Opera Philadelphia 2013-2014 Season Brochure

MAKE IT SING

Š Scott Suchman for Washington National Opera

Opera is the visceral made i m m e d i at e , and now h e r e better than right in our b a c k ya r d

One of the great beauties of opera is that it’s always new.

Regardless of whether you’re witnessing the performance of a 200-year-old classic or a contemporary composition on the make, the alchemy of new artistic ambitions and

interpretations–not to mention new eyes and ears–makes what happens when the house lights go down utterly unique and unrepeatable.

Even when you think you’ve seen it all, you most certainly haven’t.

Each night is not just a performance; it’s an act of magic.

This season Opera Philadelphia is celebrating the new

in a very big way. For starters, we’ve changed our public

face: first, by dropping the words “Company of ” from our name, and second, by crafting a bold and original look.

More than simply an identity change, our latest evolution is a signal that one of the country’s most venerable opera companies is able to adapt and embrace the new within a timeless art form.

And speaking of new: in addition to presenting the sixth season of the Aurora Series for Chamber Opera at the Perelman Theater, Opera Philadelphia plans to move

into the streets in exciting and unexpected ways–most notably by hosting our third season opening with

Opera on the Mall, an HD broadcast of Nabucco at

Independence National Historical Park this September.

al

But there are some things that haven’t changed. Namely, our persistent commitment to producing world-class

opera right here at home. Opera Philadelphia continues to draw internationally acclaimed artists and nurture emerging talent–many of whom have trained right here in our city.

As you look ahead to our 2013-2014 Season, know

that one thing remains clear: in opera we recognize

our own memories, our own struggle, our own conquest

and our own spirit. So on any given night, in any possible setting, Opera Philadelphia will make it sing. We cannot wait to share this incredible new season with you.

© Christopher Gabello

Join us today.

D av i d B . D e v a n General Director & President

C o r r a d o R o va r i s Jack Mulroney Music Director

i

Opera - at -

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academy

Opera demands a house worthy of its glorious sound, and few houses around the world can rival the beauty and splendor of the Academy of Music. The Academy has thrilled audiences with its exquisite aesthetics and unparalleled acoustics since 1857 and reigns supreme as America’s oldest grand opera house. Moreover, it stands as the cornerstone for the dynamic cultural life in its hometown, remaining one of the busiest halls in the world.

VERdi na b u c c o September 27, 29M, October 2, 4, 6M, 2013 Academy of music

An a n c i e n t s t o r y .

A r e v o l u t i on a r y t e l l i n g .

New co-production with Washington National Opera and The Minnesota Opera On its surface, Nabucco is about the epic struggle of the Jews suppressed by Babylon’s king. But to Italians fighting for their freedom from Austria, Verdi’s first great opera was an inspiring call to arms. In an unprecedented spectacle, Opera Philadelphia produces this beloved biblical tale with a slight twist: while the classical story unfolds on stage, 19th century opera goers join the modern day audience. The result?

Nabucco / Sebastian Catana* Abigaille / Csilla Boross* Zaccaria / Morris Robinson Ismaele / Adam Diegel* Fenena / Margaret Mezzacappa

with “Va, pensiero (The Chorus of the Hebrew

Conductor / Corrado Rovaris Director & Set Design / Thaddeus Strassberger* Costume Design / Mattie Ullrich* Lighting Design / Mark McCullough*

Slaves),” adopted as Italy’s unofficial national anthem

*Opera Philadelphia Debut

An exhilarating opera-within-an-opera as the Academy transforms into La Scala to thrill all involved, especially

shortly after Nabucco’s premiere. In celebration of Verdi’s 200th birthday and 2013 being the Year of Italian Culture in the U.S., Opera Philadelphia delivers a galvanizing, must-see production.

P e rf o rmed i n Itali an wi th En glish supert it les

CO M P A N Y PREMIERE

GOLIJOV aina d amar “ F o u n t a i n o f Te a r s ”

An O p e r a i n T h r e e I m a g e s February 7, 9M, 12, 14, 16M, 2014 Academy of music

p o e t r y i n e m o t i on .

Co-production from the Fundación Ópera de Oviedo, Festival Internacional de Música y Danza de Granada, and Festival Internacional de Música de Santander

Famed poet and playwright Federico García Lorca now stands as one of Spain’s greatest icons. But in 1936, he found himself standing in front of the firing squad at Ainadamar (“fountain of tears” in Arabic)–quite literally caught in the middle of the Spanish Civil War. In a series of rousing flashbacks, Lorca’s muse and lover Margarita Xirgu conjures up his lurid life and defiant death in this stunning production. With Argentinian composer Osvaldo Golijov's Grammy Award-winning flamenco- and rumba-infused score, Ainadamar delivers a dreamlike passion play complete with everything from bullfighting and bravado to the artist’s struggle for love and free expression.

