attempt in both cases to cut through the myth of an historical figure and reveal an accurate picture of the individual's personality. This formula works even better in "Evita" than it did in "Superstar" and reveals a woman who can be both despised for her ruthlessness and admired for her ability to survive. Musically speaking, "Evita" sparkles. It opens in a rather novel way: there is fa gloi Mas a ( SLM 1 no overture. Instead the curtain rises on the scene of a theater in Buenos Aires where the film is interrupted by the announcement of Evita's death. The first music in the opera is a beautifully somber requiem being sung at Eva's funeral (Eva Peron died of cancer at the age of thirty-three). Che enters and the music shifts to an energetic drive that sets the pace for the rest of the show. Che's solo here is one of the best scenes in the entire opera. Che proceeds to tell Evita's story from her r ? ! Any size sc ! Vapr | with pure i any hoi ! with this ( i Good Today on i J nous c i fine i ^7 beginnings in provincial Argentina to her death. The cyclic form of the story and its inherent perfection should be obvious. In ad~ iu? >:J: -e ?i_i. uiuuu iu nit: uuiuess ui piui the music used to tell the story is composed of a wide variety of themes skillfully intertwined. Some fans of "Superstar" may not be as satisfied with "Evita" as it is not as heavily laced with rock. There are, however, some very lovely songs that should appeal to almost anyone including, "Another Suitcase in Another Hall" and the exquisite aria, ift drink Ice u S hase of tdog ! :oupon. | ilY 3/2/81 J . lj , /at . ^rr^r Mi "Father...I have reveal love you have for me m< Tuesdi "I have told uou this sc 15:11) Willie Flores is tin guest speaker. Willie tfi school at the University have an effec t on all our xlhum >/ay "Don't Cry For Me Argentina". Some of these songs were hit singles in Europe but "Evita" seems to have been wrongfully negiected in this country by the record buying public. THERE ARE flaws with the opera as well as with this recording. As for the recording, there seem to be some balance problems. The choral and orchestral tracks aren't very loud while the soloists tend to blare out. On a more basic level the opera seems a bit too short. (?S I Depart!] Each 3 to 6 hours c I Call Amei In a world of uncertainty let us look to... THES< dates: March 9th and 10tt time: 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m place: Rutledge Chapel (on the horseshoe) speaker: Willie Flores snday - The He ed you to them, and will contlni jy be theirs and that / myself ma iy - The Hope < > that my Joy may Ih> In yon and ; campus minister for the Belnio ew up In New York City and Mi; of Florida. Willie is a powerful an lives - Please come and Join us. EVERYONE - THE ROLLS OF Rf WE'VE GOT THE TOP OF T ALL THE EXTRAS, AT THE OUR EXTRAS INCLUDE: Spotless Legal and Letter Copies Reductions Coi Two-Sided Copies Cop Colored Paper Cardstoc Labels Your Letternea Hours Mori Thurs . 8 30 7 00 Friday 8:30 6 00 Saturday 10 00 5:00 Signic am Budweisero Pres< 1981 Deri Monday, March 2: Derby decorating party (Sigma Chi lounge) Tuesday, March 3: Derby snatch begins Skits at Casey Home Decorated Derby contest (Sigma Chi lounge) Wednesday, March 4: Derby snatch Field events (Field A) Easy s Derby Night!! Thursday, March 5: Derby snatch Band party featuring The Original Drifters (Blu Crowning of Derby Darlln< Drawing for Hilton Head v * Events Op Wmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmaammmmmmm J European T tig May 14 ~ A Tedit lean Internation 254-5687 JESUS: 3URCE OI sponsoi 1 - carripue >pe of Real Lc le to make you known tn orde y be In them." (John 17:20) )f Lasting Jo; that your Joy may be complei nt Church of Christ In Pueblo, ami. He became a Christian In id dynamic speaker - the things IS INVITED i N EPRODUCTION ^L^jt ^ HE LINE COPIER WITH ECONOMICAL PRICE OF lati0n r Copy ieson Kr | k i huh nm m Beimh 933 MAIN STREET 799-3807 1 I I iCht d f Columbia ant by Days 3:00 p.m.?12:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m.?5:00 p.m. 1:00 a.m. 8:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m.?12:00 p.m. 1:30 a.m.?5:30 p.m. 8:00 a.m.?5:00 p.m. 8:30 p.m. ff Road Armory) \ 3 acation en To Public ] our | I Weeks I $1,950.001 tal Travel | ''HOPE 1 red by: ? g advance >ve ?r that the y le. "(John j , Colorado. He will be our i Miami and then went to i he will share with us will - ^