Donizetti's charming comedy Don Pasquale, set in the wild west of the 1800's, takes the stage in February of 2008, followed by a special concert opera in April celebrating the return of Wagner, with his masterpiece about a cursed sea captain, The Flying Dutchman. The final offering of the season is brimming with excitement, as Opera Colorado presents its first contemporary opera, the highly praised production of John Adams' Nixon in China, in June 2008.

New this season is the addition of the concert opera, which the company feels will make for a strong transition as they position themselves to grow towards an expanded number of productions per season. Russell comments, "I think this is the perfect combination of programming for a 25th anniversary season. We get to honor the success of a past production, bring back some of our favorite artists, and present a new mixture of offerings by adding a concert opera and a contemporary work. There is a lot to look forward to in the casts and stagings which bring a high level of vitality to each work."

La Traviata The beauty and grandeur of Giuseppe Verdi's tragic love story returns to Opera Colorado in a revival of the production that brought Denver audiences to their feet during the 2004 production. La Traviata opens November 9, 2007 and plays for five performances through the 18th.

Pamela Armstrong, soprano, (La Bohème, 2004; Carmen 2005) sings the lead role of Violetta. Tenor Garrett Sorenson (Metropolitan Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, Opera Theatre of St. Louis) debuts with the company in the role of her love interest, the young bourgeois Alfredo. Baritone Scott Hendricks (La Traviata, 2004; Lucia di Lammermoor, 2003) reprises his role as the elder Germont.

Opera Colorado Artistic Director James Robinson will direct this popular production which he originally conceived with Scenic Designer Bruno Schwengl. Maestro Stephen Lord (Norma, 2006; Carmen, 2005), who was recently named one of the top 25 opera artists by Opera News, will conduct. Sung in Italian with English and Spanish subtitles.

Don Pasquale Gaetano Donizetti's amusing tale of deception and disguise is transported to the wild west of America in the 1800's. This rousing version, which has toured to rave reviews across the US and Canada, hits Denver in perfect time to keep the theme of the National Western Stock Show momentum going strong!

Internationally acclaimed bass Samuel Ramey (Metropolitan Opera, Teatro alla Scala, Royal Opera, Covent Garden, Vienna Staatsoper, Opéra de Paris, Deutsche Oper Berlin) makes his long overdue debut in an Opera Colorado mainstage production with his first appearance as the elder bachelor, Don Pasquale. In addition to performing with nearly all of the world's opera houses and all of the major conductors, Mr. Ramey also holds the title of being the most recorded bass in history. Tenor Norman Reinhardt (The Magic Flute, 2006) sings the role of Pasquale's clever nephew, Ernesto.

Don Pasquale plays for five performances February 9 through 17, 2008. Maestro Stephen Lord will conduct. The production is directed by its originator, David Gately, with sets designed by Tony Fanning and costumes designed by Helen Rodgers. Sung in Italian with English and Spanish subtitles.

The Flying Dutchman Richard Wagner's musical drama about a cursed sea captain and his quest to find redemption through true love continues the 07-08 season with two spring concert performances on April 18 and 20, 2008. The Flying Dutchman will feature the foremost Wagnerian bass-baritone of his generation, James Morris (The Tales of Hoffmann, 1984; Don Giovanni, 1986), in the title role. Australian tenor Stuart Skelton (Opéra National de Paris, San Francisco Opera) makes his company debut as Erik, the huntsman. Bass-baritone Dale Travis (The Abduction from the Seraglio, 2006; Fidelio, 2000) returns to sing the role of Daland, the sea captain. Mezzo-soprano Judith Christin returns as Frau Mary. Maestro Stephen Lord will conduct the performances and the Colorado Symphony Orchestra will be featured on the Ellie Caulkins Opera House stage. Sung in German with English and Spanish subtitles.

Nixon in China John Adams' enormously successful American opera follows the President and First Lady, Richard and Pat Nixon, on their tour of China in 1972. The captivating telling of these events focuses on the six key players: the Nixons, Jiang Qing and Chairman Mao, and the two close advisors to the two parties, Henry Kissinger and Zhou Enlai. Featuring music reminiscent of American melodies and lyrical lines written in poetic styles native to China, this contemporary work is a prime example of the impressive capabilities of today's composers and librettists.

Veteran performer baritone Robert Orth (Die Fledermaus, 1996), who has sung the role numerous times and gives an uncanny performance as the President, will sing Richard Nixon. He is joined by Opera Colorado favorite, soprano Maria Kanyova (Abduction from the Seraglio, 2006; The Marriage of Figaro, 2005) as Pat Nixon. They are joined by bass-baritone Patrick Carfizzi (Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, New York City Opera) singing the role of Nixon's aide, Henry Kissinger, tenor Joseph Kaiser (Tamino in Kenneth Brannagh's The Magic Flute; Metropolitan Opera) debuts as Mao Tse-tung and coloratura soprano Tracy Dahl (Metropolitan Opera, Teatro alla Scala) as Madame Mao.

Nixon in China plays for four performances June 7 through 15, 2008 during the National Performing Arts Convention, hosted in Denver, Colorado. Maestro Marin Alsop (Music Director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Principal Conductor of the Bournemouth Symphony, Conductor Laureate of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra) will conduct. Alsop directed this particular production's debut at Opera Theatre of St. Louis; she recently won a MacArthur Foundation Genius Grant and the Classical Brit Award for Best Female Artist.

The highly acclaimed production is directed by James Robinson, who originally created the staging for its premiere at Opera Theatre of St. Louis. Scenic Designs are by Allen Moyer. Choreography is by Sean Curran. Sung in English with English and Spanish subtitles. -- www.operacolorado.org