Utah Opera 2009-10 Season Brochure

Embrace

the Romance 2009~10 Season Christopher McBeth, Artistic Director

D Dear Friends,

Opera has something to offer us all. For some it’s the visceral sound of the orchestra and human voice bringing to life the written music.

For others it may be the often intense drama of stories with characters trapped in a tragedy or connected in a delightful comedy. For yet others it is the pageantry of beautiful sets, costumes, and lighting that evokes another place in time. For me, and on some level for everyone, it is how all these elements come together, serve each other and, in a brilliant form of artistic alchemy create something greater than the sum of all the parts,

Stir your senses with

Utah Opera’s 2009-10 Season Experience the tragedy, romance, passion, and delight of some of the finest works opera has to offer. Talented artists from all over the world will bring to life the alluring and powerful leading ladies of Verdi, Bizet, Rossini, and Puccini and the men they beguile.

Let your heart sing and your spirits soar as we celebrate Opera.

which elicits an emotional reaction we wouldn’t otherwise expect.

Whichever it is for you, I invite you to join us for a season of opera by

Table of Contents

the great master composers of the art form. If any of the operas in our

2 Macbeth

2009-10 season are new to you or you want to come to the performance

5 Carmen

with a more in-depth understanding of an old favorite, join Dr. Carol

6 The Italian Girl in Algiers

Anderson one hour prior to the performance, in the theatre, for a

9 Suor Angelica & Gianni Schicchi

splendid introduction to that evening’s production. If you have

10 Utah Symphony | Utah Opera Season Schedule

questions or comments about the performance, join me and several

12 Subscriber Benefits

other passionate opera lovers in a Q & A session

16 Subscription Reservation

directly following the performance.

Christopher McBeth, Artistic Director

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Macbeth

by Giuseppe Verdi

Klauspeter Seibel Conductor

Stephanie Sundine Director

Louis Otey Macbeth

Brenda Harris Lady Macbeth

Macbeth is one of Giuseppe Verdi’s most honest, exhilarating, and fierce operas.

Of Shakespeare, Verdi wrote, “I have had him in my hands from my earliest youth, and I read and reread him continually.”

Witness in Macbeth one of Shakespeare’s strongest women, Lady Macbeth, pursuing her path of ambition and manipulation. Verdi’s haunting music will keep you riveted as the story of the ferocious couple “trusting in the prophesies of hell” unfolds.

Sung in Italian with English supertitles

October 17, 19, 21, 23 | 7:30 PM October 25 | 2 PM Capitol Theatre

Utah Opera Macbeth, 1994

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Carmen

by Georges Bizet

Never before has love been so dangerously obsessive. In Utah Opera’s explosive interpretation of the classic opera Carmen, the lines between passionate illusion and real life become intricately tangled with rejection, jealousy, mutiny, and demise. Your senses will be awakened like never before, and never again will you experience Georges Bizet’s unforgettable gypsy in quite the same way.

Sung in French with English supertitles

Ari Pelto Conductor

Garnett Bruce Director

Chad Shelton Don José

Christopher Feigum Escamillo

January 16, 18, 20, 22 | 7:30 PM January 24 | 2 PM Capitol Theatre

Utah Opera Carmen, 2001

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the Italian

by Gioacchino Rossini

Leonardo Vordoni Conductor

Patricia Weinmann Director

Leah Wool Isabella

Girl in Algiers If you enjoyed Utah Opera’s recent productions of The Barber of Seville and Cinderella, Gioacchino Rossini’s hilarious The Italian Girl in Algiers will delight you with a comic stumble of a shipwreck, missing lovers, jealous wives, and meddling servants. Rossini’s energetic melodies and comical characters will have you laughing from curtain up to curtain down.

