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The cast will be led by mezzo-soprano Laura Vlasak Nolen in her company debut as Giulio Cesare, and soprano Mary Dunleavy as Cleopatra, in her role and company debut. Also new to the Glimmerglass stage will be French mezzo-soprano Aurhelia Varak making her U.S. stage debut as Sesto and countertenor Gerald Thompson as Tolomeo. Mezzo-soprano Lucia Cervoni and baritone Jonathan Lasch, both members of Glimmerglass Opera's 2008 Young American Artists Program, will sing, respectively, the roles of Cornelia and Achilla.
Directed by Robin Guarino and conducted by David Stern, the production will feature costumes by Gabriel Berry and lighting by Robert Wierzel. Performances run on July 6m, 12, 14m, 20m, August 1, 5m 9, 17m, 21 and 23m (m=matinee). Handel's Giulio Cesare in Egitto will run in repertory with three other works linked to Shakespeare: Porter's Kiss Me, Kate, Wagner's Das Liebesverbot and Bellini's I Capuleti e i Montecchi. The four productions will be staged on a set inspired by an Elizabethan theater, designed by Glimmerglass Opera Associate Artistic Director John Conklin.
A new production, Giulio Cesare in Egitto will be sung in Italian with English projected titles and will run approximately three hours, including one intermission. The Glimmerglass Opera 2008 Festival Season runs July 5 to August 24. Subscriptions are on sale now, and single tickets go on sale March 10, 2008. -- www.glimmerglass.org