Florida Grand Opera Announces 2011-2012 Season: Two Important Company “Firsts”
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N E W S PRESS ROOM ◙ PHOTOS Alejandra Serna, PR Manager RELEASE 305-854-1643 ext. 1320 [email protected] Florida Grand Opera Announces 2011-2012 Season: Two Important Company “Firsts” MIAMI – July 27, 2011 – Florida Grand Opera announces the productions for the 2011-2012 season - the company’s 71st consecutive year of grand opera in South Florida – which includes two important company “firsts”: the first presentation of a zarzuela, Torroba’s Luisa Fernanda, and the first production of Puccini’s La rondine. The season will also include Verdi’s Rigoletto and Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette. To download season photos, please visit our Flickr account at www.flickr.com/photos/fgopera. Luisa Fernanda The season opens on November 12, 2011, with Federico Moreno Torroba’s zarzuela Luisa Fernanda. Zarzuela, a popular Spanish form of musical theater, incorporates both spoken dialogue and singing with decidedly operatic vocal requirements. Many of the world’s leading Spanish opera singers have appeared in and recorded zarzuelas, including Montserrat Caballé, Plácido Domingo, and José Carreras. Luisa Fernanda, which had its premiere in Madrid in 1932, is considered to be the last great romantic zarzuela. Luisa Fernanda takes place during the republican-monarchist conflicts of 1868, during which our heroine, finds herself in a romantic triangle with Javier, a dashing young army officer, and Vidal, a wealthy landowner. Luisa Fernanda is a co-production of Florida Grand Opera and SaludArte Foundation brought to South Florida directly from Madrid’s famous Teatro Real, which has also been seen at Milan’s La Scala, Washington National Opera, and Los Angeles Music Center Opera. Spanish soprano Amparo Navarro stars in the title role. Ms. Navarro, a seasoned performer of zarzuela’s leading roles, executed her last Luisa Fernanda at Madrid’s Teatro de la Zarzuela this past April, producing what Zarzuela.net called “the most stellar interpretation of her career. [We] doubt we’ll see another Luisa more exciting, passionate, and human in years.” She will be joined by tenor Antonio Gandia as Javier, conductor Pablo Mielgo as well as director Emilio Sagi. This production is made possible by a generous gift from JP Morgan Private Bank. SCHEDULE ** Sung in Spanish with English and Spanish projected translations** MIAMI ◙ Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami- Dade County / Sanford and Dolores Ziff Ballet Opera House November 12, 2011, at 7 p.m. – Opening Night; November 15, 2011, at 7 p.m. – Gala Night; November 18, 22, 23, & 26, 2011, at 8 p.m.; November 20, 2011, matinee at 2 p.m. FORT LAUDERDALE ◙ Broward Center for the Performing Arts / Au- Rene Theater December 1, 2011, at 7:30 p.m.; December 3, 2011, at 8 p.m. CASTING Luisa Fernanda ………………………………………….. Amparo Navarro * Javier ………………………………………….. Antonio Gandia * Vidal ………………………………………….. Angel Odena * Carolina ………………………………………….. Davinia Rodriguez * Mariana ………………………………………….. Raquel Pierotti * Aníbal ………………………………………….. Javier Ferrer * Rosita ………………………………………….. Rebekah Diaz * Nogales ………………………………………….. Miguel Sola * Bizco Porras ………………………………………….. David Rubiera * Vendedora ………………………………………….. Daniel Shirley ♦ Saboyano ………………………………………….. Martin Nusspaumer * Don Lucas ………………………………………….. Ryan Milstead ♦* Capitán ………………………………………….. Craig Colclough ♦ Conductor ………………………………………….. Pablo Mielgo * Director ………………………………………….. Emilio Sagi * Costume Designer ………………………………………….. Maria Jose Ojanguren * Lighting Designer ………………………………………….. Eduardo Bravo * Choreographer ………………………………………….. Nuria Castejon * Chorus Master ………………………………………….. John Keene * = FGO debut ◘ = Former Young Artist ♦ = Current Young Artist 2 La rondine The season will continue in January with Florida Grand Opera’s first production of Puccini’s La rondine. In 1913, Puccini was approached in Vienna about composing an operetta, and having come to know and admire the work of Franz Lehár, he accepted the challenge. La rondine’s premiere took place at the opera house in Monte Carlo in 1917, and although it never attained the popularity of many of Puccini’s other works, it has recently enjoyed considerable new interest, attracting leading singers in productions at major opera houses. Magda’s aria “Chi il bel sogno di Doretta” is one of Puccini’s most beautiful and is justifiably famous. La rondine means “the swallow” and refers to a prediction made early in the opera that although Magda may spread her wings in search of love and romance, she, like the swallow, will return to the life she knows. Soprano Elizabeth Caballero, an FGO favorite whose recent appearances with the company include Mimì in La bohème and the Countess in The Marriage of Figaro, will return to sing Magda. She