2014 Season Subscription Brochure

cincinnati opera

2014 season • June 12–July 27

ALL 4 OPERAS FOR $99 SUBSCRIBE TODAY AND SAVE!

A Cincinnati Opera Summer

Carmen opens the season in a bold and beautiful production.

Opera in the Park, a free concert of opera favorites, takes place June 8 in Washington Park.

Artists work behind the scenes to bring each opera to life.

From the Artistic Director Dear arts lover, There’s something about opera that shoots straight to the heart. With emotion so visceral, theater so engrossing, and music so resplendent, opera transports you—and transforms you. And once you’re hooked, seeing one just isn’t enough.

This is why I invite you to subscribe to our 2014 season, which features four powerful stories told through music: The evertantalizing Carmen, in a vibrant production never before seen in Cincinnati. The regional premiere of the sweeping wartime drama Silent Night. La Calisto, a rarely-performed gem from the Baroque era, presented in a clever new production. And to close, the beautiful, heartrending Madame Butterfly.

Subscribe today, and set your plans for an unforgettable summer.

See you at the opera!

Evans Mirageas The Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director

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Georges Bizet

CARMEN

June 12, 14 & 20 at 7:30 p.m.

June 22 at 3:00 p.m.

Music Hall

A Beautiful, New-To-Cincinnati Production

If desire is the spark of love,

then Carmen has ignited a thousand infernos. The mysterious Spanish beauty is an untamed spirit— hypnotic in her allure, coolly crushing hearts. When she tangles with José, an unsuspecting soldier, he’s blindsided, then spellbound, and soon, utterly obsessed. What begins as flirtation descends into something sinister ... something from which Carmen may never escape.

There’s a reason Carmen has endured as an all-time favorite—with one dazzling tune after another, Carmen never fails to satisfy. Our vibrant, new-to-Cincinnati production stars Stacey Rishoi in the title role, a singer admired for her “seductive appearance and acting” and “voice of fine beauty” (Opera News). As Carmen’s spurned lover, Don José, William Burden offers “emotional range, high notes, and lyricism” (Chicago Tribune). Daniel Okulitch, “full of swagger and rich, virile tone” (Opera Canada), is the cocky toreador, Escamillo.

Jessica Rivera shares her “poised, beautiful singing” (Boston Herald ) as José’s trusting fiancée, Micaela.

CARMEN

Music by Georges Bizet Libretto by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy Carmen Stacey Rishoi Don José William Burden Micaela Jessica Rivera Escamillo Daniel Okulitch Frasquita Alexandra Schoeny Zuniga Nathan Stark El Dancairo Sumner Thompson El Remendado Aaron Blake Moralès Joseph Lattanzi

the opera

Stacey Rishoi Carmen

William Burden Don José

Jessica Rivera Micaela

Conductor Marc Piollet Stage Director Alain Gauthier Scenic Designer Allen Charles Klein Costume Designer Dean Brown Lighting Designer Thomas C. Hase Choreographer Jeff Rebudal Hair & Make-up Designer

James D. Geier Chorus Master Henri Venanzi Sung in French with projected translation.

Performance length: 3 hours and 15 minutes

Thursday, June 12 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, June 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 22 at 3:00 p.m.

Music Hall

Daniel Okulitch Escamillo

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Kevin Puts & Mark Campbell

Silent Night July 10 & 12 at 7:30 p.m.

Music Hall

Christmas Eve, 1914, Europe’s

Western Front. Bloodied from battle and mourning the dead, soldiers lament a seemingly endless war.

As evening sets in, a carol begins, floating softly over the trenches.

