2023 Season Brochure

CINCINNATI OPERA

Welcome

At the dawn of Cincinnati Opera’s second century, I couldn’t be more proud of our commitment to serve and engage the community through beloved opera classics while also elevating new voices and fresh perspectives.

This summer, alongside Donizetti’s soaring Scottish tragedy Lucia di Lammermoor and Rossini’s hilarious and charming The Barber of Seville, we present the world stage premiere of The Knock, which sensitively explores the suffering and strength of military families, and a compelling new production of Madame Butterfly, which tells Cio-Cio-San’s story through the lens of a modern-day fantasy.

Come join us at Music Hall as a Cincinnati Opera subscriber, and fill your summer with romance, drama, beauty and magic on a grand scale.

Lucia di Lammermoor

JUNE 22 & 24 at MUSIC HALL • 7:30 p.m.

With warmest regards,

Evans Mirageas

The Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director

TRULY. MADLY. DEEPLY. The heart wants what the heart wants. At Scotland’s Lammermoor Castle, Lucia and Edgardo are entwined in a forbidden romance. Despite their families’ age-old feud, they vow to give everything up for love. But Lucia’s disapproving brother Enrico endeavors to undo the lovers’ promise and marry Lucia off in a more lucrative pairing. The deception becomes a curse, leading Lucia and Edgardo to make terrible new vows once hope for love is lost.

Lucia • Raven McMillon

Edgardo Santiago Ballerini

Enrico • Anthony Clark Evans

Raimondo

• Griffen Hogan Tracy

Normanno • Terrence Chin-Loy

Arturo

• Sahel Salam

Alisa • Kayleigh Decker

Sung in Italian with projected English translations

Conductor • Renato Balsadonna

Stage Director Jose Maria Condemi

Costume & Scenic Designer • Philip Witcomb

Lighting Designer • Thomas C. Hase

Wig & Makeup Designer • James Geier

Chorus Master • Henri Venanzi

Illustrations Lucia di Lammermoor, The Knock, and The Barber of Seville: © Daria Petrilli - Licensee Chiara Roilo; Madame Butterfly: Daria Petrilli and Aimee Sposito Martini; Photos Evans Mirageas: Mikki Schaffner; Philip Groshong; Pride Night: Paige Pederzani

Featuring the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Cincinnati Opera Chorus Production from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music

Music by Gaetano Donizetti Libretto by Salvadore Cammarano

The Knock

JUNE 23 & 27 and JULY 5 & 7 • 7:30 p.m.

JULY 2 • 3:00 p.m.

WILKS STUDIO at MUSIC HALL

OUR HEARTS ARE ON THE LINE. A group of military wives gathers after rumors of a possible incident on the battlefront. Their husbands are fighting the war in Fallujah. Meanwhile, a young Army officer makes the long journey to their gathering place. Named for the expression military spouses use for notifications of death, The Knock explores what must be endured by the loved ones of those who serve. Based on years of interviews with real spouses of American soldiers, this new opera tells dramatic stories of heroism that often go unheard, tragedies that go far beyond the conflict.

Lt. Roberto Gonzalez • Armando Contreras

Joella “Jo” Jenner Mary-Hollis Hundley

Aishah McNair • Briana Elyse Hunter

Alto/Commanding

Officer’s Wife

Soprano 1

Soprano 2

Conductor • Stephanie Rhodes Russell

Stage Director Alison Moritz

Scenic Designer

• James Rotondo

Costume Designer

• Trevor Bowen

• Stephanie Sanchez

• Felicity Tomkins

• Erin Keesy

Sung

Lighting Designer

• Thomas C. Hase

Wig & Makeup Designer

• James Geier

The Barber of Seville

JULY 6 & 8 at MUSIC HALL • 7:30 p.m.

