DOCSLIB.ORG

Frosty Turandot Returns to Rule the Sydney Stage

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Frosty Turandot Returns to Rule the Sydney Stage MEDIA RELEASE 13 November 2018 Puccini | Directed by Graeme Murphy | Conducted by Christian Badea | Tahu Matheson Frosty Turandot returns to rule the Sydney stage January 15 – March 30, 2019 | Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House Starring | Amber Wagner | Andeka Gorrotxategi | Dragana Radakovic | Yonghoon Lee As temperatures rise in Sydney over summer, audiences will be treated to a cool change when Graeme Murphy’s bold vision of the icy princess Turandot bursts back into the Joan Sutherland Theatre in mid January. Murphy’s daring production for Puccini’s final opera is considered one of the ultimate classics in the Opera Australia repertoire. Featuring the director’s own famous choreography, sculptural stagecraft and larger than life costumes, this renowned staging of Turandot has transformed this already powerful drama into a spectacular piece of theatre. After stunning audiences with her role debut in Opera Australia’s 2018 digital production of Aida, American powerhouse soprano Amber Wagner makes her triumphant return to Sydney to take on the role of the brutal Turandot. Described as having “a voice that, used for evil, could bring down an army” (Sydney Morning Herald), Wagner is the perfect fit to play the impervious princess, and will be matched by Serbian soprano Dragana Radakovic who played the title role on Opera Australia’s Harbour stage in 2016 to great acclaim. Wagner and Radakovic will be joined on stage by two equally talented singers sharing the role of Turandot’s suitor, Calàf – the brilliant Spanish tenor Andeka Gorrotxategi and international Korean sensation Yonghoon Lee. Singing one of the most recognised tenor arias of all time – “Nessun dorma” which was popularised by the late great Luciano Pavarotti at the 1990 Football World Cup, Gorrotxategi and Lee will demonstrate why this powerful operatic showpiece has become such a global sensation. Romanian-American Maestro Christian Badea, a favourite at The Met in New York, having conducted there more than 160 times, returns to Australia to unleash Puccini’s sensational score. Sharing the conductor’s baton with Badea is Opera Australia’s own Tahu Matheson, who will close the season. A fantasy opera of poetry and myth, Turandot is set in an exotic world where fear and love go hand in hand and death is always just around the corner. Puccini buffs and first-time operagoers alike will be transported to another world, captivated by Turandot’s powerful score, mesmerising staging and captivating story. This is a must-see opera, guaranteed to impress. 1 Creatives Performance information Conductor Christian Badea (Jan 15–Feb 16), Tahu Evenings at 7.30pm Matheson (Feb 20–Mar 30) January 15, 18, 24, 29; February 1, 4, 7, 13, 16, 20, Director & Choreographer Graeme Murphy 23, 27; March 1, 5, 8, 12, 16, 19, 23, 27 Revival Director Kim Walker Saturday Matinees at 1.00pm February 9, March 30 Set Designer Kristian Frederikson Lighting Designer John Drummond Montgomery Running time Assistant Director Matthew Barclay Approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes including one interval. Cast Turandot Amber Wagner (Jan 15-16 Feb), Dragana Performed in Italian with English and Simplified Radakovic (Feb 20-Mar 30) Chinese surtitles. Calaf Andeka Gorrotxategi (Jan 15–Feb 1, Feb 27– Mar 30), Yonghoon Lee (Feb 4–23) Liù Mariana Hong Bookings Timur Richard Anderson Adult tickets from $47 (fees may apply) Ping Christopher Hillier Group and concession prices available for most Pang Virgilio Marino performances. Pong John Longmuir Student Rush available for most performances: $50 Emperor Graeme Macfarlane (fees may apply) Mandarin Andrew Moran Opera Australia Box Office (02) 9318 8200 www.opera.org.au Opera Australia Chorus Opera Australia Orchestra Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House Sydney Children’s Choir Media enquiries Madeleine Konstan | Publicist 02 9318 8242 | 0413 933 544 [email protected] .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Lectures and Community Engagement 2017­–18 About the Metropolitan Opera Guild
    Lectures and Community Engagement 2017 –18 About the Metropolitan Opera Guild The Metropolitan Opera Guild is the world’s premier arts educa- tion organization dedicated to enriching people’s lives through the magic and artistry of opera. Thanks to the support of individuals, government agencies, foundations, and corporate sponsors, the Guild brings opera to life both on and off the stage through its educational programs. For students, the Guild fosters personal expression, collaboration, literacy skills, and self-confidence with customized education programs integrated into the curricula of their schools. For adults, the Guild enhances the opera-going experience through intensive workshops, pre-performance talks, and community outreach programs. In addition to educational activities, the Guild publishes Opera News, the world’s leading opera magazine. With Opera News, the Guild reaches a global audience with the most insightful and up-to-date writing on opera available anywhere, helping to maintain opera as a thriving, contemporary art form. For more information about the Metropolitan Opera Guild and its programs, visit metguild.org. Additional information and archives of Opera News can be found online at operanews.com. How to Use This Booklet This brochure presents the 2017–18 season of Lectures and Community Programs grouped into thematic sections—programs that emphasize specific Met performances and productions; courses on opera and its history and culture; and editorial insights and interviews presented by our colleagues at Opera News. Courses of study are arranged chronologically, and learners of all levels are welcome. To place an order, please call the Guild’s ticketing line at 212.769.7028 (Mon–Fri 10AM–4PM).
