The upcoming Michigan Opera Theatre season celebrates masterworks of literature, features the staple ‘The Barber of Seville,’ and kicks off with a gala concert Sept. 29 by opera superstar Renee Fleming.
MOT’s 48th opera season will be the second under the artistic leadership of Principal Conductor Stephen Lord, and celebrates masterworks of literature turned opera, with ‘Eugene Onegin’ (Pyotr Tchaikovsky), ‘Candide’ (Leonard Bernstein) and ‘The Grapes of Wrath’ (Ricky Ian Gordon/Michael Korie).
The season also includes an opera repertoire staple, ‘The Barber of Seville’ (Gioachino Rossini), and a fairytale opera, ‘Hansel and Gretel’ (Engelbert Humperdinck).
‘I am pleased to welcome Stephen Lord back next season as Principal Conductor of Michigan Opera Theatre,’ MOT’s CEO and President Wayne S. Brown said. ‘Artists and audiences alike continue to extol their delight with his inspiring artistry.’
Of the new season, Lord said he is enthusiastic to share great operas based upon literary with MOT’s patrons.
‘Opera provides the most powerful medium with which to tell a story,’ he said. ‘The idea of taking works by Voltaire, Pushkin and Steinbeck and telling them with music is exciting.’
Based upon the classic Russian novel by Alexander Pushkin, ‘Eugene Onegin’ is a story of love and loss among oppressive social conventions. Voltaire’s French satire ‘Candide’ challenges the concept of optimism in one man’s search to find happiness through a series of mishaps. The operetta, which will feature members of the Michigan Opera Theatre Studio young artists program, is presented in celebration of composer Leonard Bernstein’s centenary.
‘The Grapes of Wrath,’ from the great American novel by John Steinbeck, tells the story of the Joad family on their struggle to survive during the 1930s Dust Bowl. The opera will be the second work by Gordon performed by MOT, following 2017’s successful production of ’27.’
The prequel to last season’s ‘The Marriage of Figaro,’ ‘The Barber of Seville’ is the story of how Count Almaviva wins the hand of his beloved Rosina, with the help of his clever barber, Figaro.
‘Hansel and Gretel,’ based on the Grimms’ fairytale, is a fantasy production featuring larger-than-life puppetry directed by award-winning puppeteer Basil Twist.
In addition to Fleming, featured artists of the season include Iurii Samoilov, Corinne Winters, Lucas Meachem, Alex Shrader, Daniela Mack, Emily Fons, Deanna Breiwick, Matthew DiBattista, Katherine Goeldner, Tobias Greenhalgh and Deborah Nansteel. Featured conductors include Lord, Anne Manson and Michael Christie. Featured directors include Tomer Zvulun, Christopher Mattaliano, Twist and James Robinson.
The 2018-19 season will also feature a single cast for all productions, performing on a Saturday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday performance schedule. The single cast allows increased rehearsal time as well as continuity for singers.
‘As part of our commitment to artistic excellence, we continually work to improve the experience for our patrons,’ said Brown. ‘These changes continue to allow Michigan Opera Theatre to attract exceptional talent, performing at their optimum level.’
The season will be complemented by special events including the return of perennial favorite, ‘Too Hot to Handel,’ and the Michigan Opera Theatre Children’s Chorus production of Dean Burry’s ‘The Secret World of Og.’
Subscriptions may be purchased online at up to 30 percent off single ticket prices. Subscription benefits also include free exchanges and exclusive access to pre-paid parking in the Opera House Parking Center. Tickets available at MichiganOpera.org, 313-237-7464 or the Detroit Opera House box office, 1526 Broadway, Detroit.
OPERA SEASON
* ‘Eugene Onegin,’ Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, composer, Oct. 13-21. Performed in Russian with English supertitles.
Compared with ‘Pride and Prejudice,’ ‘Eugene Onegin’ – based on the Russian novel by Alexander Pushkin – is a story of love and loss among oppressive social conventions. Known for its rich orchestration and beautiful melodies, ‘Onegin’ is one of Tchaikovsky’s most beloved operas and is the epitome of Russian Lyric Opera.
Production Highlights: Conducted by MOT Principal Conductor Stephen Lord, with stage direction by Tomer Zvulun. Baritone Iurii Samoilov performs title role; Soprano Corinne Winters performs Tatiana. A new co-production with Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Atlanta Opera, Hawaii Opera Theatre and Seattle Opera.
* ‘The Barber of Seville,’ Gioachino Rossini, composer, Nov. 10-18, performed in Italian with English supertitles.
