MEDIA RELEASE Mascagni | Leoncavallo | Directed by Damiano Michieletto | Conducted by Andrea Licata Cavalleria Rusticana & Pagliacci 10 – 20 May | State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne Starring | Diego Torre | Dragana Radakovic | José Carbó | Anna Princeva
Opera Australia is giving audiences a rare opportunity to experience a classic operatic double- bill when they present celebrated director Damiano Michieletto’s new Olivier Award-winning production of Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci at the Arts Centre Melbourne this autumn. This co-production with the Royal Opera House is a classic of the ‘verismo movement’ and presents a slice of life from the small villages of Southern Italy, laying bare the raw heart of each story – ordinary people, driven by betrayal, passion, jealousy and revenge, emotions stretched to the limits. Although a different composer wrote each opera, it has been a long-standing tradition that they are performed together. In this production, Michieletto implies that both happen in the same town on the same night and are inextricably linked. Opera Australia Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini has wanted to do Cavalleria Rusticana / Pagliacci for some time. “I think audiences are going to love this new production. These two operas are tremendously powerful and the cast is simply brilliant. “In particular, it is a treat to see Diego Torre perform the two challenging roles on the one night and we’re thrilled that Dragana Radakovic has returned to Australia after her fantastic performance in Handa Opera on the Harbour - Turandot. She’s the perfect choice for the intensity of Santuzza. I saw Russian singer Anna Princeva perform Così fan tutte in Switzerland and knew she’d be fabulous as Nedda in Pagliacci,” he said. The all-star cast also includes Opera Australia Principal Artists José Carbó, Dominica Matthews, Sian Pendry, Samuel Dundas and John Longmuir. This is the first time acclaimed Italian director Damiano Michieletto has directed for Opera Australia, and Andrea Licata (Luisa Miller, Don Carlos) will return to conduct. Winning the Olivier Award for Best New Opera in 2016, Michieletto’s production garnered high critical acclaim, with The Independent calling it “A triumphant evening” and Harper’s Bazaar (UK) describing it as “Genuinely clever”. This will be a highlight of Melbourne’s autumn season.
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Creatives Performance information Conductor Andrea Licata Evenings at 7.30pm Director Damiano Michieletto May 10, 13, 15, 17, 20 Revival Director Andy Morton Running time Three hours including one interval. Set Designer Paolo Fantin Performed in Italian with English surtitles. Costume Designer Carla Teti Lighting Designer Alessandro Carletti Bookings Adult tickets from $65 (fees may apply)
Group and concession prices available Cast for most performances. Cavalleria Rusticana Student Rush available for most Turiddu Diego Torre performances: $50 (fees may apply) Santuzza Dragana Radakovic Opera Australia Box Office Alfio José Carbó (03) 9685 3700 www.opera.org.au Mamma Lucia Dominica Matthews
Lola Sian Pendry State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne
Pagliacci Co-production with the Royal Opera Canio Diego Torre House, Göteborg Opera Sweden and La Nedda Anna Princeva Monnaie Brussels. Tonio José Carbó Silvio Samuel Dundas Beppe John Longmuir
Media enquiries With Orchestra Victoria and the Opera Janet Glover | PR Manager Australia Chorus 02 9318 8246 | 0412 601 816