A Season of All-New Productions
FROM THE GENERAL & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Dear Friends, I invite you to join us for Boston Lyric Opera’s 2013/14 Season, including four all-new productions and some exciting changes. The Magic Flute. Lizzie Borden. Rigoletto. I Puritani. Once again, all four productions will feature opera stars from around the world, exciting stage directors and designers, as well as rising new talents, including our own BLO Emerging Artists. The fall will see two changes for BLO. We are thrilled to launch The Opera Gala, A Season Opening Celebration in conjunction with the premiere of our new English adaptation of Mozart’s masterpiece, The Magic Flute. And new this year, BLO’s Opera Annex will move to November with a return to the Castle at the Park Plaza. Subscribers are our valued inner circle and receive: • Great Savings – Subscribers get the best seats at the lowest prices with no extra handling fees • Flexible Exchanges – Subscribers can exchange tickets between performances and from one opera to another • Special Services – Subscribers have direct access to BLO’s Audience Services team for personalized customer service Additionally, as a valued subscriber, you receive insights and event invitations to deepen your experience with opera. The Season promises exciting and rewarding opera experiences. I look forward to seeing you in the theater! Sincerely,
Esther Nelson General & Artistic Director
BLO.ORG | 617.542.6772
Mozart
OCTOBER 4, 6, 9, 11, 13 | 2013 at the Citi Performing Arts CenterSM Shubert Theatre Mozart’s magical world is unearthed when a group of college students goes on an archeological trip to the Yucatan and one is bitten by a snake. Celebrating the depth and breadth of Boston’s artistic talent, BLO has assembled a cast and creative team with national and international credentials, and roots in the Boston arts community, including Andrew Garland, Meredith Hansen, and Zach Borichevsky. This new English language adaptation by former BLO Artistic Director Leon Major, Kelley Rourke, and our own John Conklin showcases Mozart’s exuberant score. The October 4 world premiere will inaugurate The Opera Gala, A Season Opening Celebration.
OPERA ANNEX | NOVEMBER 20, 22, 23, 24 | 2013 at the CASTLE at PARK PLAZA Fall River, Massachusetts has never forgotten the infamous crime. When Lizzie Borden was arrested for the brutal murder of her father and stepmother, the New England village became the focus of the nation. The jurors at Lizzie’s trial did not deliberate long, but in the court of public opinion, debate still rages about her guilt or innocence. BLO has commissioned a new chamber version in seven scenes of Jack Beeson’s score, which reveals the disturbing power and undeniable theatricality of his opera. Christopher Alden directs this world premiere with Heather Johnson as Lizzie and Caroline Worra as her stepmother. The Boston Globe has called the Opera Annex an “increasingly essential series” and subscribers receive first access to tickets.
MARCH 14, 16, 19, 21, 23 | 2014 at the Citi Performing Arts CenterSM Shubert Theatre The Duke of Mantua is always in pursuit of his next romantic conquest. His jester Rigoletto is obsessed with protecting his innocent daughter, Gilda, from the corruption which has become a way of life in the Duke’s court. Rigoletto can lock his daughter away, but he cannot contain the passion stirring in her young heart. When a betrayed husband places a curse on the Duke and Rigoletto, a thirst for revenge leads to tragic results. This Verdi favorite and new production is set in a rich and decadent Renaissance Italy and features some of opera’s most famous arias including “La Donna è Mobile,” and “Caro Nome.” Michael Mayes, Bruce Sledge, and Morris Robinson star with Nadine Sierra singing Gilda.
MAY 2, 4, 7, 9, 11 | 2014 at the Citi Performing Arts CenterSM Shubert Theatre Elvira has been promised to one man, but loves another. When she believes the object of her affection has betrayed her, she descends into madness. Bellini’s bel canto gem unfolds during a tumultuous English civil war and features mad scenes filled with pathos and achingly beautiful music. Troy Cook and Paul Whelan are the men trying to arrange marriage for Elvira. John Tessier and Sarah Coburn, acclaimed for their roles in BLO’s The Barber of Seville, sing the roles of the lovers, with Coburn delivering the famous tour de force soprano arias.
GUARANTEE YOUR SEATS FOR NEXT SEASON IN FOUR EASY STEPS A form is enclosed for your convenience.
STEP 1: CHOOSE YOUR SERIES Four show subscription packages include VIP seating to the critically acclaimed Opera Annex with new Fall performance dates! Select your series, and enjoy full subscriber benefits, including flexible exchange.
FOUR SHOW SUBSCRIPTION THREE SHOW SUBSCRIPTION Series
The Magic Flute
Rigoletto
I Puritani
Opera Annex: Lizzie Borden*
Friday, Opening Night 7:30pm
Oct 4, 2013 ^
Mar 14, 2014
May 2, 2014
Wed, Nov 20, 2013
Sunday, 3pm
Oct 6, 2013
Mar 16, 2014
May 4, 2014
Sun, Nov 24, 2013
Wednesday, 7:30pm
Oct 9, 2013
Mar 19, 2014
May 7, 2014
Wed, Nov 20, 2013
Friday Encore, 7:30pm
Oct 11, 2013
Mar 21, 2014
May 9, 2014
Fri, Nov 22, 2013
Sunday Encore, 3pm
Oct 13, 2013
Mar 23, 2014
May 11, 2014
Sun, Nov 24, 2013
*Your Opera Annex performance may be on a different day of the week from your three Shubert performances. An Audience Service representative can assist you should you wish to exchange for another date. ^The Magic Flute Opening Night performance on October 4 will begin at 8pm for The Opera Gala.