One voice becomes many, and would-be enemies lay down their arms to celebrate a precious night of peace and hope. the opera Cincinnati Opera proudly honors the centenary of World War I with Silent Night, an inspiring new opera drawn from true events and based on the 2005 film Joyeux Noël. The Associated Press hailed Kevin Puts’s sweeping score as “reminiscent of Britten, Poulenc, and even Puccini.” Our extraordinary ensemble features Thomas Blondelle as Sprink, a German opera singer conscripted into fighting, who reaches across the trenches with song. Erin Wall, possessing a voice of “radiance, pristine beauty, and tingling top notes” (Financial Times), is Anna, Sprink’s beloved. Phillip Addis, Craig Irvin, and Gabriel Preisser portray opposing military officers struggling to cope with war’s atrocities.

Erin Wall Anna Sørensen

Phillip Addis Lt. Audebert

Silent Night

Music by Kevin Puts Libretto by Mark Campbell Anna Sørensen Erin Wall Nikolaus Sprink Thomas Blondelle Lieutenant Audebert Phillip Addis Lieutenant Horstmayer Craig Irvin Lieutenant Gordon Gabriel Preisser Ponchel Andrew Wilkowske Jonathan Dale Thomas Glenn William Dale Tyler Alessi Kronprinz Thomas Cooley British Major Thomas Dreeze French General Kenneth Shaw

Conductor David Charles Abell Stage Director Eric Simonson Scenic Designer Francis O’Connor Costume Designer Kärin Kopischke Lighting Designer Marcus Dillard Projection Designer Andrzej Goulding Hair & Make-up Designer James D. Geier Chorus Master Henri Venanzi Sung in English, French, German, and Italian with projected translation.

Performance length: 2 hours and 25 minutes

Thursday, July 10 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 12 at 7:30 p.m.

Music Hall

Scenery and costumes for Silent Night were constructed at The Minnesota Opera and are jointly owned by The Minnesota Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Opera Philadelphia, and Fort Worth Opera.

Thomas Blondelle Nikolaus Sprink

WINNER OF THE 2012 PULITZER PRIZE FOR MUSIC

Craig Irvin Lt. Horstmayer

Gabriel Preisser Lt. Gordon

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Francesco Cavalli

La Calisto July 17, 20, 23 & 25 at 7:30 p.m.

July 27 at 3:00 p.m.

SCPA’s Corbett Theater

Based on a myth from Ovid’s

Metamorphoses, La Calisto delights with comic twists fit for Shakespeare and music inspired by the heavens.

Jove, ruler of the gods, sets his sights on the beautiful nymph Calisto. But she—a devotee of the goddess Diana—is sworn to die a virgin. Undeterred, Jove hatches a plan to wend his way into her heart (and her bed) by donning a disguise. But when Jove’s wife catches wind of the scheme, neither god nor mortal can know how far her fury will go. the oPEra With its “combination of catchy musical numbers” and “overtly sensuous storyline” (NPR), La Calisto is a charming Baroque gem. It’s presented here in a new production, our second at SCPA’s intimate Corbett Theater, conceived by the same team behind our nearly sold-out showing of Galileo Galilei (2013). An international cast joins the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the early music ensemble Catacoustic Consort in realizing Cavalli’s colorful and exhilarating score.

Nathalie Paulin Calisto

Jennifer Johnson Cano Diana

Alexandra Deshorties Juno

Michael Maniaci Endymion

A COMPANY PREMIERE IN A New Production

La Calisto

Music by Francesco Cavalli Libretto by Giovanni Faustini Calisto Nathalie Paulin Diana Jennifer Johnson Cano Juno Alexandra Deshorties Endymion Michael Maniaci Jove Daniel Okulitch Satyr Alisa Jordheim Mercury Andrew Garland Linfea Thomas Michael Allen Pan Aaron Blake Sylvan Nathan Stark

Conductor David Bates Stage Director Ted Huffman Scenic Designer David A. Centers Costume Designer Rebecca Senske Lighting Designer Thomas C. Hase Choreographer Zack Winokur Hair & Make-up Designer James D. Geier Sung in Italian with projected translation.