    [Show full text]
  • Artist Biographies
    ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES Richard Gill AO | Artistic Director & Conductor in March 2019 Australian conductor and educator, Richard Gill, one of Australia's best-known and best-loved musical figures, is a significant and vital key member of ARCO. His career has taken him from teaching music in Sydney's western suburbs to Music Director of the Victorian Opera, Artistic Director of the Sydney Symphony Education Program, and along the way an involvement with almost every major opera company and orchestra in Australia. He is one of this country's pre-eminent conductors and a passionate advocate of music education. He specialises in opera, music theatre and vocal and choral training and his work in developing young musicians and creating opportunities for them is recognised world-wide. His appearances on the ABC’s “Spicks and Specks” and “Q&A” have made him a household name within and beyond Australia’s musical world. What truly distinguishes Richard is his passion and enthusiasm for spreading not just the joy of music, but its myriad benefits. He is Australia’s greatest musical educator, and many say one of the best in the world. His life's work - alongside his other roles - has been advocating music in our education system, and furthering the development of those who have gone on to choose music as a vocation. He brings music to life, and his knowledge and deep enjoyment of his subject is as inspiring and enlightening to a class of primary school students as it is to the cast of a major opera. The majority of Australia’s young contemporary professional musicians count Richard as a powerful influence on their musical development.
    [Show full text]
  • Emma Matthews
    Emma Matthews Soprano Curriculum Vitae Opera Repertoire Monteverdi LIncoronazione di Poppea Damigella OA Gillian Whitehead Bride of fortune Fiorina WAO Offenbach Orpheus in the Underworld Cupid WAO Les Contes d’Hoffmann Olympia, Giulietta, Antonia, Stella OA, SOSA Berg Lulu Lulu, OA Handel Alcina Morgana OA Rinaldo Almirena OA Orlando Angelica OA Giulio Cesare Cleopatra OA Mozart Die Zauberflote Papagena, WAO, OA Pamina OA Queen of the Night OA Le Nozze di Figaro Barbarina WAO, OA Cherubino OA Idomeneo Ilia OA La Clemenza di Tito Servillia OA Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail Blonde OA, Konstanze OA Mitridate, Re di Ponto Ismene, Sydney Festival Gilbert and Sullivan The Priates of Penzance Mabel OA The Mikado Yum Yum OA Alan Johns The Eighth Wonder Sky, Tour Guide Aunt Olive OA Bellini La Sonnambula Amina OA, SOSA I Capuleti e I Montecchi Giulietta OA Donizetti Lucia di Lammermoor Lucia OA, WAO La Fille du Regiment Marie OA L’Elisir d’amore Giannetta WAO Delibes Lakme Lakme OA Bizet Les Pecheurs de Perles Leila OA, WAO, OQ Janacek The Cunning Little Vixen The Vixen OA, ROH Richard Mills Batavia Zwaantie OA, WAO The Love of the Nightingale Philomele OA, WAO Gounod Romeo et Juliette Juliette OA Puccini Suor Angelica Genovieffa OA Kalman The Gypsy Princess Stasi OA J. Strauss Die Fledermaus Adele OA Massenet Werther Sophie OA R. Strauss Arabella Zdenka OA Der Rosenkavalier Sophie OA Rossini Il Barbiere di Siviglia Rosina OA, WAO Il Turco in Italia Fiorilla OA Il Signor Bruschino Sofia OA Verdi Un Ballo in Maschera Oscar OA Falstaff Nannetta OA Rigoletto Gilda OQ, OA La Traviata Violetta HOSH, OA Berlioz Beatrice et Benedict Hero OA Orchestral Repertoire Faure Requiem, Carmina Burana, C.
