Boston Lyric Opera Launches 08-09 Season

“We are excited to present a wonderfully varied season of masterpieces featuring one rarely-performed, one less frequently performed, and one well-known opera. All three productions are new to Boston audiences and will entice and mesmerize opera aficionados and newcomers,” said BLO General Director Janice Mancini Del Sesto.

Offenbach’s Les contes d’Hoffmann: November 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 18, 2008

The poet Hoffmann recounts the pursuit of his greatest loves and how the meddling of a supernatural villain brought each affair to a bitter end. Offenbach's famous music includes the "Barcarolle," one of the most memorable melodies ever written.

• Hoffmann: Gerard Powers, tenor (2006 Madama Butterfly)
• Olympia, Antonia, Giulietta, Stella:

Playing all four roles is rising coloratura star and Boston University graduate Georgia Jarman, soprano

• Nicklausse, The Muse: Michele Losier, mezzo-soprano*
• Lindorf, Coppelius, Dr.

Miracle, Dapertutto: BLO audience favorite, Gaetan Laperriere, baritone (2005 Lucie de Lammermoor, ‘04 Tosca, ‘01 Don Carlos, ‘98 Werther)

• Offenbach, Cochenille,

Franz, Pittichinaccio: BLO audience favorite, Boston University graduate, and Medford resident Matthew DiBattista, tenor (Goro in 2006 Madama Butterfly) reprises roles performed this summer with Co-Producer Opera Theatre of St. Louis

• Conductor: Keith Lockhart (2006 Madama Butterfly, ‘04 Tosca)
• Director & Design Team: Renaud Doucet & Andre Barbe, from BLO’s critically acclaimed

Thais in 2006 The Hoffmann experience: Late 1800s-inspired glass and steel scenery paired with MC Escher-esque designs evoke the contrast between the industrial grace and grandeur of an era that created the Eiffel Tower and the unhinged delirium Hoffmann encounters in each of his affairs. Our truly talented cast has the dexterity to seamlessly transition among the various tales of this intricately woven production.

Dvorak’s Rusalka: March 20, 22, 25, 27, 29, 31, 2009

Brand new production of Dvorak's sublime yet sad fairy tale of a water nymph who longs for human love, bargains with a witch but comes up empty-handed. Best known for famous “Song to the Moon,” and music of extraordinarily sensual beauty. Rarely staged in the US – a true treat for Boston audiences!

• Rusalka: Marquita Lister, internationally-renowned soprano (2001 Salome)
• The Prince: Bryan Hymel, tenor
• Vodnik: Met regular, John Cheek, bass (2005 Eugene Onegin)
• Jezibaba: Nancy Maultsby, mezzo-soprano uses special powers like she did in 2006’s Un ballo in maschera
• Conductor: Ari Pelto (2007 La boheme)
• Stage Director: Academy Award-winner Eric Simonson
• Set Designer: Erhard Rom (2007 La boheme, ‘04 L’Italiana in Algeri, ‘02 Carmen on the Common)
• Costume Designer: Karin Kopischke
• Lighting & Projections

Designers: Robert Wierzel (1994 Werther, ‘92 Lost In The Stars) & Wendell K. Harrington create breathtaking magic with stunning technology The Rusalka experience: Breathtaking projections of nature and dream-like lighting transport audiences to a mesmerizing other-world. Co-producer Minnesota Opera reported that audiences of its recent performances were awed by the visual and musical surprises of this jewel of a production.

Mozart’s Don Giovanni: April 24, 26, 29, May 1, 3, 5, 2009

Mozart’s timeless tale of the world's most legendary lover, widely regarded as one of the greatest operas ever composed. Celebrated tragicomedy of the famous womanizer who has one last chance to repent of his philandering ways. But when he adds murder and blasphemy to his lengthy list of sins, human and supernatural forces combine to enact a terrible punishment and avenge his thousands of conquests (2,065 to be exact).

• Don Giovanni: Met regular Christopher Schaldenbrand, baritone
• Donna Anna: Susanna Phillips, soprano
• Donna Elvira: Kimwana Doner, soprano (Musetta in 2007 La boheme)
• Leporello: Matthew Burns, bass-baritone (Colline in 2007 La boheme)
• Zerlina: Wellesley native Joanna Mongiardo, soprano
• Commendatore: Ulysses Thomas, bass-baritone
• Conductor: Recent George Solti Foundation Fellow, Anthony Barrese

The Don Giovanni experience: BLO continues its tradition of diversified repertoire by following two less frequently seen productions with this audience favorite. Neither long-time nor first-time audience members should miss the stellar new cast of rising stars or the high quality touch that BLO is known for giving to Mozart classics. Schaldenbrand and Phillips earned high praise for their collaboration in the same roles in a recent Salt Lake City production.

All 2008-2009 mainstage productions will be performed in the Company’s home, the Citi Performing Arts CenterSM Shubert Theatre, 265 Tremont Street in Boston’s Theatre District. Evening performances are at 7:30pm; Sunday matinees at 3pm. In spring 2009, BLO will present Mozart’s The Magic Flute for school children and families throughout New England. This season is supported in part by The Calderwood Charitable Foundation and the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

What a coincidence: The real life person upon whom the character Hoffmann is based was a composer himself (and a writer). He wrote an opera called Undine, which is based on the same story as Rusalka. In Les contes d’Hoffmann, Hoffmann falls in love with an opera singer who is singing a soprano role in Don Giovanni. -- www.blo.org