Sung in Italian with English supertitles

Rod Nelman Mustafà

Daniel Belcher Taddeo

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March 13, 15, 17, 19 | 7:30 PM March 21 | 2 PM Capitol Theatre

Suor Angelica & Gianni Schicchi

by Giacomo Puccini

Every once in a while a trip to the opera offers “two for the price of one” — an operatic double bill. With this performance, we offer the second and third of Giacomo Puccini’s trio of one-act operas known as Il trittico.

Susanne Sheston Conductor

Kathleen Belcher Director

Suor Angelica takes you through a heart-wrenching tale of piety, passion, and penance. You’ll be on the edge of your seat as you experience the love only a mother can possess. Puccini brings us, once again, his soaring melodies and gripping vocal lines in a score that will rival your favorite works.

Jennifer Welch-Babidge Angelica

Michael Wanko Gianni Schicchi

Gianni Schicchi is a satirical farce and one of the funniest operas you’ll ever experience, packed with comedic elements such as money-grubbing relatives, fake deaths, and a frantic family. Highlighting the score is one of the best-known and most beloved arias, “O mio babbino caro.”

Sung in Italian with English supertitles

May 15, 17, 19, 21 | 7:30 PM May 23 | 2 PM Capitol Theatre

Utah Opera Gianni Schicchi, 1988

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The 2009-10 Utah Symphony | Utah Opera Season When you subscribe to Utah Opera, you not only save on your subscription tickets, but you also save 20% on additional tickets to most of these performances. Plus, as a subscriber there are no fees for exchanging your tickets. Call 801-533-NOTE (6683) for tickets. (Special events excluded, restrictions may apply.)

Date

Performance

Series

Date

Performance

Series

Sep 11 & 12

An Evening of Beethoven

masterworks a

Feb 5 & 6

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

entertainment

Sep 18 & 19

Cirque de la Symphonie

entertainment

Feb 12 & 13

DvorÁk’s “New World” Symphony

masterworks c

Sep 25 & 26

Romeo & Juliet

masterworks b

Feb 19 & 20

Keith Lockhart & Julie Albers

masterworks a

Sep 29

Salute to Youth

family

Feb 26 & 27

Van Cliburn Gold Medalist

masterworks b

Oct 9 & 10

Brahms Symphony No. 2

masterworks c

Mar 5 & 6

Mozart Violin Concerto No. 4

masterworks c

Oct 17 - 25

Macbeth

utah opera

Mar 13 – 21

The Italian Girl in Algiers

utah opera

Oct 27

Halloween High-Jinks

family

Mar 20

Mini Magic Flute

lollipops

Oct 30 & 31

Tchaikovsky’s “Pathétique”

masterworks b

Mar 26 & 27

Elgar Symphony No. 2

masterworks a

Nov 6 & 7

Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1

masterworks a

Apr 9 & 10

Verdi’s Requiem

masterworks b

Nov 13 & 14

Bravo Broadway!

entertainment

Apr 16 & 17

Pictures at an Exhibition

masterworks a

Nov 17

Play! A Video Games Symphony

special

Apr 23 & 24

Scheherazade

masterworks c

Nov 28 & 29

Messiah Sing-in

special

Apr 27

Cho’s Anatomy: Sibelius’ Fifth

family

Dec 4 & 5

Haydn’s Creation

masterworks a

Apr 30 & May 1 The Temptations

entertainment

Dec 18 & 19

Holiday Pops with Jerry!

entertainment

May 7 & 8

Saint-SaËns Piano Concerto

masterworks b

Dec 19

Here Comes Santa Claus

lollipops

May 15 – 23

Suor Angelica & Gianni Schicchi

utah opera

Jan 8 & 9

Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 2

masterworks c

May 25

All-Star Evening

family

Jan 16 - 24

Carmen

utah opera

May 28 & 29

Mahler’s “Titan”

masterworks c

Jan 29 & 30

Shostakovich’s Tenth

masterworks b

Programs and artists are subject to change.

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Subscribing has benefits Priority Seating

Your seats are always there — even for sold-out performances.