P e rf o rmed i n spani sh wi th En glish supert it les

Margarita Xirgu / María Hinojosa Montenegro* Nuria / Carmen Romeu* Federico García Lorca / Marina Pardo* Ruiz Alonso / Alfredo Tejada* Conductor / Corrado Rovaris Director / Luis de Tavira* Set & Lighting Design / Philippe Amand Costume Design / Tolita and María Figueroa* Choreographer / Stella Arauzo* Video Design / Julián de Tavira* *Opera Philadelphia Debut

m o z art d o n gi o vanni

April 25, 27M, 30, M ay, 2 , 4 M , 2 0 1 4 academy of music

A l l h e wa n t e d wa s everything.

Production from Cincinnati Opera Who was that masked man? As the legendary rake Don Juan leaves a trail of jilted lovers and mayhem in his wake, Mozart’s alternately mischievous and harrowing masterpiece of mistaken identity reveals the charmer’s darkest side. With an ingeniously playful staging of masquerades, trapdoors and mirrored panels, witness the genre’s most infamous scoundrel in this timeless classic of comedy and tragedy. A cadre of the most prestigious alumni of the Curtis Institute of Music and the Academy of Vocal Arts come home to star in this lavish production.

Don Giovanni / Elliot Madore Donna Anna / Michelle Johnson Donna Elvira / Amanda Majeski Don Ottavio / David Portillo Leporello / Joseph Barron Zerlina / Cecelia Hall* Masetto / Wes Mason* Commendatore / Nicholas Masters* Conductor / George Manahan* Director & Set Design / Nicholas Muni Costume Design / David Burdick Lighting Design / Thomas Hase *Opera Philadelphia Debut

P e rf o rmed i n Itali an wi th En glish supert it les

"Gol ijov 's ta u t, l ush work is w id e ly v iewed as one of his b el lw e the r achiev em en ts a n d one of t his generat ion 's m ore signif ica n t c on t rib ut ions to t he art form ." — O per a N ews

"El l i o t m ad o re 's hun k y, v o c a l ly bu r n i s he d d on ma d e him a ta l ent to wat c h ." — c hi ca g o tribune

" A m u si c ally potent p ro du c ti on th at s t riv es h ar d to re m ind tod ay's a ud i enc es of wh at n a b uc c o m eant to I ta l ia n au d i enc es w he n i t was new."

— b altimor e s u n

“...An unprecedented range of activities—from a grand-opera production of verdi's nabucco to a new ricky ian gordon chamber work starring frederica von stade.”

—The P hila d elphia I n qu ir er

Top row: Images from Nabucco, © Scott Suchman for Washington National Opera Middle row: Images from Ainadamar, © Carlos Choin Bottom row: Images from Don Giovanni, © Philip Groshong for Cincinnati Opera

aurora series at t h e PERELMA N Inside the Kimmel Center's intimate 550-seat Perelman Theater is one of the most exciting laboratories in American musical performance: The Aurora Series for Chamber Opera. A perennial home to American premieres and new production launches, the Aurora Series explores a wide-ranging repertoire to electrifying effect. Ultimately, these hidden gems–including one produced in partnership with the Curtis Institute of Music's top young talent–provide a contemporary home for eclectic, highly theatrical productions that expand the boundaries of what opera makes possible.

The Aur or a Ser i es i s un d er w r i t t en b y t he W y n c o te Fou n d ati on

p o u len c d ial o g u es o f t h e c armelites

c u r t i s o p e r a t h e at r e March 5, 7, 9M, 2014 p e r e l m a n t h e at e r

The final act i s u n f o r g i va b l e .

An d u n f o r g e t t a b l e .

Curtis Institute of Music in association with Opera Philadelphia and the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts No one is immune from France’s Reign of Terror– not even a humble order of Carmelite nuns. Seized by revolutionary fervor, the country takes over the convent and condemns all of the sisters to death. Blanche, the terrified daughter of the wealthy Marquise de la Force and who recently joined the order, has the chance to escape with her life. But what would that mean for her soul? Uniquely staged to ramp up the charging drama until its riveting final act, Poulenc’s powerful,

Curtis Opera Theatre Artists Curtis Symphony Orchestra Conductor / Corrado Rovaris Director / Emma Griffin Curtis Opera Theatre Artistic Director / Mikael Eliasen

emotionally challenging 1957 opera inspired by historical events is a tale of terror, sisterhood, and inner strength.

CO M P A N Y PREMIERE

P e rf o rmed i n f r enc h wi th En glish supert it les

G o r d o n / F o glia a c o f f in in egypt

JU N E 6, 8M, 11, 13, 15M, 2014 PERELMA N THEAT e r

Some things you just c a n ’ t b u r y.

American Repertoire Program Co-commission and co-production with Houston Grand Opera 90-year-old grand dame Myrtle Bledsoe has outlived © Robert Miller

her husband, her daughters and virtually everyone else in Egypt, Texas. But in the last stage of her life, she can’t outlive the truth. Broke and alone, Myrtle must return home to finally face the music.

A haunting tale of memory and murder, racism and recrimination, Opera Philadelphia proudly

Myrtle Bledsoe / Frederica von Stade*

presents the East Coast Premiere of this one-woman

Conductor / Timothy Myers* Director / Leonard Foglia* Set & Costume Design / Riccardo Hernandez* Lighting Design / Brian Nason*

cri de coeur. Known for opera, art song, and musical theater, composer Ricky Ian Gordon provides the perfect showcase for beloved mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade. Making her Opera

*Opera Philadelphia Debut

Philadelphia debut, von Stade's formidable bravura has won her wide acclaim, including being called "one of America's finest artists and singers" by The New York Times.