will be joined by tenor Bruno Ribeiro as Ruggero and Corinne Winters as Lisette. Newly appointed FGO Music Director Ramon Tebar, who previously stood at the FGO podium for Lucia di Lammermoor and Turandot, will conduct this production. Nicola Bowie, who directed FGO’s 2008 La bohème, returns as the stage director for La rondine. This production is made possible by a generous gift from the Arthur F. and Alice E. Adams Foundation and the Adams Supporting Foundation. The Miami After Opera Party is sponsored by Gibraltar Private Bank. SCHEDULE **Sung in Italian with English and Spanish projected translations** MIAMI ◙ Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami- Dade County / Sanford & Dolores Ziff Ballet Opera House January 21, 2012, at 7 p.m. – Opening Night; January 24, 27, February 1 & 4, 2012 at 8 p.m.; January 29, 2012, matinee at 2 p.m. CASTING Magda ………………………………………….. Elizabeth Caballero ◘ Ruggero ………………………………………….. Bruno Ribeiro * Lisette ………………………………………….. Corinne Winters * Prunier ………………………………………….. Daniel Shirley ♦ Rambaldo ………………………………………….. Craig Colclough ♦ Yvette ………………………………………….. Brittany Robinson ♦ Bianca ………………………………………….. Lacy Sauter ♦ * Suzy ………………………………………….. Courtney McKeown ♦ Perichaud ………………………………………….. Ryan Milstead ♦ Crebillon ………………………………………….. Joo Won Kang ♦ * A Singer ………………………………………….. Lacy Sauter ♦ * Conductor ………………………………………….. Ramon Tebar Director ………………………………………….. Nicola Bowie * = FGO debut ◘ = Former Young Artist ♦ = Current Young Artist 3 Rigoletto Verdi’s Rigoletto, one of the world’s best loved operas, returns to the FGO stage since its last appearance there in 2006. Rigoletto is the story of a court jester who enables the Duke’s philandering and mocks the husbands and fathers of the victims. When he finds his own daughter, whom he has kept a well hidden secret, to be the Duke’s newest victim, he tries to repay evil with evil, and it goes horribly wrong. Baritone Mark Walters returns to FGO in the title role, following critical and audience acclaim with the company as Enrico in Lucia di Lammermoor and as Escamillo in the 2010 production of Carmen. Budding soprano Nadine Sierra makes her role and FGO debut as Gilda having played “a beguiling Tytania” in A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Boston Lyric Opera last season according to the Boston Globe. Following a debut at the Metropolitan Opera last season in Verdi’s Stiffelio, American tenor Michael Fabiano comes to FGO as the Duke of Mantua with a voice described by the New York Times as having “a warm sound, poignant colorings and pinging top notes.” FGO Resident Conductor Andrew Bisantz, who’s recent Tosca for Boston Lyric Opera was highly praised, will conduct the production, directed by former FGO Young Artist Jeff Buchman. This production is made possible by a generous gift from Stephen A. Keller and Lesleen Bolt in loving memory of Stephen. Ft. Lauderdale performances are sponsored by Mrs. Rose Miniaci. The Miami After Opera Party is sponsored by HSBC. SCHEDULE **Sung in Italian with English and Spanish projected translations** MIAMI ◙ Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami- Dade County / Sanford & Dolores Ziff Ballet Opera House January 28, 2012, at 7 p.m. – Opening Night; January 31, February 3, 8 & 11, 2012 at 8 p.m.; February 5, 2012, matinee at 2 p.m. FORT LAUDERDALE ◙ Broward Center for the Performing Arts / Au-Rene Theater February 16, 2012, at 7:30 p.m.; February 18, 2012, at 8 p.m. CASTING The Duke of Mantua ………………………………………….. Michael Fabiano * Rigoletto ………………………………………….. Mark Walters Gilda ………………………………………….. Nadine Sierra * Count Monterone ………………………………………….. Joo Won Kang ♦ Sparafulcile ………………………………………….. Ray Aceto * Maddelena ………………………………………….. Dana Beth Miller * Marullo ………………………………………….. Ryan Milstead ♦ Matteo Borsa ………………………………………….. Jason Ferrante * Count Ceprano ………………………………………….. Craig Colclough ♦ Countess Ceprano ………………………………………….. Courtney McKeown ♦ A Page ………………………………………….. Brittany Robinson ♦ Conductor ………………………………………….. Andrew Bisantz Director ………………………………………….. Jeff Buchman ◘ * = FGO debut ◘ = Former Young Artist ♦ = Current Young Artist 4 Roméo et Juliette The final production of the season will be Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette, not seen at FGO since 2004. Of the many operatic treatments of Shakespeare’s play, Gounod’s has been the most enduring, with its perfect depiction of the unrestrained passion of youth, and the bitter tragedy visited on the rival Capulet and Montague families. Soprano Sarah Coburn, last seen as Rosina in FGO’s 2010 production of The Barber of Seville, returns as Juliette. She has recently appeared with the Metropolitan Opera, Washington National Opera, Los Angeles Music Center Opera, and Seattle Opera. She will be joined by French tenor Sébastien Guèze as Roméo, who has been called by Opera News “one of the most