Tickets are available for this story of a ghostly sea captain and his quest to find redemption through love at the affordable prices of just $45 and $65 for all levels of the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. During this concert presentation, the conductor, orchestra, chorus and principal cast will be on stage. The opera will be sung in German with English and Spanish subtitles while the Figaro Subtitling System displays scene-by-scene descriptions of the action in the opera.
Premiered in 1843, The Flying Dutchman was what Wagner believed to be his first real opera, though it was actually his fourth composition. Inspired by an existing legend and his own personal travels on the sea, Wagner wrote the score and libretto with character-driven leitmotifs and an underlying stormy orchestration to add a stirring experience for the listener. The opera was originally conceived to be performed without interruption; however, Opera Colorado will present this concert version in three acts with two intermissions and a run time of approximately three hours.
Executive Director Greg Carpenter says, "The Flying Dutchman is the perfect selection for our 25th Anniversary concert opera. It is a rare opportunity for Denver audiences to hear a Wagner opera in its entirety. This is one of Wagner's shorter works and features some of his most stirring music. We have engaged an outstanding cast of internationally recognized singers and under the expert baton of Maestro Stephen Lord, these two performances will be filled with thrilling musical drama."
Experience The Flying Dutchman in an intimate concert setting that showcases the talents of opera's brightest stars. Legendary Wagnerian bass James Morris (Les Contes d'Hoffmann, 1984) will perform the title role which he has sung at the world's leading opera houses. He stars alongside Armenian soprano Hasmik Papian (Norma, 2006), who will sing the role of Senta. Bass-baritone Dale Travis (Fidelio, 2000; The Abduction from the Seraglio, 2006) sings the role of Senta's father, Daland; tenor Stuart Skelton* (San Francisco Opera, Opéra National de Paris) will portray Senta's former love, Erik. Senta's nurse, Frau Mary, will be sung by mezzo-soprano Judith Christin (The Magic Flute, 1999, 2006). The Steersman will be performed by tenor Stephen Costello* (Metropolitan Opera, Torino's Teatro Regio).
Maestro Stephen Lord (La Traviata, 2007; Norma, 2006), who was recently named one of the top 25 opera artists by Opera News, will conduct. Lord is the Music Director at both Boston Lyric Opera and Opera Theatre of St. Louis and recently made his Metropolitan Opera debut leading the Winners' Concert of the Metropolitan Opera National Council's 2008 Auditions in New York. Opera Colorado is proud to feature the Opera Colorado Chorus and the Colorado Symphony Orchestra on stage with the performers.
The Flying Dutchman Performance Schedule:
Friday, April 18, 7:30 pm
Sunday, April 20, 2:00 pm -- www.operacolorado.org
