AT THE ARONOFF CENTER
20 16 SEASON
CINCINNATI OPERA JUNE 16–JULY 29
4-OPERA PACKAGES AS LOW AS $104 SUBSCRIBE NOW!
cincinnatiopera.org
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ocated in the heart of downtown, the Aronoff Center for the Arts is home to the Broadway Series and Cincinnati Ballet. The complex features two theaters— the 2500-seat Procter & Gamble Hall (shown here) and the 400-seat JarsonKaplan Theater. Built in 1995, the Aronoff was designed to accommodate both amplified and unamplified performances, and based on our acoustic tests, it does so spectacularly. We invite you to join us for our 96th anniversary season, and experience it for yourself!
From the Artistic Director Dear friend, Welcome to Cincinnati Opera’s summer of “new”! New performance spaces, new productions, and a brand-new opera— these are just a few of the highlights of our groundbreaking 2016 season (our 96th!), and we can’t wait to share it with you. Here’s what’s in store: A SPARKLING NEW VENUE
While our beloved home, Music Hall, undergoes renovation, our 2016 and 2017 performances move downtown to the Aronoff Center for the Arts. The Aronoff ’s inviting and acoustically rich theater spaces, modern conveniences, and vibrant location offer us wonderful new opportunities for the presentation of grand opera, and we think you’ll be absolutely delighted by the experience. FOUR ALL-NEW PRODUCTIONS & ALL-STAR CASTS
We’re proud to present an extraordinary lineup of four beautiful productions: Johann Strauss, Jr.’s effervescent operetta Die Fledermaus; the world premiere of Fellow Travelers, chronicling a secret love affair during the McCarthy era; Fidelio, Beethoven’s soul-stirring paean to love and freedom; and a sumptuous new production of Puccini’s beloved classic, Tosca. SUBSCRIBER PERKS
Subscribers receive priority access to excellent seats and a host of exclusive benefits, including reserved parking, discounted ticket offers, and insider invitations. Don’t miss your chance to enjoy all that’s new—subscribe today!
Evans Mirageas The Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director
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Subscribe today and see all that’s new!
The season kicks off with a sparkling new production of Die Fledermaus (June 16 & 18).
Nicole Cabell: “[Her] tone is liquid gold.” –Opera News
Christine Goerke: “A multi-hued miracle of gale-force power.” –Wall Street Journal
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Italian tenor Marcello Giordani sings with “ringing power and sweeping fervor.” –New York Times
While Music Hall undergoes renovation, Cincinnati Opera’s 2016 and 2017 seasons will move downtown to the vibrant Aronoff Center for the Arts.
Aaron Blake: “A vocal powerhouse.” –Los Angeles Times
Become a subscriber & get great perks! 1
THE VIP EXPERIENCE
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OUTSTANDING SAVINGS
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YOUR SEATS—EVERY YEAR
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FREE AND FLEXIBLE EXCHANGES
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RESERVED PARKING
Subscribers get to see it all and are first in line for seating selection, season updates, and other special deals.
Want great seats when we return to Music Hall for our 2018 season? Be sure to subscribe today!
A discount on every ticket! Subscribers receive up to 10% off regular prices.
Love your seats? Only subscribers may renew them from one season to the next. Subscribers will also receive first choice of seats when we return to Music Hall in 2018.
If your schedule changes, it’s easy to exchange your seats by phone for another performance or production. For example, if you would like to exchange your Tosca ticket for another Fidelio ticket, just give us a call! Free for subscribers.
Want to bring a friend? Buy additional seats to any performance for 15% off regular ticket prices.
Guarantee access to one of several lots and valet services convenient to the Aronoff Center. Your price: just $10 per performance. Ask us for more information. ORDER NOW! See page 13 for details.
What’s Inside: 2016 Season Die Fledermaus .............................. 5 Fellow Travelers ............................. 7 Fidelio............................................9 Tosca ...........................................11 How to Subscribe.............................. 13
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Johann Strauss, Jr.