Performance length: 2 hours and 15 minutes

Thursday, July 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, July 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, July 23 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, July 25 at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, July 27 at 3:00 p.m.

SCPA’s Corbett Theater

Daniel Okulitch Jove

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Giacomo Puccini

MAdame

butterfly July 24 & 26 at 7:30 p.m.

Music Hall

One of the world’s best-loved

operas, Madame Butterfly is also one of the most achingly beautiful.

A naïve young geisha, Cio-Cio-San, falls for a handsome U.S. naval officer, who loves her and leaves, promising to return. For three years, she waits. Then, one fine day, he does return. And for a moment, Cio-Cio-San is triumphant, blind to the heartbreak that awaits her. the opera We’re thrilled to present Italian soprano Maria Luigia Borsi in the title role.

Following her Music Hall debut in Otello (2010), the Cincinnati Enquirer hailed her “affecting performance and breathtaking vocal prowess,” declaring that “the opera world has a new star.” Shawn Mathey, a regular at Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Francisco Opera, and Washington National Opera, brings his “honeyed tenor” (Chicago Classical Review) to the role of the rakish American officer, Pinkerton. Spanish conductor Ramón Tebar leads the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra through Puccini’s stirring score.

SURE TO SELL OUT! SUBSCRIBE TO SECURE YOUR SEATS

MAdame Butterfly Music by Giacomo Puccini Libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica

Cio-Cio-San Maria Luigia Borsi Pinkerton Shawn Mathey Suzuki Kelley O’Connor Sharpless Roberto de Candia Goro Steven Cole The Bonze Reginald Smith, Jr. Prince Yamadori Joseph Lattanzi Kate Pinkerton Adria Caffaro

Conductor Ramón Tebar Stage Director Marc Verzatt Scenic Designer Paul Shortt Costume Designer Dean Brown Lighting Designer Thomas C. Hase Hair & Make-up Designer James D. Geier Chorus Master Henri Venanzi Sung in Italian with projected translation.

Performance length: 3 hours and 10 minutes

Thursday, July 24 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 26 at 7:30 p.m.

Music Hall

Maria Luigia Borsi Cio-Cio-San

Shawn Mathey Pinkerton

Kelley O’Connor Suzuki

Roberto de Candia Steven Cole Sharpless Goro

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Meet the Stars of the Season

Stacey Rishoi: “[She] nearly stole the

show with a performance that was convincing and unwavering from start to finish.” –Washington Post

Erin Wall: “Her glamour is magnetic.” –The Guardian (U.K.)

Belgian tenor Thomas Blondelle makes his U.S. debut in Silent Night.

Nathalie Paulin sings with “sensuality and spirit, sailing through pages of ornate coloratura.” –Chicago Tribune

William Burden: “Subdued emotional intensity permeates every line of [his] elegant singing.” –New York Times

Maria Luigia Borsi: “[She] has a show-stealing air about her, with her grace, beauty, animation, and a variety in the voice.” –Sunday Times (U.K.)

Daniel Okulitch: “The irresistible focus of attention every second he’s on stage.”

–Vancouver Sun

Subscription Options

BEST !

VALUE

The 4-Opera Package

Enjoy the full Cincinnati Opera experience with a 4-Opera Package, which includes tickets to each 2014 season production: Carmen, Silent Night, La Calisto, and Madame Butterfly.

Your benefits: 1. Your summer plans are set! Receive first access to the best seats at a discounted price as compared to single tickets.

2. Reserved parking in the Washington Park Garage. (Contact us for more information.)

3. Unlimited free ticket exchanges throughout the 2014 season.

4. 15% discount on additional ticket purchases.

5. Love your seats? 4-Opera subscribers may renew them from year to year.

3-Opera and 2-Opera Packages Pick any three or any two operas, and receive a discount off single ticket prices.

Your benefits: 1. Early access to great seats at a great price.

