Experience the Joy… Experience the Music… Experience the Drama… La traviata A Young Courtesan, Destined to Die Alone... Cinderella (La Cenerentola) Wicked Stepsisters, a Prince Disguised as a Servant, and the Search for True Love. Lakmé A Fanatical Priest, a Violated Temple, and Warring Generations… The Marriage of Figaro (Le Nozze di Figaro) Sexy Servants, a Philandering Count and a Frisky Teenager… Madama Butterfly She Fell in Love…And Never Stopped Falling Season 68. Don’t Miss a Performance! www.fgo.org 2 Come as You Are... Let yourself go! You Don’t Have to Be a Snob to Have a Great Time at the Opera! People often have the misconception that to enjoy the For most performances you’ll find people are dressed opera you must be a classical music expert, wear a tuxedo, casually and elegantly, in true South Florida style. So don’t or be a snob to have a great time. Nothing could be further obsess over how you look. Just make sure you’re fabulous! from the truth. In fact, a night at the opera is a fun, relaxing chance for you to socialize with friends, see some amazing You don’t have to be an expert… performances, and experience some of the most beautiful music you will ever hear. One hour before every performance FGO’s own “secret weapon,” Justin Moss gives his famous opera talks. Justin Don’t worry about the languages… is an opera savant, but he speaks your language. He’ll give you some background on the composer, explain their While it is true that many operas are sung in Italian, French, inspiration for writing the opera, and give you an overview and other languages, you won’t miss a beat. You’ll find a of the plot. screen above the stage offering titles in both English and Justin can take the most complex arrangements and explain Spanish at every FGO performance. Operas are usually sung it in a way you can understand. He also lets you know in the language in which they were originally composed, about any special scenes, melodies, arias (solos) or duets because the musical values of certain syllables are not you’ll want to pay special attention for. You’ll get a real preserved if you translate to other languages. (That’s why “behind the scenes” feel for what will happen that evening, you will hear Parisians conversing in perfect Italian in La which will increase your enjoyment of the performance traviata, for instance.) immensely. And there are no pop quizzes afterward either. Opera is drama set to music, and both add to your So just concentrate on getting to the opera house on time, enjoyment. So just glance at the titles to know what is and relish the fascinating costumes, spectacular sets, and being conveyed. If you are not used to it, this may be a bit breathtaking music! distracting at first, but without them you would get much less of the story. After a while reading the titles becomes automatic. (And when the chorus or other singers repeat the same lyrics over and over, the titles cease in order to let you concentrate on the music.) Also, each performance has a synopsis, broken down by acts, letting you know what is happening all the time. Take a few minutes to read this before each act, and then you won’t get so wrapped up in following the plot that you don’t pay attention to the music. You can just relax and enjoy the music! Tux and tails not required… At FGO it’s all about the music. And transporting you to that magical place that only an evening at the opera can deliver. So don’t think you need a tuxedo or formal evening gown to attend. (Although you’re more than welcome to.) You don’t. WARNING: Be advised however, if you show up in Crocs, or sandals with socks, you may be detained by the fashion police! We do offer the chance to attend Opening Night Galas and Black Tie after parties, but you decide if you want to be FGO’s own “secret weapon,” Justin Moss conducts his famous a part of those. If you do choose to attend these special opera talks one hour before each performance. These behind- events, you’ll find they are a wonderful way to network and the-scenes previews of the productions give you background fellowship with the cast members, celebrities, and a “who’s information about the composer, the plot structure, and who” of area leaders. alerts you to special music to listen for. They allow you to understand, appreciate, and enjoy the performance more. 3 Message from the Maestro Welcome to Season 68, a canvas rich in drama, romance, and adventure. It opens and closes with two of opera’s “top ten,” both with tragic heroines, and each with a variation on the timeless theme of salvation through love. Puccini’s Madama Butterfly is based on an unlikely but true