"This season presents an incredible opportunity to reach out to everyone with the richness of opera; from the expert to the newcomer, said Mr. Plácido Domingo, General Director. "Wagner lovers will also appreciate our commitment to expanding our offerings as we perform Der fliegende Holländer which hasn't been offered since the 19911992 season."Â
The company will present seven spectacular main stage productions in its subscription season including two new productions, three company premieres, and the third annual live simulcast to the National Mall. This will be a most audiencefriendly season for the Opera starting with a simulcast of La Bohème from the Kennedy Center to the National Mall on September 23 as the Opera's annual gift to the city of Washington. On October 5 the "Welcome to Opera" concert returns as a popular lowcost introduction to the world of opera.
"We are very excited about the season's program and the superior artists, directors, and conductors that the WNO continues to attract from all over the world, said Mr. Kenneth R. Feinberg, President of Washington National Opera. We're also very proud of the cooperation of the Kennedy Center and the city of Washington for supporting our youth and public outreach programs."Â
The 20072008 season opens with a fresh perspective on the classic favorite La Bohème. Perhaps more than any other opera, La Bohème lends itself to contemporary interpretation. The innovative Mariusz Trelinski, acclaimed director of last season's Madama Butterfly, updates Puccini's timeless tale in an extraordinary new production, following the stories of a circle of young artists who long for a deeper connection to society. Two casts offer double the excitement with the critically acclaimed Mexican tenor Arturo ChacónCruz sharing the role of Rodolfo with Vittorio Grigolo, who is proving a force in opera as well as the pop music worlds.
Our two Mimìs grace the Opera House stage - Adriana Damato and Sabina Cvilak. Washington National Opera will also present a new production of Mozart's Don Giovanni. The celebrated tragicomedy is widely regarded as the greatest opera ever composed. Erwin Schrott and Ildar Abdrazakov share the role of the famous womanizer who is given 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.
Set in postwar New York, A View from the Bridge tells the tale of Brooklyn longshoreman Eddie Carbone, whose desire for his adult niece, Catherine, leads to disaster in his community and home. WNO welcomes Catherine Malfitano, Kim Josephson, Gregory Turay, and Christina Brandes from the original Chicago production of Bolcom's stunning adaptation of Arthur Miller's melodrama.
Der fliegende Holländer opens the spring season where misfortune, greed, and fidelity collide in this stormbattered tale of one man's quest for lifesaving love. Wagner retells the nautical legend of the fearsome Flying Dutchman, cursed to sail the seas until he finds a woman who will love him until death. The title role features the incomparable Alan Held as the Dutchman, which is a role debut for this internationally acclaimed bass baritone.
In March, Rigoletto returns to Washington featuring Carlos ÃÂlvarez as the libertine Duke of Mantua's jaded jester. Joseph Calleja, direct from a recent engagement as the Duke at the Met, debuts in the same role with WNO. Rigoletto is known for sparing no one his biting and often vicious sarcasm. But when courtiers abduct his beloved daughter Gilda, performed by Lyubov Petrova, a curse and misdirected revenge bring tragedy and, eventually, Rigoletto's own undoing.
Tamerlano, Handel's rarelyperformed work, recounts the tale of a Tatar conqueror whose enslavement of the Ottoman emperor Bajazet and whose fluctuating marital intentions lead to conspiracy and suicide. Plácido Domingo makes his American debut in the pivotal role of Bajazet, and acclaimed countertenor David Daniels takes on the tyrannical Tamerlano.
The season evolves with the moving revival of Elektra with Susan Bullock lending her dramatic voice and acclaimed role interpretation, having captivated audiences at La Scala and beyond. Agamemnon, king of ancient Mycenae, has been murdered by his wife and her lover. Obsessed with her father's death, Elektra will stop at nothing until his death is avenged. When her brother returns from exile and carries out her wishes, the mental strain proves too much for her, and the opera culminates in a frenzied dance of vengeance.
To conclude the season, Washington National Opera will present Dolora Zajick and Salvatore Licitra in two staged concert performances of Mascagni's Cavalleria rusticana. Both performances will take place at the Kennedy Center Opera House in May. Operagoers will remember Salvatore from Andrea Chénier and Tosca, which presented him to the world as one the newest superstar tenors. Licitra will perform as Turridu and mezzo Dolora Zajick as Santuzza as she makes her company debut. -- www.dc-opera.org
Posted January 29th, 2007 by ruzik_tuzik
