"It has been out of our Virginia Opera repertoire far too long," says Artistic Director Peter Mark of the opera, which was last performed by the company in 1989 and makes its return with new scenery, costumes, lighting, direction, and a powerful cast of debuting and returning artists.
Returning to direct is Stage Director Lillian Groag, who staged last season's acclaimed Virginia premiere of Agrippina, in addition to numerous other premieres and productions in past seasons.
French soprano Manon Strauss Evrard makes her company debut in the dynamic roles of all four leading ladies: Olympia, Antonia, Giulietta and Stella.
"I think that Manon Strauss Evrard is one of the most extraordinary talents I have ever heard," says Maestro Mark, who has introduced to Virginia Opera audiences over the years sopranos such as Diana Soviero, Renée Fleming, Sujung Kim, Jane Redding, and more recently Cristina Nassif. "There is no question in my mind that Manon has everything it takes for a major and remarkable international career in opera: extraordinary beauty, musicianship, vocal technique, dramatic integration, confidence, and the uniqueness of her own personality – all galvanizing attention wherever she appears."
Turkish bass sensation Burak Bilgili – whose return has been anticipated by Virginia Opera audiences since his sinister portrayal of Méphistophélès in 2005's Faust – sings the villainous roles of Lindorf, Coppélius, Dapertutto, and Dr. Miracle.
Returning in the title role as Hoffmann is tenor Dan Snyder, the former U.S. Marine and U.S. Army chorus soloist who first debuted with Virginia Opera off-stage as a young sailor's voice in 2005 during Tristan & Isolde, and later that year opened the 2005-2006 season in the leading role of Alfredo Germont for La Traviata.
Designs for the new production include the set by Erhard Rom, costumes by Martha Hally, and lighting by Mark McCullough.
Maestro Mark is scheduled to conduct all performances of the production except for the final showing in Norfolk, which will be conducted by Assistant Artistic Director Joseph Walsh. -- www.vaopera.org