story from 19th century Japan, and contains one of my personal favorite love duets, with music full of passion and yearning. Verdi’s La traviata contrasts brilliant party music and romantic love duets with scenes of despair and tragedy. The duet between the heroine, Violetta, and her lover’s father, is surely what must be one of the finest creations in 19th century opera. By way of contrast, Rossini’s La Cenerentola provides us with an irreverent and Monty Pythonesque take on the Cinderella story. The title role is written for a mezzo-soprano with formidable coloratura abilities, and throughout the opera we are carried along on a musical wave of breathless energy and zany humor. The play on which Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro is based caused a scandal at its premiere. In poking fun at the upper class, it was seen as politically inflammatory, and was banned in Vienna where Mozart lived most of his life. In the opera, with its depiction of Cherubino’s adolescent sexuality, the nobility of the Countess, the temperamental and philandering nature of the Count, and the quick- wittedness of Figaro and his fiancée, Mozart gives us music of genuine hilarity and pathos, where human foibles are exposed and ultimately forgiven. And finally, at the heart of the season there is something of a rarity for South Florida audiences. Léo Delibes’ ravishingly beautiful music for Lakmé contains one of the most beautiful duets for soprano and mezzo ever written, and the amazing “Bell Song” is surely one of the most difficult coloratura arias ever penned. Set in the exotic location of British Colonial India, Lakmé is a tale of two people caught in a struggle between duty to country, religion, and love. Season 68 will be amazing. I do hope you’ll be a part of it! - Stewart Robertson Stewart Robertson has served as Music Director for Florida Grand Opera for ten seasons. He’s conducted New York City Opera productions that were nationally televised on LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER, and his recording of The Mines of Sulphur was nominated for a Grammy, for best opera recording. 4 The Coolest Night of Entertainment in Town More Captivating than a Hollywood Movie… More Powerful than a Broadway Show… More Magical than an Ordinary Concert… Experience the Adventure of Live Opera! When you want an escape from The season continues with La You may want to see this one more the grind of work, traffic, and Cenerentola, Rossini’s charming than once! monotony, there is no better way opera based on the fairy-tale to put some excitement in your Cinderella. This opera features Check out our special subscription life than spending a night with mezzo-soprano Jennifer Rivera in offers, because by subscribing to our talented artists of Florida the title role, sharing it with mezzo the full season, you can attend all Grand Opera. No matter which Julie Boulianne, and dashing five shows for the price of four. performance you attend, you’ll Canadian tenor Frédéric Antoun as There is no better way to enjoy experience heart-stopping drama, Prince Ramiro. Bring someone you the opera than by having your gorgeous costumes, beautiful sets, love! regular seats guaranteed for each and the most breathtaking music production. you’ve ever heard! Lakmé, is a lush, romantic story set in India. We haven’t done this So just say ‘no’ to another boring Whether you’re out on a first date, wonderful opera since 1964. It night of dreary television, renting celebrating your anniversary, or features the famous “Bell Song,” DVDs, or surfing the Net. simply enjoying a night out with which will be sung in the return of And say ‘yes’ to a friends, there isn’t a cooler way to South Florida’s favorite diva: Leah night of adventure spend an evening in South Florida. Partridge. Lakmé also features the at the Opera! Season 68 promises to be our Met’s celebrated baritone, Aaron best yet. St. Clair Nicholson. March offers - Robert Heuer the return of soprano Kelly Kaduce General Director We open with a new production as the Countess in Mozart’s classic, and CEO of Verdi’s La traviata, with sets The Marriage of Figaro. Kelly will and costumes designed by Allen alternate in the role with Elizabeth Charles Klein and directed by Caballero, who you probably Bliss Hebert, whose spectacular remember as Mimì in our last production of Aida launched production of La bohème. Figaro our inaugural season at the new is one of the greatest operas ever opera house. Met tenor Stephen written, offering some of the most Costello, stars as Alfredo, and famous arias and duets you will alternating in the role of Violetta ever enjoy.