DIE FLEDERMAUS June 16 & 18
Aronoff Center • Procter & Gamble Hall
An effervescent and delightful confection, Johann Strauss, Jr.’s beloved operetta Die Fledermaus waltzes right into your heart with infectious charm, witty repartee, and gorgeous, delightful melodies. The cunning Dr. Falke decides to play a joke on his friend Eisenstein … a little light revenge for a wild night of carousing gone awry. As his scheme unfolds, subplots hilariously pile up, eventually converging at a lavish masquerade ball hosted by a Russian prince. Deceptions and disguises among friends and lovers give way to affection, laughter, and—as any happy ending should— champagne for all! Our lavish new production, inspired by the Academy Award-winning film The Grand Budapest Hotel, evokes a colorful, genteel Vienna of the 1930s. Cincinnati Opera audience favorite Nicole Cabell, called “simply radiant” by the Associated Press, leads an agile and exciting ensemble cast.
A DAZZLING COMIC OPERETTA
DIE FLEDERMAUS
Music by Johann Strauss, Jr. Libretto by Carl Haffner and Richard Genée Rosalinde Nicole Cabell Adele Nicole Haslett Eisenstein Zach Borichevsky Prince Orlofsky Kelley O’Connor Alfred Alek Shrader Dr. Falke Hadleigh Adams Frank Thomas Dreeze Conductor David Charles Abell Stage Director Robin Guarino Scenic Designer Allen Moyer Costume Designer Candice Donnelly Lighting Designer Thomas C. Hase Hair & Make-up Designer James Geier Chorus Master Henri Venanzi Choreographer Sarah Hairston Sung in English with projected titles Performance length: 2 hours and 45 minutes A new co-production with Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music English translation of the original German libretto by Robin Guarino and David Pountney
Thursday, June 16 at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 18 at 7:30 p.m. ARONOFF CENTER PROCTER & GAMBLE HALL Nicole Cabell Rosalinde
Nicole Haslett Adele
Zach Borichevsky Eisenstein
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WORLD
PREMIERE
Gregory Spears & Greg Pierce
FELLOW TRAVELERS June 17–July 10
Aronoff Center • Jarson-Kaplan Theater
At the height of the McCarthy era in 1950s Washington, D.C., recent college grad Timothy Laughlin is eager to join the crusade against Communism. A chance encounter with handsome State Department official Hawkins Fuller leads to Tim’s first job—and his first love affair with a man. Drawn into a maelstrom of deceit, Tim struggles to reconcile his political convictions and his forbidden love for Fuller—an entanglement that will end in a stunning act of betrayal. Cincinnati Opera is proud to present the world premiere of this heartrending opera by one of today’s leading composers, Gregory Spears, whose work has been called “astonishingly beautiful” (The New York Times) and “coolly entrancing” (The New Yorker). Playwright Greg Pierce has adapted Thomas Mallon’s searing historical novel into an opera with the style of Mad Men and the political intrigue of House of Cards. Presented in partnership with the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Developed & co-commissioned by G. Sterling Zinsmeyer
LIMITED AVAILABILITY— SUBSCRIBE NOW FOR SEATS!
FELLOW TRAVELERS Music by Gregory Spears Libretto by Greg Pierce Based on the novel by Thomas Mallon
Timothy Laughlin Aaron Blake Hawkins Fuller Joseph Lattanzi Mary Johnson Devon Guthrie Senator Charles Potter/General Arlie/ Bartender Vernon Hartman Senator Joseph McCarthy/Estonian Frank/Interrogator Philip Cutlip Tommy McIntyre Paul Scholten Potter’s Assistant/Bookseller/Priest/ Technician Christian Pursell Miss Lightfoot Alexandra Schoeny Lucy Talya Lieberman Conductor Mark Gibson Stage Director Kevin Newbury Scenic Designer Victoria Tzykun Costume Designer Paul Carey Lighting Designer Thomas C. Hase Hair & Make-up Designer James Geier Sung in English with projected titles Performance length: 2 hours and 15 minutes A new production by Cincinnati Opera As with many operas, this new work deals with adult subject matter.