‘Figaro, Figaro!’ The Rossini classic features one of the best-known pieces of music in history. As the prequel to ‘The Marriage of Figaro,’ ‘The Barber of Seville’ is the story of how Count Almaviva wins the hand of his beloved Rosina, with the help of his clever barber, Figaro. Full of laughter and beautiful music, ‘The Barber of Seville’ has delighted audiences for more than two centuries.
Production Highlights: Conductorial debut by Anne Manson, directorial debut by Christopher Mattaliano. Baritone Lucas Meachem performs Figaro; tenor Alek Shrader performs Count Almaviva; soprano Daniela Mack performs Rosina.
* ‘Candide,’ Leonard Bernstein, composer, March 9-17, performed in English with English supertitles.
The coming-of-age story follows one young man’s journey to find happiness throughout two continents of mishaps, tragedy and over-the-top disasters. The comic operetta will delight opera and musical theater fans alike!
Production Highlights: Based on Voltaire’s French satire, features performers from the Michigan Opera Theatre Studio resident artist program. The fifth opera of MOT’s annual community initiative bringing opera directly to Southeastern Michigan audiences through partnerships with community organizations. Performed at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, Macomb, (March 9) and The Berman Center for the Performing Arts, West Bloomfield (March 16-17).
* ‘Hansel and Gretel,’ Engelbert Humperdinck, composer, April 6-14, performed in German with English supertitles.
Engelbert Humperdinck’s ‘Hansel and Gretel’ is the classic fairytale as you’ve never seen it before. With puppetry by award-winning puppeteer Basil Twist, audiences enjoy a lavish production featuring flying angels, dancing gingerbread and a larger-than-life witch. This magical show is perfect for adults and children alike.
Production Highlights: Based on the classic Grimm Brothers’ fairytale, conducted by MOT Principal Conductor Stephen Lord; directed by award-winning puppeteer Basil Twist. Hansel performed by mezzo-soprano Emily Fons; Gretel performed by soprano Deanna Breiwick; witch performed by tenor Matthew DiBattista. Features lavish production of puppets and special effects.
* ‘The Grapes of Wrath,’ Ricky Ian Gordon, composer, Michael Korie, librettist, May 11-19, 2019; performed in English with English supertitles.
The heart-wrenching opera, based on the classic John Steinbeck novel, tells the story of the Joad family on their quest for survival fleeing the 1930s Dust Bowl. Featuring folksy, jazz-inspired music, ‘The Grapes of Wrath’ has been called ‘the great American opera.’
Production Highlights: Conductorial debut by Michael Christie, directed by James Robinson. Featuring mezzo-soprano Katherine Goeldner as Ma Joad, baritone Tobias Greenhalgh as Tom Joad, soprano Deanna Breiwick as Rosasharn, and mezzo-soprano Deborah Nansteel as Granma. A new co-production with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis.
* An Evening with Renee Fleming, Sept. 29.
One of the most beloved and celebrated singers of our time, soprano Renee Fleming captivates audiences with her sumptuous voice, consummate artistry, and compelling stage presence. At a White House ceremony in 2013, President Obama awarded her the National Medal of Arts, America’s highest honor for an individual artist. Winner of the 2013 Grammy Award for Best Classical Vocal Solo, she brought her voice to a vast new audience in 2014, as the first classical artist ever to sing ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ at the Super Bowl. The performance features the Michigan Opera Theatre Orchestra, conducted by MOT Principal Conductor Stephen Lord.
* Too Hot To Handel, Dec. 1.
A holiday tradition, under the baton of Suzanne Mallare Acton, this soul-stirring, toe-tapping rendition of Handel’s ‘Messiah’ never fails to bring audiences to their feet. It’s an exhilarating fusion of gospel, jazz and classical music performed by the Rackham Choir, the Too Hot Orchestra and an all-star cast of soloists. This is a celebration unlike any other. The performance features tenor Rodrick Dixon, soprano Alfreda Burke, alto Karen Marie Richardson and pianist Alvin Waddles.
* Dean Burry’s ‘The Secret World of Og,’ March 23.
The Canadian children’s classic comes to life in the opera version of the Pierre Berton novel. Performed by the Michigan Opera Theatre Children’s Chorus, the opera tells the story of a group of siblings who journey into an underground world of mushrooms in search of their baby brother. The story is a fantasy adventure the whole family can enjoy.
– Posted by Nicole M. Robertson