    [Show full text]
  • Renowned Singers Yonghoon Lee and Karah Son Lead Otelloin Sydney
    MEDIA RELEASE 7 June 2021 Verdi | Directed by Harry Kupfer | Conducted by Andrea Battistoni Renowned singers Yonghoon Lee and Karah Son lead Otello in Sydney July 16 - 29, 2021 | Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House Starring | Yonghoon Lee | Karah Son | Marco Vratogna This winter Opera Australia is presenting legendary German director Harry Kupfer’s highly acclaimed production of Otello, one of Verdi’s most magnificent works, with three internationally renowned singers leading a stellar cast. Distilled from Shakespeare’s masterpiece, Otello is an intense chamber-like piece that explores all the problems of the world, concentrated in the lives of the three main characters: Otello, Desdemona and Iago, three of Verdi’s most demanding roles, both vocally and dramatically. Internationally celebrated South Korean tenor Yonghoon Lee will, for the first time in his career, take on the titular role of war hero Otello. In his review of Lee’s 2016 Met performance in Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana, Dr Neil Kurtzman labelled Lee’s voice “exceptional” and “large” and predicted the role of Otello would be in his future, noting Lee has a “beautiful spinto voice that he uses with great skill and sensitivity; it’s bright and rings”1. Having performed at prestigious opera houses all over the world, Lee debuted with Opera Australia in 2013 in the lead role of Cavaradossi in Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca and has since returned to Australia multiple times, most recently to play Don Jose in Georges Bizet’s Carmen early last year (before it closed prematurely due to COVID 19). The incomparable Karah Son, whose captivating performance made OA’s Madama Butterfly a must-see in 2019, is expected to give a performance that is just as compelling in her long-awaited debut as Desdemona.
    [Show full text]
  • Opera Australia's 60Th Anniversary Costume and Memorabilia
    MEDIA RELEASE Own a piece of opera history: Opera Australia’s 60th anniversary costume and memorabilia exhibition and auction Exhibition | Saturday 24 – Thursday 29 June 2017 | The Opera Centre, Surry Hills, Sydney Auction | Friday 30 June – Saturday 1 July 2017 | The Opera Centre, Surry Hills, Sydney Opera Australia is diving into sixty years of costumes, accessories, artworks and memorabilia in an anniversary exhibition at The Opera Centre. The week-long event will culminate in an auction where the public can bid for an exclusive piece of Australia’s operatic story. This is the first time Opera Australia has opened its vaults to give thousands of opera fans the opportunity to get up close to over 2,000 items costumes, accessories, artworks and memorabilia worn and inspired by their idols. Highlights of the exhibition and auction include: Costumes from Baz Luhrmann’s famous 1990 production of La Bohème Dame Kiri Te Kanawa ONZ DBE AC’s costume for the role as ‘Violetta’ in the 1978 production of La Traviata Yvonne Kenny AM’s costume for the roles of ‘Sylva Varescu’ in the 2001 production of The Gypsy Princess, ‘Hanna’ in the 2004 production of The Merry Widow and ‘Armida’ in the 1999 production of Rinaldo Sigrid Thornton’s costume for the role of Desirée in 2009 production of A Little Night Music. Dame Heather Begg DNZM OBE’s costume for the role of ‘The Countess Di Coigny’ in the 2001 production of Andrea Chénier Cheryl Barker AO’s costume for the role of ‘Lauretta’ in 2007 production of Gianni Schicchi Opera Australia CEO Craig Hassall explained the motivation behind the historic move.