When you subscribe, you’ll have access to the best seats available because you get first choice at claiming, renewing, and upgrading your seats months before sales open to the general public.

Free Exchanges

Last-minute schedule conflicts? There’s no need to worry.

Your season tickets are as flexible as your schedule is complicated.

Subscribers can exchange their tickets for any other 2009-10 Utah Symphony | Utah Opera performance with no fees.

Simply call 801-533-6683. Exchanges are subject to availability; please give 24-hours’ notice.

Personalized Service

Whether your question is about Puccini or parking, we’re here to help. As a subscriber, you have a direct line to Subscriber Services at 801-533-6683 for individual attention to ticketing needs and questions. We have the right people in place to make your experience as easy and enjoyable as possible.

Subscriber Advantages Card

Use your Subscriber Advantages Card to claim special discounts at the area’s best restaurants, theatres, spas, book/music stores, museums, and more! Visit utahopera.org/advantages for a complete list of subscriber savings.

Exclusive Parties

Our subscribers receive invitations to Utah Symphony | Utah Opera social events, educational presentations, and special performances held throughout the year. Don’t miss our annual Sneak Peek held exclusively for subscribers including fun, food, and previews of the upcoming season.

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Subscribe today and save 20% Great Savings

With your season tickets you save 20% off the price of single tickets. Plus, you pay no additional phone or counter fees.

Single Ticket Discounts

Subscribers can purchase discounted single tickets to the Utah Opera or Utah Symphony for friends and family. To take advantage of your 20% subscriber discount, call the ticket office at 801-533-6683 starting Subscriber Week (July 27 – 31, 2009).

Some exclusions may apply.

Tax Deduction

Can’t make it to a performance? Don’t let your seat go empty. If you turn back your ticket, we will send you a receipt for the full amount to use as a tax deduction. Contact Subscriber Services at 801-533-6683 for more information.

How to Subscribe

To purchase season tickets to the 2009-10 season of Utah Opera and join our family of subscribers, return the order form included with this season brochure to the Abravanel Hall Ticket Office or call 801-533-6683.

Keeping the Music Alive Each gift makes a difference, and you can help! Join the ranks of Utah Opera supporters today. For more information about making a tax-deductible donation call 801-869-9015 or visit utahopera.org to donate online.

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Tickets are only the beginning We Speak your Language

No need to understand a foreign language to enjoy opera. All of our performances include English text projected above the stage.

Opera Preview Lecture

Join us for an enlightening Opera Preview Lecture at The City Library on the Wednesday before each opening night at 7 PM.

Opera Prelude

Half-hour introductory lectures by Dr. Carol Anderson, Principal Coach, take place in the orchestra level of Capitol Theatre one hour before curtain of each Utah Opera performance.

Also check online for further articles, study guides, and online courses.

Click the LEARN MORE button on our Website, utahopera.org, for more details.

Post-performance Q&A with Christopher McBeth

Utah Opera Artistic Director Christopher McBeth answers your questions about the opera following each performance in the Founders Room on the Mezzanine level of Capitol Theatre.

Easy Listening

Audiolink hearing devices, large-print supertitles and synopses, and Braille translation and synopses are available for all performances.

“If music be the food of love, play on.”

Twelfth Night Act I, scene i

Each season we present a festival that bridges all forms of artistic expression, providing an opportunity to explore how art defines the human experience.

This season our theme, Shakespeare in Music, is centered on Utah Opera’s production of Verdi’s Macbeth in October. We’re collaborating with local museums, art galleries, libraries, film centers, performing arts groups, and scholars to explore the rich works and world of Shakespeare. This is one festival you won’t want to miss. Visit utahopera.org/festival for details.

Vivace Season

Vivace is a funkified group of single/partnered/married persons, who just happen to get their groove on at classical concerts and opera. Vivace subscriptions are $150 and include a ticket to each Vivace performance and the after party. Call 801-533-6683 to order.