Friday, June 17 at 7:30 p.m.* Sunday, June 19 at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, June 23 at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 25 at 7:30 p.m.* Tuesday, June 28 at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 30 at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 8 at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 10 at 3:00 p.m.
ARONOFF CENTER JARSON-KAPLAN THEATER Aaron Blake Timothy Laughlin
Joseph Lattanzi Hawkins Fuller
*Limited availability
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Ludwig van Beethoven
FIDELIO July 7 & 9
Aronoff Center • Procter & Gamble Hall
A FRESH TAKE ON BEETHOVEN’S TRANSCENDENT OPERA
When wrongfully imprisoned and condemned to a certain death, Florestan has but one hope left: his adoring wife, Leonore.
FIDELIO
Music by Ludwig van Beethoven Libretto by Joseph Sonnleithner
It took a decade for Beethoven to complete his only opera, Fidelio, and his fierce musical genius permeates this thrilling ode to freedom, featuring soaring arias, heartpounding choruses, and a glorious, uplifting finale. Our new production transports the opera to the present, connecting the story to an ongoing struggle for justice that “could be taking place in any number of regimes today” (Seattle Times).
Leonore Christine Goerke Florestan Russell Thomas Don Pizarro Nmon Ford Rocco Nathan Stark Marzelline Laura Tatulescu Don Fernando Daniel Sutin Jacquino Thomas Blondelle Conductor Jun Märkl Stage Director Chris Alexander Scenic Designer Robert Dahlstrom Costume Designer Rebecca Senske Lighting Designer Thomas C. Hase Hair & Make-up Designer James Geier Chorus Master Henri Venanzi
Starring as Leonore is celebrated soprano Christine Goerke, who brings her “blazing soprano” of “gale-force power and sheen” (Wall Street Journal) to the heroic title role. She’s joined by stentorian tenor Russell Thomas, who offers singing of “ardent expression and spine-tingling high notes” (Cincinnati Enquirer) as Florestan.
Sung in German with projected translation Performance length: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Thursday, July 7 at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 9 at 7:30 p.m.
ARONOFF CENTER PROCTER & GAMBLE HALL Christine Goerke Leonore
Russell Thomas Florestan
Nmon Ford Don Pizarro
Nathan Stark Rocco
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A NEW PRODUCTION
CREATED BY CINCINNATI OPERA
Giacomo Puccini
TOSCA July 23, 27 & 29
Aronoff Center • Procter & Gamble Hall
One of the best-loved operas of all time, Tosca soars with high-stakes drama and exhilarating music, including Tosca’s sweeping aria “Vissi d’arte,” one of Puccini’s most thrilling creations. We’re proud to premiere a brand-new, period production featuring sumptuous sets and costumes from acclaimed designer Robert Perdziola (Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Francisco Opera, Santa Fe Opera).
TOSCA
Music by Giacomo Puccini Libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica ˆ
The fiery diva Tosca, great star of the Roman stage, is desired by two men: Cavaradossi, the painter who loves her sincerely, and Scarpia, the police chief who longs to possess her. With her lover’s life on the line, Tosca must submit to Scarpia’s repulsive proposition … until she sees the knife.
A STUNNING, BRAND-NEW PRODUCTION OF PUCCINI’S CLASSIC
Floria Tosca Evelina Dobraceva Mario Cavaradossi Marcello Giordani Baron Scarpia Gordon Hawkins Cesare Angelotti Evan Boyer A Sacristan Thomas Hammons Spoletta Marco Cammarota Conductor Christopher Allen Stage Director Jose Maria Condemi Scenic & Costume Designer Robert Perdziola Lighting Designer Thomas C. Hase Hair & Make-up Designer James Geier Chorus Master Henri Venanzi Sung in Italian with projected translation Performance length: 3 hours
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Evelina Dobraceva, a soprano with a “gleaming, focused, and powerful” (The New York Times) voice, leads the cast in the title role. Metropolitan Opera regular Marcello Giordani brings his “stunning, easy top notes” (Opera News) as her ardent lover, Cavaradossi. The menacing villain Scarpia will be sung by Cincinnati Opera favorite Gordon Hawkins.