ROM-COM. ITALIAN STYLE. Supreme silliness ensues when Figaro, Seville’s most beloved barber, plays matchmaker for his former employer, Count Almaviva. The Count loves Rosina, but she’s the ward of the devious Doctor Bartolo, who has designs on wedding her himself. To win Rosina’s heart, the Count enlists Figaro to cook up disguises, double dealings, and deceits to fool old Bartolo and set Rosina free. Rossini’s beloved comedy reminds us that sometimes, on the path to true love, the last thing you want to be is yourself.

Figaro • Rodion Pogossov

Rosina Emily Fons

Count Almaviva Alasdair Kent

Doctor Bartolo • Peixin Chen

Don Basilio

Berta

• Nicholas Newton

• Kendra Beasley

Fiorello • Thomas Dreeze

Conductor • Christopher Allen

Stage Director Christopher Mattaliano

Scenic Designer Allen Moyer

Costume Designer • James Scott

Lighting Designer • Thomas C. Hase

Wig & Makeup Designer • James Geier

Chorus Master • Henri Venanzi

Sung in Italian with projected English translations

The Knock is a co-commission with The Glimmerglass Festival through a grant from the Mellon Foundation.

Music by Aleksandra Vrebalov Libretto by Deborah Brevoort

Featuring the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Cincinnati Opera Chorus Scenery from Minnesota Opera Costumes from Washington National Opera

Music by Gioachino Rossini Libretto by Cesare Sterbini

Madame Butterfly

JULY 22, 27 & 29 at MUSIC HALL • 7:30 p.m.

A FINAL FANTASY. We’re proud to present Puccini’s heartrending tragedy Madame Butterfly from a bold new point of view. In this groundbreaking new production created by an all-Japanese and Japanese American creative team, Butterfly’s story is transported to a fantastical modern-day realm where reality and dreams intersect. Enter the world of naval officer B.F. Pinkerton, who treats Japan as his playground. He’s taken a thousand-year lease on a house and will marry a young girl named Cio-Cio-San, known as Madame Butterfly. But is it merely a fantasy? For Butterfly, vows are not to be taken lightly. As Pinkerton’s intentions are revealed, Butterfly’s dreams become a tragedy of limitless depths with no going back.

Cio-Cio-San • Karah Son

B.F. Pinkerton Adam Smith

Suzuki • Nozomi Kato

Sharpless

• Nmon Ford

Goro • Julius Ahn

The Bonze

• Peixin Chen

Prince Yamadori

• Jacob Zhou

Kate Pinkerton Kayleigh Decker

Conductor • Keitaro Harada

Stage Director Matthew Ozawa

Scenic Designer • dots

Costume Designer

Lighting Designer

Wig Master

• Maiko Matsushima

• Yuki Nakase-Link

• James Geier

Chorus Master • Henri Venanzi

Inspired by Japanese iconography and the fantastical realms of virtual reality, manga, and anime, the hyperreal design of our thrilling new production of Madame Butterfly creates a dazzling and immersive storyscape.

Featuring the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Cincinnati Opera Chorus

A co-production of Cincinnati Opera, Detroit Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, San Diego Opera, and Utah Opera Sung in Italian with projected English translations

Music by Giacomo Puccini Libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica

Set rendering of Pinkerton’s fantasy world. Designs by dots.

COSTUME RENDERINGS by Maiko Matsushima

The creation of this production was made possible in part by the generous Sheila and Christopher Cole

Goro Cio-Cio-San

Pinkerton Scenic Designer Lighting Designer

REASONS TO SUBSCRIBE

1. The. Best. Seats.

Subscribers are at the front of the line for the best seats in the house—and we’ll save them for you to enjoy season after season.

2. Set It and Forget It

Lock in your seats and savings now and relax knowing you’re set for the summer. We’ll send you all the important details and tickets well in advance.

3. Flexibility

Want to change dates? Need an extra ticket? As a subscriber, you receive FREE and easy ticket exchanges with no fees on additional purchases all season long.

4. Guaranteed Parking

Subscribers may purchase parking in advance for $15 per performance in the Washington Park Garage or valet for $20 per performance.