Parking

Don’t let parking concerns keep you from coming downtown.

There is ample parking available for all performances — even on the busiest weekends. Visit utahopera.org/parking to see over a dozen downtown parking options.

Group & Student Discounts

2009-10 Vivace Season

Oct 17 Jan 30 Feb 27 Apr 24 May 15

Macbeth Shostakovich’s Tenth Van Cliburn Gold Medalist Scheherazade Suor Angelica & Gianni Schicchi

Group and student discounts are available for most performances.

Call 801-533-6683 for details.

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u ta hopera.org | 801 - 533 -note

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Now is the time to reserve your seats

2009-10 Subscription Reservation Form

Please choose one day of the week on which you would like to attend all four performances and the section where you would like to sit. Remember, your tickets are flexible and you can exchange them for any 2009-10 Utah Symphony | Utah Opera performance with no fees.

Ordering your season tickets is easy!

Simply complete this form and mail to the address below, call 801-533-6683, or visit us in person at the Abravanel Hall Ticket Office.

✓Yes! I want to subscribe to Utah Opera and save 20% off single ❑ ticket prices. Please reserve my seats for the upcoming season.

Saturday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday performances start at 7:30 PM | Sunday matinees begin at 2 PM

name address

All performances are in the Capitol Theatre: 50 West 200 South, Salt Lake City, Utah

city

Seating Area

STAGE

Capitol Theatre (orchestra level)

STAGE

Capitol Theatre

(mezzanine & balcony levels)

Front Orchestra A-G Front Orchestra H-N Middle Orchestra Front Orchestra Sides A-L Middle Orchestra Sides M-V Main Floor Rear Grand Tier* Box Seats Front Mezzanine Middle Mezzanine Side Mezzanine Rear Mezzanine Balcony * Reserved

Fri|Sat|Sun $234 $202 Seniors $174 Must be 62 years $158 or older $142 $100 $68 $270* $234 $234 $174 $142 $100 $68 $52 $42

Mon|Wed $209 $180 $158 $138 $119 $78 $270* $209 $209 $158 $119 $78 $46

Seniors Must be 62 years or older

$57

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Day of the week

Seating Area

zip

phone

# of Price per Subtotal tickets ticket

1 st Choice

$

$

2nd Choice

$

$

Ticket revenue only covers 25% of our operating budget.

Please consider a contribution to Utah Opera.

Optional Contribution

$ $

❑ Check here if you require wheelchair seating. $57 $35

for Glade Peterson Society members

subscriptions include a $4 Salt Lake County Building Preservation Fee to support the Center for the Arts facilities.

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email

state

Grand Total (1st choice)

With a $2,000 tax-deductible donation you can become a member of the Glade Peterson Society. With your membership, you will be eligible to purchase two seats in the Grand Tier of the Capitol Theatre. A $3,000 donation provides membership in both the Peterson Society and Utah Symphony’s Maurice Abravanel Society. With your membership, you will also receive free parking, admission to all intermission receptions, and invitations to special events. Please call 801-869-9015 for details.

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Payment Options (choose one): ❑ check credit card: ❑ visa ❑ mastercard ❑ american express ❑ discover acct #

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signature Utah Symphony | Utah Oper a abr avanel hall ticket office: 123 west sou th temple, salt lake cit y, u t 84101 phone: 801-533-6683 fax: 801-869-9048 toll-free: 800-864-9298 hours m-f 10 am - 6 pm, sat 10 am - 2 pm u tahoper a.org/subscriptions

Reserve your seats for Utah Opera’s 2009-10 season today and save 20% on your tickets.

Details inside.

abr avanel hall ticket office: 123 west south temple, salt lake cit y, u t 84101 phone: 801-533-6683 fax: 801-869-9048 toll-free: 800-864-9298 u tahoper a.org/subscriptions u ta hopera.org | 801 - 533 -note