    [Show full text]
  • Il Trovatore Was Made Stage Director Possible by a Generous Gift from Paula Williams the Annenberg Foundation
    ilGIUSEPPE VERDItrovatore conductor Opera in four parts Marco Armiliato Libretto by Salvadore Cammarano and production Sir David McVicar Leone Emanuele Bardare, based on the play El Trovador by Antonio García Gutierrez set designer Charles Edwards Tuesday, September 29, 2015 costume designer 7:30–10:15 PM Brigitte Reiffenstuel lighting designed by Jennifer Tipton choreographer Leah Hausman The production of Il Trovatore was made stage director possible by a generous gift from Paula Williams The Annenberg Foundation The revival of this production is made possible by a gift of the Estate of Francine Berry general manager Peter Gelb music director James Levine A co-production of the Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and the San Francisco principal conductor Fabio Luisi Opera Association 2015–16 SEASON The 639th Metropolitan Opera performance of GIUSEPPE VERDI’S il trovatore conductor Marco Armiliato in order of vocal appearance ferr ando Štefan Kocán ines Maria Zifchak leonor a Anna Netrebko count di luna Dmitri Hvorostovsky manrico Yonghoon Lee a zucena Dolora Zajick a gypsy This performance Edward Albert is being broadcast live on Metropolitan a messenger Opera Radio on David Lowe SiriusXM channel 74 and streamed at ruiz metopera.org. Raúl Melo Tuesday, September 29, 2015, 7:30–10:15PM KEN HOWARD/METROPOLITAN OPERA A scene from Chorus Master Donald Palumbo Verdi’s Il Trovatore Musical Preparation Yelena Kurdina, J. David Jackson, Liora Maurer, Jonathan C. Kelly, and Bryan Wagorn Assistant Stage Director Daniel Rigazzi Italian Coach Loretta Di Franco Prompter Yelena Kurdina Assistant to the Costume Designer Anna Watkins Fight Director Thomas Schall Scenery, properties, and electrical props constructed and painted by Cardiff Theatrical Services and Metropolitan Opera Shops Costumes executed by Lyric Opera of Chicago Costume Shop and Metropolitan Opera Costume Department Wigs and Makeup executed by Metropolitan Opera Wig and Makeup Department Ms.
    [Show full text]
  • The American Opera Series May 16 – November 28, 2015
    The American Opera Series May 16 – November 28, 2015 The WFMT Radio Network is proud to make the American Opera Series available to our affiliates. The American Opera Series is designed to complement the Metropolitan Opera Broadcasts, filling in the schedule to complete the year. This year the American Opera Series features great performances by the Lyric Opera of Chicago, LA Opera, San Francisco Opera, Glimmerglass Festival and Opera Southwest. The American Opera Series for 2015 will bring distinction to your station’s schedule, and unmatched enjoyment to your listeners. Highlights of the American Opera Series include: • The American Opera Series celebrates the Fourth of July (which falls on a Saturday) with Lyric Opera of Chicago’s stellar production of George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess. • LA Opera brings us The Figaro Trilogy, including Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, and John Corigliano’s The Ghosts of Versailles. • The world premiere of Marco Tutino’s Two Women (La Ciociara) starring Anna Caterina Antonacci, based on the novel by Alberto Moravia that became a classic film, staged by San Francisco Opera. • Opera Southwest’s notable reconstruction of Franco Faccio’s 1865 opera Amleto (Hamlet), believed lost for over 135 years, in its American premiere. In addition, this season we’re pleased to announce that we are now including multimedia assets for use on your station’s website and publications! You can find the supplemental materials at the following link: American Opera Series Supplemental Materials Please note: If you have trouble accessing the supplemental materials, please send me an email at [email protected] Program Hours* Weeks Code Start Date Lyric Opera of Chicago 3 - 5 9 LOC 5/16/15 LA Opera 2 ½ - 3 ¼ 6 LAO 7/18/15 San Francisco Opera 1 ¾ - 4 ¾ 10 SFO 8/29/15 Glimmerglass Festival 3 - 3 ½ 3 GLI 11/7/15 Opera Southwest Presents: Amleto 3 1 OSW 11/28/15 Los Angeles Opera’s Production of The Ghosts of Versailles Credit: Craig Henry *Please note: all timings are approximate, and actual times will vary.