5. Perks

Subscribers receive invitations to exclusive events,

Your season-ticket purchase helps to ensure that opera is part of Cincinnati’s vibrant arts community.

All performances take place at historic Music Hall.

TICKET DEADLINE: MARCH 1, 2023

Tickets to individual performances go on sale April 10, 2023.

WHO CAN LOVE OPERA? ANYONE. WHO SHOULD GET THE CHANCE? EVERYONE.

the Park

JUNE 11 at 7:30 PM

WASHINGTON PARK

The fun starts with the fan favorite Opera in the Park, our annual free alfresco concert in Washington Park. Featuring stars from the 2023 season, the Cincinnati Opera Chorus, and the Cincinnati Sym

Rehearsal

JULY 1 at 2:30 PM

MUSIC HALL

Families of children with sensory sensitivity can experience a working rehearsal of The Barber of Seville with no restrictions on movement or noise, designated quiet areas, and other accommodations. For details visit cincinnatiopera.org/sensory.

Programs

YEARROUND

Dress Rehearsal

SUMMER 2023 (BY INVITATION)

Whether in schools, at Music Hall, or in the community, Cincinnati Opera is committed to using our art form to encourage critical thinking, creative expression, and collaboration, and to inspire all through meaningful experiences with opera. Details at cincinnatiopera.org.

Each season, we invite community groups to experience the magic of opera in a fun, educational, and accessible way at our Community Open Dress Rehersal. (Attendance is by invitation.)

Beyond Mainstage cont.

Opera Raps & Insights Center Stage

Enhance your appreciation of opera with engaging and informative discussions and pre-show talks, featuring guest artists and opera experts who bring opera stories, excerpts, and behind-the-scenes insights. These delightful and informative experiences are perfect for both the opera-curious and the seasoned opera lover alike.

This dynamic group of young professionals, ages 39 and under, connect with fellow opera fans to learn more about the art form through social events throughout the year. All are welcome to enjoy events like Singers & Spirits, Opera is a Drag, and more. Visit cincinnatiopera.org/ center-stage for details.

Pride Night

Following the July 8 performance of The Barber of Seville, join the LGBTQ+ community and allies at our annual Pride Night Celebration, featuring drinks, music, and dazzling décor in Music Hall’s Corbett Tower.

Opera Goes to ChurchTM

Opera artists perform alongside vibrant community choirs and local musicians at churches and temples throughout the region for this uplifting concert series. Details for the 2023 event series are being finalized and will be announced in spring 2023. Visit cincinnatiopera.org for updates.

Season Ticket Options

1. Select Your Package

Gold—All 4 operas in Music Hall

Lucia di Lammermoor, The Knock, The Barber of Seville, and Madame Butterfly

Please indicate your preferred performance date of The Knock:

L Friday, June 23 | 7:30 p.m.

L Tuesday, June 27 | 7:30 p.m.

L Sunday, July 2 | 3:00 p.m.

L Wednesday, July 5 | 7:30 p.m.

L Friday, July 7 | 7:30 p.m.

Silver—3 mainstage operas at Music Hall

Lucia di Lammermoor, The Barber of Seville, and Madame Butterfly

2. Select Your Dates

Weeknights

Lucia on Thu., June 22

3. Seating Preference

Weekends

Lucia on Sat., June 24

Barber on Sat., July 8

Butterfly on Sat., July 22

5. Payment Information

Order by March 1 for the best seats!

Refer to the chart at right and specify your desired seating sections.

4. Complete Your Order

$ = __________ x $

$ Pre-paid parking in Washington Park Garage ($15 per performance)

$ Pre-paid valet at Music Hall ($20 per performance)

Not available for performances of The Knock

$ Make a gift to support Cincinnati Opera

$ Subscription processing fee

$ Total amount due

6.

The Cincinnati Opera Box Office will open for in-person transactions beginning Monday, April 3, 2023.

Patricia A. Corbett Estate and Trust

Harry T. Wilks Family Foundation