Saturday, July 23 at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 27 at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 29 at 7:30 p.m.
ARONOFF CENTER PROCTER & GAMBLE HALL ˆ
Evelina Dobraceva Marcello Giordani Gordon Hawkins Floria Tosca Cavaradossi Baron Scarpia
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Subscription Prices & Seating Chart Series Options
ARONOFF CENTER PROCTER & GAMBLE HALL
2. Weekend Series
1. Weekday Series
Die Fledermaus: June 16 at 7:30 p.m. Fellow Travelers*: See dates on p. 8 Fidelio: July 7 at 7:30 p.m. Tosca: July 27 at 7:30 p.m.
Die Fledermaus: June 18 at 7:30 p.m. Fellow Travelers*: See dates on p. 8 Fidelio: July 9 at 7:30 p.m. Tosca: July 23 at 7:30 p.m.
*Performances held at the Jarson-Kaplan Theater
Subscription Packages ARONOFF CENTER FOR THE ARTS
PRICE
PROCTER & GAMBLE HALL
l Price Level A
$ 594
l Price Level B
$437
l Price Level C
$356
l Price Level D
$248
l Price Level E
$ 176
l Price Level F
$104
Note: Subscriptions include four tickets—three at the Procter & Gamble Hall (Die Fledermaus, Fidelio, and Tosca) and one at the Jarson-Kaplan Theater (Fellow Travelers).
LOGE
ORCHESTRA
Helpful Notes • • • •
Additional fees: There is a $10 handling fee per order, and the Aronoff Center charges a facility fee of $3 per ticket ($12 per subscription). Ask us about pre-paid parking—it’s available at $10 per show. When you call, consider a contribution in support of Opera performances for the community. For payment, we accept personal checks, MasterCard, VISA, American Express, and Discover.
Opera titles, artists, and performance dates/times subject to change. Please visit cincinnatiopera.org for updates.
Illustrations Catrin Welz-Stein Photos p. 1 Aronoff Center’s Procter & Gamble Hall: Cincinnati Arts Association; p. 2 Evans Mirageas: Philip Groshong; p. 3 Die Fledermaus: IU Jacobs School of Music; Nicole Cabell: Erika Dufour; Marcello Giordani: Kristin Hoebermann; Christine Goerke: Pierre Gautreau; Aronoff Center: Cincinnati Arts Association; Aaron Blake: Matt Madison-Clark; p. 14 Cincinnati Opera’s 2011 production of The Magic Flute: Philip Groshong Back Cover IU Jacobs School of Music
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THE MAGIC
is about to begin.
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xperience the magic of opera— the beauty of the music, stories that touch your heart, renowned opera stars in 4 grand summertime productions, wonderful pre-performance lectures, and a wildly appreciative audience. Make the summer of 2016 sparkle with a subscription to Cincinnati Opera. Call (513) 241-2742. We’re ready to take your order or answer any questions you might have.
Box Office Hours: M–F 10 a.m.–5 p.m. • (513) 241-2742
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Season Funder:
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July 23, 27 & 29
Tosca
July 7 & 9
Fidelio
June 17–July 10
Fellow Travelers
WORLD PREMIERE
June 16 & 18
Die Fledermaus
2016 SEASON
30 Garfield Place • Suite 800 Cincinnati, OH 45202
Additional Support:
“Spectacular” –Opera News
Patricia A. Corbett Estate and Trust
The Corbett Foundation
“A night of sheer fun” –Cincinnati Enquirer
“A cast of magnificent voices.” –Cincinnati Enquirer
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Patricia K. Beggs, The Harry Fath General Director & CEO Evans Mirageas, The Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director
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