    [Show full text]
  • Opera Australia 2018 Annual Report
    2018 ANNUAL REPORT Cover image: Simon Lobelson as Gregor in Metamorphosis, which played at the Opera Australia Scenery Workshop in Enriching Australia’s Surry Hills and the Malthouse cultural life with Theatre in Melbourne. exceptional opera. One of Opera Australia’s new Vision productions, it was written by Australian Brian Howard, performed by an all Australian cast To present opera that excites and produced by an all Australian audiences and sustains and creative team. Photo: develops the art form. Prudence Upton Mission TABLE OF CONTENTS At a glance 3 Artistic Sydney Screens on stage 32 Director’s Report 12 Conservatorium Productions: of Music 2018 awards 34 performances and Regional Tour 13 Internships 23 attendances 4 China tour 36 Regional Student Professional and Artists 38 Season star ratings 5 Scholarships 16 Talent Development 24 Orchestra 39 Revenue and expenditure 6 Schools Tour 18 Evita 26 Philanthropy 40 Australia’s biggest Auslan Handa Opera arts employer 7 shadow-interpreting 20 on Sydney Harbour – Opera Australia Community reach 8 Community events 21 La Bohème 28 Capital Fund 43 Chairman’s Report 10 NSW Regional New works Staff 46 Conservatoriums in development 30 Partners 48 Chief Executive Project 22 Officer’s Report 11 opera.org.au 2 At a glance 77% Self-generated revenue $61mBox office 1351 jobs provided 543,500 58,000 attendees student attendees 7 637 productions new to Australia performances opera.org.au 3 Productions Productions Performances Attendance A Night at the Opera, Sydney 1 2,182 Performances and total attendances Aida, Sydney 19 26,266 By the Light of the Moon, Victorian Schools tour 85 17,706 Carmen, Sydney 13 18,536 Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Melbourne 4 6,175 Don Quichotte, Melbourne 4 5,269 Don Quichotte, Sydney 6 7,889 Great Opera Hits 2018 27 23,664 La Bohème, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour 26 48,267 La Bohème, Melbourne 7 11,228 La Bohème, New Year 1 1,458 The chorus of Bizet’s Carmen, directed by John Bell.
    [Show full text]
  • Richard Gill AO (1941 - 2018)
    Having trouble viewing this email? You can view it online. Like | @LivePerfAust | Follow | Forward VALE Richard Gill AO (1941 - 2018) We are very saddened to hear of the passing of world-renowned composer, conductor and music educator Richard Gill AO. The inaugural Dean of the West Australian Conservatorium of Music and Founding Director of Victorian Opera died on Sunday 28 October after a year-long battle with cancer. Born in Sydney, Richard started his career as a music teacher. These humble beginnings led him to become one of Australia's greatest music advocates and educators. 'Richard spent a life systematically addressing the widespread shortcomings and neglect of music in Australia’s education system' the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra said in a statement posted on social media. For almost 50 years Richard's career compromised many prominent roles as Director of orchestral ensembles around Australia. Richard was Dean of the Western Australian Conservatorium of Music, Chorus Director for Opera Australia, Founding Music Director of Victorian Opera and Musical Director of the Sydney Chamber Choir. Richard also hosted music-education concerts and was a regular guest on TV quiz show Spicks and Specks. One of Richard's lasting legacies is the National Music Teaching Mentoring Program which commenced in 2015. With Richard as the Founder and Director, the program was established to give school teachers the skills and confidence to teach music in their classrooms. Richard will be remembered for his enormous contribution to the arts and his passion to inspire and educate the next generation. He is survived by his wife Maureen, children Claire and Anthony, and grandchildren Camille, Elise and Antoinette.Our thoughts and sincerest condolences are with Richard's family, friends and colleagues.
    [Show full text]
  • 11-03-2018 Carmen Eve.Indd
    GEORGES BIZET carmen conductor Opera in four acts Omer Meir Wellber Libretto by Henri Meilhac and production Sir Richard Eyre Ludovic Halévy, based on the novella by Prosper Mérimée set and costume designer Rob Howell Saturday, November 3, 2018 lighting designer 1:00–4:25 PM Peter Mumford choreographer Christopher Wheeldon revival stage director Paula Williams The production of Carmen was made possible by a generous gift from Mrs. Paul Desmarais Sr. general manager Peter Gelb jeanette lerman-neubauer music director Yannick Nézet-Séguin 2018–19 SEASON The 1,012th Metropolitan Opera performance of GEORGES BIZET’S carmen conductor Omer Meir Wellber in order of vocal appearance mor alès le dancaïre Adrian Timpau** Javier Arrey micaël a le remendado Guanqun Yu Scott Scully don josé Yonghoon Lee solo dancers Maria Kowroski zuniga Martin Harvey Richard Bernstein carmen Clémentine Margaine fr asquita Sydney Mancasola mercédès Sarah Mesko escamillo Kyle Ketelsen Saturday, November 3, 2018, 1:00–4:25PM MARTY SOHL / MET OPERA Clémentine Margaine Chorus Master Donald Palumbo in the title role of Musical Preparation Derrick Inouye, Liora Maurer, and Bizet’s Carmen Bénédicte Jourdois* Fight Director J. Allen Suddeth Assistant Stage Directors Sara Erde and Jonathon Loy Stage Band Conductor Jeffrey Goldberg Met Titles Sonya Friedman Children’s Chorus Director Anthony Piccolo Movement Coach Sara Erde Associate Costume Designer Irene Bohan Scenery, properties, and electrical props constructed and painted by Metropolitan Opera Shops Costumes executed by Art for Art Theater Service GmbH, Vienna; Justo Algaba S.L., Madrid; Carelli Costumes, New York, and Metropolitan Opera Costume Department Wigs and Makeup executed by Metropolitan Opera Wig and Makeup Department This production uses gunshot effects.