P e rf o rmed i n Eng li sh wi th english supert it les

EAST CO A S T PREMIERE

S UB S C R I B E T OD AY FO R EXCLUSIVE BENEFITS

Subscribe now and sa ve up t o 52% over single t icket prices.

S u b s c r i p t i o n s s ta rt a t $18 a month– o n ly t h r o u g h A p r i l 3 .

o perap h ila . o rg 2 1 5 . 7 3 2 . 8400 © Photo courtesy of the Kimmel Center

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of

S u b s c r i b e a n d g e t t h e m os t o u t o f t h e 2 0 1 3 – 2 0 1 4 s e a son b y ta k i n g pa rt i n t h e s e f u n , i n f o r m at i v e e v e n t s .

showcases each opera this season, providing a unique opportunity to enrich your understanding and enjoyment of the season through preview recitals and panel discussions.

A Taste of Opera is held prior to the opening of each production and is hosted by Opera Philadelphia Vice President of Community Programs Michael Bolton.

A Taste of Opera

is the perfect counterpart to A Taste of Opera and will enhance your appreciation of all the operas you see this season.

These informal talks are held one hour before every performance and are free with your ticket. Talks for Opera at the Academy productions are held in the Parquet Circle level of the Academy of Music. Talks for the Aurora Series are held in Comcast Circle on Tier 1 of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.

Opera Overtures

Community Conc erts

Join Opera Philadelphia in concert throughout the region. Recently, performers from the Opera were seen at The Barnes Foundation, Woodmere Art Museum, Reform

Congregation Kenneseth Israel in Elkins Park, in collaboration with Artistas y MĂşsicos Latino Americanos and more. Recitals are performed as part of National Opera Week, in celebration of Hispanic National Heritage Month, in preparation for the holidays and to celebrate the operas of the season.

Look for community concerts at these and other venues throughout the 2013-2014 Season by visiting operaphila.org/community-concerts.

Opera o n t h e M all

Enjoy a free open-air broadcast of Opera Philadelphia's seasonopening production of Nabucco at Independence National Historical Park. Opera aficionados and firsttimers share a big screen, HD opera experience in the shadow of the Liberty Bell.

Save the Date: Saturday, S e p. 2 8

subscriber benefits Subscribe today and receive exclusive benefits and perks when you show your Subscriber Card. You’ll enjoy discounts on convenient parking, special offers at fine restaurants, discounted admission to other Philadelphia attractions, and much more.

Save up to 52% Over Single Ticket Prices You’ll receive significant savings over individual ticket prices by purchasing the entire season at once.

Bring Your Friends As a subscriber, you will get exclusive access to Private Sales, when you may purchase additional single tickets before they go on sale to the general public–and at a 10% discount.

S UB S C R I B E

Ticket Insurance We’ll replace lost or forgotten tickets in the lobby, free of charge.

E a s y , H a ss l e Free Exchanges As a subscriber, you may exchange tickets for any other performance within an opera’s run, and we’ll do our best to find you comparable seats.

The Best Seats As our most valuable customers, subscribers receive priority when it comes to seating upgrades.

T OD A Y

o perap h ila . o rg 215.732. 840 0

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Nabucco

09/27/13

09/29/13

10/02/13

10/04/13

10/06/13

Ainadamar

02/07/14

02/09/14

02/12/14

02/14/14

02/16/14

Don Giovanni

04/25/14

04/27/14

04/30/14

05/02/14

05/04/14

Please contact Subscriber Services if you are interested in discounted pricing for obstructed view and no-supertitle seating.

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$38

First Balcony Box Zone 3

$130

12%

$26

Second Balcony Zone 4

$92

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Friday

Sunday

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8 p.m.

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Dialogues of the Carmelites

03/07/14

03/09/14

03/05/14

A Coffin in Egypt

06/06/14

06/08/14

06/11/14

*Savings based on the single ticket price for Sunday performances. ^5 monthly installments available through April 3. Monthly payment plans only available with credit card purchase. 5-month payment amounts rounded up to the nearest dollar. Please note, if paying by installments, the full amount of any contribution plus an additional $10 processing fee will be charged with your first installment (SAVE 50% on fees when ordering online).

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we can't do it without you Each night is not just a performance; it's an act of magic.

Opera Philadelphia supporters Frederick R. Haas (left) and Chairman Daniel K. Meyer (right) celebrate with American Repertoire Council Director Nathan Gunn (center)

Even when productions sell out, this dazzling blend of theatrical, orchestral, and vocal artistry requires considerable support from within our community.

By joining Opera Philadelphia's donor family, you can ensure that star singers, thrilling productions and engaging community initiatives you have come to expect continue right here in our backyard.

Please consider becoming an active partner in creating the magic of opera today. As a member of our Friends or Patron Program, you'll enjoy the following benefits and privileges: Frien ds of the Opera

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