STEP 2: CHOOSE YOUR SEATING SECTION Subscribers receive the best seats at the best prices. Section
w/Advance Annex Access
Four Shows
Three Shubert Shows
AA**
$744, incl. Cast Parties
$669, incl. Cast Parties
AA
$534
$459
A
$474
$399
B
$354
$279
C
$264
$189
D
$165
$90
**Celebrate Opening Night! Patrons who select our Opening Night series in AA section receive admission to the Opening Night Cast Parties for Rigoletto and I Puritani. All prices subject to change.
SEATING CHART Citi Performing Arts CenterSM Shubert Theatre
STEP 3: CELEBRATE OPERA New this season, join us to inaugurate The Opera Gala, A Season Opening Celebration on Friday, October 4, 2013. This annual fundraising event includes pre- and post-performance gala festivities in the grand lobby of the Citi Performing Arts CenterSM Wang Theatre, and will celebrate BLO’s new English adaptation of The Magic Flute. The Opera Gala will be a magical night infused with artistry and song, in support of BLO, its community and education programs, and its work with Emerging Artists. Sponsorship and single ticket information can be found at www.blo.org/gala or by contacting Director of Special Events and Corporate Sponsorships, Renee Dunn at 617.542.4912 x246 or rdunn@blo.org. Current Opening Night subscribers are encouraged to renew into Opening Nights and participate in Gala festivities. New Opening Night subscriptions are only available to Gala participants at this time. Subscribe to another series? Don’t worry. Individual exchanges and additional seats for the Opera Gala performance can be arranged once Gala single tickets go on sale. Check the box for additional gala information on your renewal invoice, and a BLO staff member will contact you.
A Magic Flute inspired dinner & cocktails Performance of Mozart’s The Magic Flute Post-performance Celebration A night full of surprises!
STEP 4: SUPPORT BLO How can you make a difference? Last Season: • 2,800 students and youth experienced opera ... FOR THE FIRST TIME! • 21,850 participated in education and community programs • 41,210 counted themselves as BLO audience members That’s your impact. Make a gift today to sustain a robust community for opera in Boston. Orfeo Society – named for the father of song – and Friends of BLO make up BLO’s core community of supporters. Join the Orfeo Society or Friends of BLO today, and become a part of a vibrant community of patrons whose generosity can only be surpassed by the immense beauty of the operatic art form.
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SUBSCRIBER BENEFITS THE VERY BEST SEATS Premium seats, reserved just for you. Subscribers receive priority seating access to the best seats in the house. FLEXIBLE TICKET EXCHANGES NEW! Never miss a performance when your schedule changes. Only subscribers benefit from BLO’s new ticket exchange feature allowing flexible exchanges between dates and productions. Use your Rigoletto ticket to bring a friend to I Puritani, or see The Magic Flute twice by enjoying one of the most convenient exchange policies in town. ADVANCED ACCESS TO THE OPERA ANNEX Subscribers receive a $25 discount and premium seating to BLO’s Opera Annex productions. PRIORITY RENEWAL PRIVILEGES Subscribers enjoy priority access to existing subscription seats, exchanges and upgrades. PERSONAL SERVICE WITH NO FEES Only subscribers have access to BLO’s dedicated Audience Services team for personalized service and priority seating, all free of charge. GREAT SAVINGS Subscribers receive valuable savings over the price of regular single tickets.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO PRE-PERFORMANCE LECTURES Ticket holders may enjoy a free 30-minute opera preview beginning one hour prior to each performance (see back panel for details). YOU’RE ALWAYS IN THE KNOW Performances always begin on time. Be sure to sign up for BLO subscriber emails so you’re always in-the-know about events or weather that might affect your performance. TICKET INSURANCE Lost your tickets? Subscriber tickets can be replaced prior to and on the day of the performance by calling Audience Services at 617.542.6772, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On the day of the show, pick up your replacement tickets at the Subscriber Services table in the Citi Performing Arts CenterSM Shubert Theatre lobby one hour before curtain. RESTAURANT PARTNERS Make the most of your evening downtown with special subscriber discounts at one of our valued restaurant partners. See your Subscriber Membership Card for more details. THEATRE ACCESSIBILITY Seating areas for patrons in wheelchairs (and their companions) are available on the orchestra level of the Shubert Theatre; the venue is not equipped with elevators. Please call Audience Services at 617.542.6772 one week prior to your performance to review availability.
BLO.ORG | 617.542.6772
PRIMA PRIMA is BLO’s premier social group for young professionals in their 20’s and 30’s. It is an eclectic group of people – from seasoned opera aficionados to those experiencing opera for the first time. Members are invited to postperformance parties with BLO artists and events at local hotspots. PRIMA Members have exclusive access to $25 tickets to 2nd Friday performances. Joining PRIMA is easy and free: visit blo.org/prima to register today!
PRE-PERFORMANCE LECTURES Join us for a half-hour lecture on the opera production to discover how music and design choices interact to create dynamic and evocative performances. Lectures are free to ticketholders and held in the Citi Performing Arts CenterSM Shubert Theatre before every performance. For more information about BLO’s Pre-Performance Lectures visit our website at blo.org/pre-performance-lectures.
SIGNATURE SERIES These special previews to the operas in BLO’s season take place at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and employ a variety of art forms such as film, visual arts, theater, and music in one imaginative presentation. The Signature Series is enjoyed by opera fans as well as people who are simply curious. For more information visit blo.org/learn/signature-series.