    [Show full text]
  • Season Premiere of Tosca Glitters
    2019–20 Season Repertory and Casting Casting as of November 12, 2019 *Met debut The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess By George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward, and Ira Gershwin New Production Sep 23, 27, 30, Oct 5mat, 10, 13mat, 16, Jan 8, 11, 15, 18, 24, 28, Feb 1mat Conductor: David Robertson Bess: Angel Blue/Elizabeth Llewellyn* Clara: Golda Schultz/Janai Brugger Serena: Latonia Moore Maria: Denyce Graves Sportin’ Life: Frederick Ballentine* Porgy: Eric Owens/Kevin Short Crown: Alfred Walker Jake: Ryan Speedo Green/Donovan Singletary Production: James Robinson* Set Designer: Michael Yeargan Costume Designer: Catherine Zuber Lighting Designer: Donald Holder Projection Designer: Luke Halls The worldwide copyrights in the works of George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin for this presentation are licensed by the Gershwin family. GERSHWIN is a registered trademark of Gershwin Enterprises. Porgy and Bess is a registered trademark of Porgy and Bess Enterprises. A co-production of the Metropolitan Opera; Dutch National Opera, Amsterdam; and English National Opera Production a gift of The Sybil B. Harrington Endowment Fund Additional funding from Douglas Dockery Thomas Manon Jules Massenet Sep 24, 28mat, Oct 2, 5, 19, 22, 26mat ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ PRESS DEPARTMENT The Metropolitan Opera Press: 212.870.7457 [email protected] 30 Lincoln Center Plaza General: 212.799.3100 metopera.org New York, NY 10023 Fax: 212.870.7606 Conductor: Maurizio Benini Manon: Lisette Oropesa Chevalier des Grieux: Michael Fabiano Guillot de Morfontaine: Carlo Bosi Lescaut: Artur Ruciński de Brétigny: Brett Polegato* Comte des Grieux: Kwangchul Youn Production: Laurent Pelly Set Designer: Chantal Thomas Costume Designer: Laurent Pelly Lighting Designer: Joël Adam Choreographer: Lionel Hoche Associate Director: Christian Räth A co-production of the Metropolitan Opera; Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London; Teatro alla Scala, Milan; and Théâtre du Capitole de Toulouse Production a gift of The Sybil B.
    [Show full text]
  • Opera Company of Middlebury UPDATE Fall 2013
    Opera Company of Middlebury UPDATE Fall 2013 From our Artistic Director Douglas Anderson A lot of comic opera isn’t very funny. Granted, in the largest sense “comedy” simply means that everything ends well. You know the drill: the good guys win, the bad guys are punished, and they throw in a couple of marriages for good measure. But I like comic opera to be We received a lot of laughs a few years back with our production of Rossini’s Barber of Seville every day to work with his music. That music—effervescent, irreverent, and faster than all get out—accomplishes a very rare thing. Even if you don’t understand the Italian lyrics, the music makes you laugh. The music alone can carry an audience (and a cast of singers) to a giddy height. I was determined to get back to Rossini, especially as our recent productions have been in the heavier, more tragic repertory. So next June Maestro Plasson and I will tackle Rossini’s L’Italiana in Algeri (An Italian Girl in Algiers), which to my mind is one of the funniest operas ever written. Someone once said that if the Three Stooges had written an opera libretto, it would look something like L’Italiana. (Continued on Page 6) From our Music Director Emmanuel Plasson Rossini’s operatic music has this wonderful sparkly and bouncy spirit to it that can inspire and excite our audiences. It doesn’t only offer a fantastic showcase for singers but also L’Italiana in Algeri is one of Rossini’s most accomplished and brilliant comic operas.
    [Show full text]