2. Free ticket exchanges from one performance to another of the same production.

Please note: Subscription purchases will be processed in the following order: 4-Opera Packages, 3-Opera Packages, and 2-Opera Packages.

Subscribe Today!

(513) 241-2742

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Seating & Prices MUSIC HALL

Corbett Theater at SCPA

1243 Elm Street

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108 West Central Parkway F

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4-Opera Packages MUSIC HALL

Price

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$580

l A2

$480

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$410

l A4

$320

lB

$250

lC

$170

lD

$99

Includes one SCPA A-level ticket Includes one SCPA A-level ticket Includes one SCPA A-level ticket Includes one SCPA A-level ticket Includes one SCPA B-level ticket Includes one SCPA C-level ticket Includes one SCPA D-level ticket

4-Opera weekdays

Carmen • June 12 Silent Night • July 10 La Calisto (choose one) July 17, July 20, July 23, July 25, or July 27 Madame Butterfly • July 24 4-Opera weekends

Carmen • June 14 Silent Night • July 12 La Calisto (choose one) July 17, July 20, July 23, July 25, or July 27 Madame Butterfly • July 26

3-Opera & 2-Opera Packages Multiple dates available. Prices range from $50 to $489.

Please call (513) 241-2742 for details.

Order Now!

Call (513) 241-2742

Opera titles, artists, and performance dates/times subject to change. Please visit www.cincinnatiopera.org for the latest info.

Illustrations Catrin Welz-Stein Photos p.1: Carmen: Jeff Roffman/The Atlanta Opera; all other photos: Philip Groshong; p. 2 Evans Mirageas: Philip Groshong; p.11: Stacey Rishoi: Philip Groshong; Thomas Blondelle: Foto Schenk; Nathalie Paulin: Sébastien Ventura; Erin Wall: Alexander Vasiljev; William Burden: Simon Pauly; Maria Luigia Borsi: Benjamin Ealovega; Daniel Okulitch: Rob Daly; p.12 Music Hall: Philip Groshong; Back Cover: Dominic Mercier/Opera Philadelphia.

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Priority Reservation Form ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Name ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Street Address City / State / Zip ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Preferred Phone E-Mail Address

Package QTY. Music Hall Music Hall Select

LEVEL Floor LA CAListo

(A1, A2, etc.) (ORCH or BALC)

PRICE Subtotal

DATE

L 4-opera Weekday

$ $

L 4-opera Weekend

$ $

L 3-Opera

Available for purchase by phone only. Please call (513) 241-2742.

L 2-Opera

Available for purchase by phone only. Please call (513) 241-2742.

subtotal $

Please consider a $50 contribution to support Cincinnati Opera. $

HaNdling fee $

Total Due $

10.00

Method of Payment

L Check enclosed. (Please make payable to Cincinnati Opera.)

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A Cincinnati Opera ticketing specialist will email you to confirm your order. Questions or special seating needs?

Please call (513) 241-2742.

4 ways to order

By Phone (513) 241-2742

By FAX (513) 768-5551

Box Office Hours: Mon–Fri 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

By Mail or in person Cincinnati Opera Attn: Box Office 1243 Elm Street Cincinnati, OH 45202

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Season Presenting Sponsor:

Subscribe today and save!

July 24 & 26

Madame Butterfly

Season Funder:

July 17, 20, 23, 25 & 27m

La Calisto

July 10 & 12

Silent Night

June 12, 14, 20 & 22m

Carmen

2014 Summer Festival

Music Hall • 1243 Elm Street Cincinnati, OH 45202

Patricia K. Beggs, General Director & CEO Evans Mirageas, The Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director

Preferred Healthcare Provider:

The Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund

Additional Support:

Cincinnati Opera presents the regional premiere of Silent Night.

– Music in Cincinnati

“The cast ... was superlative, the

production stunning, and the

Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra ... a luxury ensemble in the pit.”

“Transcendent beauty which won’t be soon forgotten.” –Cincinnati Enquirer

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